BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension's Illinois Grand Prairie Master Naturalists will hold their annual Trails Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 1 at Sugar Grove Nature Center. The event is free and open to the public so plan a family outing and spend National Trails Day outside with nature.

This year we have speakers, special guests and awesome activity stations planned including a visit from University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic for both a raptor session at 10:30 a.m. followed by a mammal program at 11 a.m. Other scheduled appearances include Illinois Weather at 11:30 a.m., Sugar Grove Nature Center animal feeding session at Noon, Miller Park Zoo mammal program at 1 p.m., and ending the day hearing all about the History of the Funks Grove area at 2 p.m.

And no worries, we have many nature-related activities to fill the day that focuses on hiking, nature crafts, honeybees & bird learning, first aid, trail safety, and more outdoor learning activities for both adults, and children. Participants are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch and stay all day to take advantage of as many activities as possible. Think you will forget your lunch? Bring some cash along as we will have food vendors available for the first time this year.

Sugar Grove Nature Center has over seven miles of hiking trails where participants can enjoy the diversity of plants and animals that live in the prairie, woodland, and savanna habitats. Guided hikes will take hikers along creeks and streams where birds and butterflies fly, toads hop, fish swim, herons hunt, and beavers are busy building dams. So plan ahead as you will not want to miss out on this year's "Mystery Trail." Sugar Grove Nature Center is located at 4532 N. 725 E. Rd, McLean, IL 61754.

University of Illinois Extension's Master Naturalist program provides science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards. For questions and more information about this event, location or becoming a Master Naturalist, follow go.illinois.edu/LMW and click on Find à Events Calendar or feel free to contact Sherry Thomas, University of Illinois Extension Ag & Natural Resources program coordinator for Livingston, McLean, and Woodford Counties at (309) 663-8306.

You can also search Events on Facebook for Funks Grove National Trails Day Celebration.