Dickson Mounds’ Tot Time Sept. 3 to Feature Ducks, Ducks, and more Ducks

Sub-Title: Museum offers free outdoor programming for young children

ISM Location: Dickson Mounds

For Immediate Release:

LEWISTOWN, Ill. – The Illinois State Museum's Dickson Mounds site in Lewistown presents “Ducks, Ducks, and more Ducks” during its monthly Tot Time programming on Thursday, September 3, 2020, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. outdoors on the Museum's campus.

"It’s only natural that Dickson Mounds loves to introduce young children to ducks and other waterfowl," said Dickson Mounds Director Duane Esarey. "No place in Illinois identifies more with waterfowl than this part of the Illinois River valley. Limitless numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds pass through the Emiquon region. Seeing these beautiful birds up close, and hearing from experts about their lives, alerts young children to the big, beautiful, and interesting natural world around us and the science that helps us understand it."

Forbes Biological Station's Director, Auriel Fournier, will present a program highlighting the habitat needs, migration patterns, diet, and anatomy of various waterfowl. Fournier will have live ducks on hand for children and their caretakers to view and engage with outdoors. Children will receive an activity bag with duck themed crafts.

Dickson Mounds is pleased to continue to make its monthly Tot Time Thursday programming available to the community in compliance with the Restore Illinois Phase 4 guidelines. The Museum has modified its programming to ensure adults' and young children's health, safety, and comfort. Modifications include moving the program outdoors, limiting capacity to 40 participants, requiring face coverings for everyone over the age of 2, and spacing the seating. 

Families must register by Wednesday, September 2, via the Museum's website at www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/content/tot-time-ducks-ducks-and-more-ducks. In the case of inclement weather, the program will be canceled, and participants will be notified.  

The 2020 Tot Time Thursday program is sponsored by Barbara Jackson of Peoria, Canton Chamber of Commerce, Havana National Bank, Jeff and Linda Sisson of Havana, Lewistown VFW Post 5001 Auxiliary, Prairie State Bank, Spoon River Electric's Operation Round-Up, and an anonymous donor.

Contact Person: Jamila Wicks

Contact Email: jamila.wicks@ismsociety.org

Contact Phone: 7062077836

Release File (pdf): ism-tottimeducks-sept2020.pdf

Release File (doc): ism-tottimeducks-sept2020.docx