Prairie Research Institute - All Events

Thursday, August 6, 2026

• Illinois State Geological Survey Open House

  Time

  1:00 - 3:00 pm

  Location

  Natural Resources Building, first floor

  • Reception/Open House

  

Monday, August 17, 2026

• Warblers, Sparrows, and Thrushes, Oh My!

  Time

  7:00 pm

  Location

  801 N Country Fair Dr, Ste D, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61821

  • Seminar/Symposium

  

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

• Machine Learning With Natural History Collections

  Time

  9:00 am - 5:00 pm

  Location

  Forbes Natural History Building, Room 1005

  Join Field Museum researchers Bruno de Medeiros, assistant curator of insects, and Elizabeth Postema, postdoctoral research scientist, for a free, hands-on workshop.

  • Professional Development

  

Saturday, August 29, 2026

• Bats in the Spotlight: Presentation and Night Hike.

  Time

  6:30 - 8:30 pm

  Location

  Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center, Oglesby, Illinois

  Join us for a fun evening learning about bats and then embark on a night hike with ultrasonic bat detecting equipment!

  • Informational

  

Monday, August 31, 2026

• International Symposium on Energy, Carbon, and Industrial Systems

  Time

  8:30 am

  Location

  I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center

  This two-day symposium brings together researchers, industry leaders, project developers, and policymakers to discuss energy systems, carbon capture and utilization, AI-driven energy demand, carbon markets, and financing pathways for energy-carbon projects. Interested participants may request an invitation on the event page.

  • Conference/Workshop

  

Saturday, September 26, 2026

• Central Illinois Bat Festival

  Time

  1:00 - 8:00 pm

  Location

  Anita Purves Nature Center

  ​Join us at the third annual Central Illinois Bat Festival — a free two-part celebration of bats, bugs, and science! This year, we’re celebrating backyard bugs and bats!

  • Exhibition