Environmental Education Center

Located at Homer Lake Forest Preserve, the Environmental Education Center features a variety of exhibits, displays, live animals and a bird viewing area. It also houses the offices of the Environmental and Horticultural Education Department. We are located just inside the main entrance to the preserve.

"Adopt" an Animal!

Regular Hours
Please note that staff may be out temporarily from time to time teaching programs at other sites.

April - October
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. November - March
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Closed Dec. 24 - Jan. 1)

The Environmental Education Center has materials available for loan to our visitors. Learn more about our audubon materials and naturalist backpacks below.

Audubon Materials
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District serves as the Champaign County Audubon Society Loan Center. We have a large selection of slides, videos and curriculum materials on a variety of birds, insects, mammals and nature-related topics. We also have the Illinois Audubon Society displays for loan. Each tabletop display includes lesson plans, worksheets and information on the topic. Three displays are available: Moths & Butterflies, Illinois Owls and Amazing Bats. The materials will be delivered to your Champaign County classroom and are available for one month at no cost.

Naturalist Backpacks
These backpacks are available to provide you with assistance on the trails. Each pack contains activities to complete along the trail as well as educational equipment (binoculars, pond dipping tools, identification books, magnifiers and more!). These packs are available at no cost; however, a driver's license or check for $75 per backpack is required as a deposit. These will be returned to you upon safe return of the backpack.