Fourth Annual Earth Day Celebration

Name: Fourth Annual Earth Day Celebration
Start: 2026-04-24T17:30:00-05:00
End: 2026-04-24T20:30:00-05:00
Location: Hoogland Center for the Arts

Schedule

Fri Apr 24 2026 at 05:30 pm to 08:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Hoogland Center for the Arts | Springfield, IL

The Nature Conservancy’s Randy Smith will tell the ongoing story of the Emiquon Preserve, a 6,700-acre wetland restoration along the Illinois River. More than 25 years after the initial vision, Emiquon is one of the Midwest’s most remarkable ecological success stories, providing a haven for wildlife and guiding restoration efforts around the world.
Free Event - No registration necessary
Third floor of the Hoogland Center for the Arts

5:30 - 7:00
Social hour with appetizers, cash bar, display tables, and nature-themed art exhibit by the Sangamon Watercolor Society
7:00 - 8:30
Presentation by Randy Smith, Illinois River Project Director for The Nature Conservancy, followed by Q&A
Plus:
• Native tree giveaway by The Tree Advocates
• Interactive art installation. “Two Futures: Losing Time to Save Illinois Wetlands” will travel from its unveiling at the state capitol for display at this event. This large-scale hourglass sculpture, commissioned by the Illinois Environmental Council, contrasts a thriving wetland ecosystem with degraded landscape and symbolizes the consequences of weakened wetland protections.
This collaborative event is a gift to the community from: Friends of the Sangamon Valley, Illinois Environmental Council, Illinois Native Plant Society - Central Chapter, Lincoln Memorial Garden, Menard County Trails & Greenways, Sangamon Watercolor Society, and the Springfield Audubon Society with generous support from Vera Herst.