Registration

Nature Trails Day 2026

Join University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists on Saturday, September 19 at COMLARA Park for Nature Trails Day 2026! This fun-filled family event offers opportunities to hike the trails, learn up close about owl pellets, and engage in hands-on activities to explore the environment around us. This event costs only $10.00 per family or group (up to 10 people), which includes a hiking kit to take home! With your choice of sessions, you can pick what interests you most! Check out the Session Descriptions to read about all the fun options.

Event schedule:
9:00-9:30: Registration
9:30-10:30: Activity Session 1
10:45-11:45: Activity Session 2
11:45 – 12:15: Lunch
12:15-1:00 Activity Session 3

Session Descriptions

Native Plants & Pollinators: Learn about native plants & the pollinators they support. (Aimed toward adults and older youth.)
Owl Pellet Exploration: Dissect an owl pellet to learn about what owls eat and how they live! (for all ages)
Trailside Explorers: Explore several nature activity stations set up along the trail (for all ages)
Tree & Habitat Hike: Hike the trails and learn about the different tree species in the area and what makes each special. (Aimed toward adults & older youth.)
Youth Fishing: Join Scout leaders as they teach youth participants the basics of fishing! (Limited youth fishing poles will be available.)
- Note: youth aged 16 and older must have a fishing license to participate.
A special presentation by Illinois Raptor Center and their Great-horned Owl ambassador will round out the day's activities!

Lunch boxes from Avanti’s are available for purchase with your registration to enjoy during the lunch session between Activity Sessions 2 & 3!

Note: This is not a drop-off event. Adult supervision is required for all youth participants.

Please dress appropriately for the weather & outdoors including: long pants, a jacket with long sleeves, closed toe shoes, a hat, sunglasses, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray as needed.

Advanced registration is highly encouraged. Walk-ins will be permitted, but some activity sessions are limited. Payment for walk-in group registrations can be made using the online registration form, check, or cash payments.

If you have any questions or need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Ivy Craig at craig10@illinois.edu or call our office at 309-663-8306.

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Optional: This will automatically fill in your contact details for a faster registration.

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

I would love to register for Nature Trails Day! There is a registration fee of $10 per group (up to 10 participants per group)

Sign us up! ($10.00)

For family or group registrations, please list additional names and ages. (up to 9 additional people per registration)

I grant the University of Illinois Extension, irrevocable permission to record and/or disclose my identity, image, and voice arising out of documenting programs and to use, reproduce and distribute such in whole or in part in video and/or sound recordings, films, photographs, transparencies, webpages, social media, local news media or any other media for any purpose on behalf of the University and Extension without compensations to me and without any right for me to inspect or approve of the finished photograph, video, or audio recordings or other recordings.

Yes

No (I will notify an Extension staff member the day of the event)

How many hiking kits does your party request? Hiking kits come in a reusable drawstring bag and include resources such as COMLARA trail map, carabiner compass, insect repellent band, Leave No Trace cards, mini 1st aid kit, journal & pencil, and tick safety cards. Families are encouraged one kit per child. Groups without children are encouraged one per adult. Kits are available while supplies last.

Select your Session 1 Activity for 9:30 – 10:30. Enter the number of individuals in your group who will be attending which session activity.

Native Plants & Pollinators

[0 of 25 filled]

Owl Pellet Exploration

[0 of 40 filled]

Trailside Explorers

[0 of 50 filled]

Tree & Habitat Hike

[0 of 20 filled]

Youth Fishing

[0 of 20 filled]

I will not participate in a planned activity during this session.

[0 of 150 filled]

Select your Session 2 Activity for 10:45 – 11:45. Enter the number of individuals in your group who will be attending which session activity.

Native Plants & Pollinators

[0 of 25 filled]

Owl Pellet Exploration

[0 of 40 filled]

Trailside Explorers

[0 of 50 filled]

Tree & Habitat Hike

[0 of 20 filled]

Youth Fishing

[0 of 20 filled]

I will not participate in a planned activity during this session.

[0 of 100 filled]

Select your Session 3 Activity for 12:15 – 1:00. Enter the number of individuals in your group who will be attending which session activity.

Illinois Raptor Center - Great-horned Owl Presentation

[0 of 150 filled]

I will not participate in a planned activity during this session.

Would you like to order a lunch box from Avanti's? (Box includes: 1/3 gondola (veggie or standard), Ruffles potato chips, & a chocolate chip cookie)

Gondola lunch box ($6.85)

Veggie gondola lunch box ($7.15)

No, I would not like to order any lunch boxes.

Have you attended Nature Trails Day before?

Yes, I have previously attended!

No, this if my first time.

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.

Gender

Ethnicity

Race

Refund Policy

Refunds for group cancellations will only be available through September 4. Please contact our office at 309-663-8306 with any questions. Cancellations received after this date or no-shows on the day of the event will not be eligible for a refund.

If the event is cancelled due to weather, a full refund will be issued.

Thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ivy Craig at craig10@illinois.edu or call our office at 309-663-8306.

Total Registration Cost $

Illinois Extension

Registration

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Phone: 217-333-5900