4 - 6:30 p.m. Registration for this free event is requested by noon on Sept. 26th by calling 815-964-6666 or visiting the calendar at https://www.naturalland.org/event/public-opening-event-at-william-gayle…

Visitors are welcome to take a guided hike or explore on their own. Light refreshments will be served and attendees will learn about the natural history of this site that includes three quarries, woodlands, and remnant prairie. Rockton Township Historical Society and Burpee Museum of Natural History will participate and share historical and geological information about Keefer Nature Reserve. Fun Fact: Burpee Museum houses a crinoid fossil from this preserve that is named after their first director, Milt Mahlburg. It will be at the event to view. Burpee staff will be on site during the open house so visitors can explore for fossils in one of the quarries.

The William & Gayle Keefer Nature Reserve will be open to the public on a daily basis, sunrise to sunset following this Public Opening Event. The public access address and parking lot are located at 12804 Old River Rd., Rockton, Ill. 61072. For more information about this preserve visit https://www.naturalland.org/william-gayle-keefer-nature-reserve/.

Please register for this event by Noon on Sept. 26, 2024. Call the NLI office at 815/964-6666 or fill out the form below.

Event Parking and Check In

Woodlands Park, corner of Falcon Point Place and Park View Court, Rockton