All Events
From guided bird walks to interactive learning sessions and meetings, the Champaign County Audubon Society offers a variety of regular events throughout the year (although we typically take off the summer!).
Volunteer Event: Invasive Plant Removal & Tree Planting
CCAS volunteers are invited to help the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) remove invasive plants from Homer Lake Forest Preserve and plant some small trees!
Volunteers should wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Folks should also bring their own work gloves, if they wish, and a refillable water bottle.
Meet at the Oak Ridge Trailhead parking lot (last parking lot before the boat house) at 10:00 AM. View map of meeting spot.
Please contact CCAS Conservation Chair Zak Sutton (zaksutton2@gmail.com) with any questions.
Volunteer Seed Collection Event
Join the staff of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District for a volunteer seed collection event at Homer Lake Forest Preserve.
Help collect native seed that will be used in future restorations around the preserves. All tools provided.
Long pants and closed-toe shoes required. All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Questions: ewilliams@ccfpd.org
Volunteer Event: Invasive Woody Removal
CCAS volunteers are invited to help the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) remove woody invasive plants from Homer Lake Forest Preserve! Work will likely take place along the Oak Ridge Trail or the Timberdoodle Trail.
CCFPD will supply all the tools and provide a cooler to refill water bottles.
Volunteers should wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Folks should also bring their own work gloves, if they wish, and a refillable water bottle.
Meet at the Interpretive Center parking lot at 9:00 AM.
Please contact CCAS Conservation Chair Zak Sutton (zaksutton2@gmail.com) with any questions.
Volunteer Event: Invasive Woody Removal
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) will be removing invasive species, such as autumn olive, honeysuckle, and Callery pear. Weather pending, they will likely have a burn pile so wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a little smoky and follow the arrow signs once you enter the preserve. CCFPD will supply all the tools.
Meet at the Interpretive Center parking lot at 10:00 AM.
For more information, visit: https://ccfpd.org/events/details/volunteer-eventinvasive-woody-removal-2
Note: CCFPD has set up another volunteer event specifically for CCAS members on April 13, 2024!
Please contact CCAS Conservation Chair Zak Sutton (zaksutton2@gmail.com) with any questions.
CCAS Volunteer Planting Day
Come help the Champaign County Audubon Society (CCAS) and Urbana Park District improve habitat for birds!
CCAS is asking for volunteers to help plant live stakes of native bird-friendly shrubs at Crystal Lake Park. This is very low-intensity work that can have a huge impact for birds, no skill or experience needed!
Meet at the Anita Purves parking lot at 9:00 AM.
Please contact CCAS Conservation Chair Zak Sutton (zaksutton2@gmail.com) to sign-up or with any questions.
Boneyard Creek Community Day
Please help the birds that use our creeks as their home by signing up to volunteer with the Boneyard Creek Community Day on April 22!
When registering, consider selecting the Anita Purves - Busey Woods/Crystal Lake Area location.
For details or to sign up, visit: http://www.boneyardcreek.org/index.html#register
The deadline to register online is April 17.
Ongoing CCAS Events
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Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Guided bird walks are held on Sunday mornings during the spring and fall migration seasons: March through May and September through October.
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Spring Bird-a-Thon
Held each year in May, the Bird-a-Thon is our annual fundraiser. It starts the Sunday after the Illinois Spring Bird Count and lasts one week.
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Christmas Bird Count
The National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) provides a rich dataset that scientists have used to learn about trends in bird populations since 1900!