Wild Roots Nature Center

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Wild Roots Nature Center Our mission is to inspire conservation of nature through education and stewardship, cultivating connections between people and place.

Formerly Severson Dells Nature Center The Nature Center is located on the grounds of the Severson Dells Forest Preserve.

Ready to hit the trails? Join us for a casual stroll through Severson Dells Forest Preserve on Tuesday, October 20th, 10...
10/13/2026

Ready to hit the trails? Join us for a casual stroll through Severson Dells Forest Preserve on Tuesday, October 20th, 10am-11:30am. Tuesday Walking Group is a great opportunity to meet someone know, get some exercise, and enjoy a beautiful day in nature. We hope to see you there!

This is a free event, but please register so we know you're coming! https://wildrootsnaturecenter.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/event-detail?event=9767

Noticed some changed in The Grove? The music pod is getting some much need TLC! Work should conclude by the end of this ...
10/12/2026

Noticed some changed in The Grove? The music pod is getting some much need TLC! Work should conclude by the end of this week. The rest of The Grove remains open for exploration and play. Please use caution as the team is at work!

Nature is an inspiration for so many of us! RPS 205 middle school student artists are ready to showcase that inspiration...
10/12/2026

Nature is an inspiration for so many of us! RPS 205 middle school student artists are ready to showcase that inspiration at the "Rooted in the Prairie" art show on November 13th and 14th!

Whether you are a casual admirer of the arts, an artist yourself, or anyone in between, we encourage you to join us in November to support these young artists and their visions of the prairie.

This event is free and does not require registration. We'll be posting updates in our Facebook event page found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1623541085953730

Did you know today is both World Mental Health Day and World Migratory Birds Day? While it might be unassuming, these da...
10/10/2026

Did you know today is both World Mental Health Day and World Migratory Birds Day? While it might be unassuming, these days are interwoven in more ways than one. Learn all about these connected days in our most recent blog: https://www.WildRootsNatureCenter.org/World-Mental-Health-And-Migratory-Birds-Day

Birding is great for your mental health, so we invite you to step outside, spot some birds, and enjoy the sunshine! Find any birds today? Let us know in the comments below!

Calling all homeschoolers! We've got an exciting series of homeschool days this fall and we'd love to have you join us. ...
10/09/2026

Calling all homeschoolers! We've got an exciting series of homeschool days this fall and we'd love to have you join us.

Our fall programs are:
- October 15: Sensible Seeds
- November 19: Handy Hibernation
- December 17: Clever Clouds

Times, topics, and age groups vary. More information and registration can be found at https://www.WildRootsNatureCenter.org/Homeschool-Programs

Another school year means another round of AmeriCorps Volunteers are joining our team! We've got four new faces for you ...
10/08/2026

Another school year means another round of AmeriCorps Volunteers are joining our team! We've got four new faces for you to meet!

Starting off, we've got Brynn, joining us from the Dakotas. Learn more about Brynn in her introduction blog: https://www.WildRootsNatureCenter.org/Meet-Brynn

Help us welcome Brynn in the comments below and don't forget to say hi next time you visit Wild Roots!

Ready to be active, get your hands dirty, and have fun while doing it? We have the perfect opportunity for you! Our rest...
10/07/2026

Ready to be active, get your hands dirty, and have fun while doing it? We have the perfect opportunity for you!

Our restoration workdays invite you to join us for a beginner-friendly experience that introduces you to restoration work. On Saturday, October 10th from 9am to 12pm, you'll learn about honeysuckle, how to identify it, and how to eradicate this invasive species from our native woodlands.

No experience or event registration is necessary! Just bring yourself, a water bottle, and dress in layers. If you have any questions, give us a call at (815) 335-2915 or email Liz Wiener at [email protected]

Have you ever been mesmerized by a funky fungi while taking a hike? What did you want to know about the mushroom when yo...
10/06/2026

Have you ever been mesmerized by a funky fungi while taking a hike? What did you want to know about the mushroom when you came upon it?

With hundreds of mushrooms to learn about, take the first step and join us for our introductory Mushroom Foraging Hike on Sunday, October 11th, 2-3:30pm. Joined by Ben King of the Madison Mycological Society and Bill Springer of Iconic Fungi, we'll take a short hike to see what's growing here at Wild Roots!

Register today: https://wildrootsnaturecenter.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/event-detail?event=9653

Thank you to everyone that came out and enjoyed the fall weather at Science Saturday: Celebration of Indigenous People o...
10/05/2026

Thank you to everyone that came out and enjoyed the fall weather at Science Saturday: Celebration of Indigenous People on Saturday, October 3rd! It was such an incredible experience to learn from Indigenous elders! Plus, a special thank you to our partners at the Native American Awareness Committee (NAAC) for bringing their culture, experiences, and knowledge to Wild Roots.

Did you attend? Tell us what your favorite part was in the comments, or share pictures from the day!

Be sure to join us next month for Science Saturday: Predator Prey Party on November 7th!

Spook the Dells is fast approaching on October 17th at 6pm. Did we mention there will be LIVE animals? Nocturnal animals...
10/05/2026

Spook the Dells is fast approaching on October 17th at 6pm. Did we mention there will be LIVE animals? Nocturnal animals will join us from Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education and Lisa's Little Rescue.

Live animals are sponsored in honor of Dr. Carl Hartman, opossum reproduction researcher.

Let us know you're coming by registering today: https://wildrootsnaturecenter.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/event-detail?event=9633

Address

8786 Montague Road
Rockford, IL
61102

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm
Saturday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18153352915

Website

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