Join us for an adventure of a nighttime and experience the Park at night!
Look and learn about local wildlife, meditate or hear ghost stories - every hike you will learn something different! For many hikes you will get to use red light flashlights while searching for wildlife to protect nocturnal species from light pollution and cause less disruption of their natural behaviors.
Go hike on Night Lights and Winged Wonder with guest presenter, Mark DuBois from Central Illinois Insect Society.
Did you know that nearly 1,200 species of moths have been recorded in Peoria County — just in Peoria County alone? And moths are only the beginning! Many other kinds of insects are drawn to lights after dark. What surprising creatures might appear when we flip the switch?
Here’s something even more amazing: there’s actually a genus of moths named after the city of Peoria — and we may get the chance to observe members of the genus Peoria during our evening together. Right here at home! Even more exciting, scientists believe there could be as many as 15 moth species new to science in Peoria County, still waiting to be formally described. Imagine — undiscovered species living all around us!
We’ll also explore different ways to attract insects at night and demonstrate several methods in action. Then, spend time with a professional entomologist who will help you uncover the stories behind the insects we see — their behaviors, their life cycles, and the secrets they reveal under the glow of the lights.
Who knows what will come buzzing out of the darkness?
Wildlife Prairie Park occasionally takes photographs or video of participants for promoting/advertising our programs, services, events, activities, and facilities in our brochures, website, social media, and other promotional materials. By entering Wildlife Prairie Park or registering for, participating in or attending the Park’s programs, events, or other activities, the participant (or parent/guardian of a minor participant) irrevocably agrees to the use and distribution by Wildlife Prairie Park of his or her image (or of his minor child/ward) in photographs, video recordings, and any other electronic reproductions of such programs, events and activities for any purpose without inspection or approval and without compensation, rights to royalties or any other consideration now and in the future.
