Lifelong Learning

4-H Can Construction

Sign up your group for this fun, interactive food drive to benefit local food pantries! As a 4-H club, FFA Club, or other community organization, gather canned goods and non-perishable food items. Then, meet in the L-Atrium at Shawnee Community College in Ullin November 16-17 from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. to construct a sculpture or exhibit using the non-perishable foods! Constructed food displays will be available for public viewing on November 18, and awards will be announced November 19 on Facebook!

All donated foods will be boxed up by 2026-2027 4-H Teen Leaders on November 19. Please encourage clubs/community to participate in this 4-H Food drive, by dropping off non perishable donations to the offices by November 15, not building a CAN Construction design! Registration closes November 2nd.

Boo at the Slough

Vultures, snapping turtles, and cottonmouths, oh my! Are you wanting to learn more about creatures of the swamp? Come out to the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center on Sunday, October 25 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. for Boo at the Slough. Hike the Egret Slough Trail behind the center for a trick-or-treat adventure! Meet Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners disguised as swamp animals like spiders, crows, and snakes to learn more about these misunderstood creatures of the swamp through games, activities, and crafts. Families are invited to this free event designed for youth ages 5-12! Youth are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume and bring a trick-or-treat bucket or bag for prizes. Because this is a station-based program, you can come anytime between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. The event will run rain or shine; if there is inclement weather we will move the event indoors. Registration is recommended but not required. Call the Wetlands Center at 618-657-2064 to sign up.

Fall Trash Blasts

Join us November 6 at Iron Mountain  as USDA, Shawnee National Forest Service, Friends of the Shawnee, and Illinois Extension partner to host our annual Trash Blasts in 2026. The teams will meet the first Friday of every month,  from March through June and September through October from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at various locations in the Shawnee National Forest.  Fore more information, contact Anne Townsend