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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 6/9/2026 - 7/6/2026
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 6/9; 10am
Storytime in Polish, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
A program for the youngest nature lovers. We will get to know insects, birds, and other animals and look for them in the forest through the help of well-known and beloved rhymes. Registration required. This program will be presented in Polish. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Wednesday, 6/10; 5:30pm
Camping 101, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Join us for a workshop to learn basic camping skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather, and more. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 6/11; 7:30pm
Campfire Stories, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can enjoy stories, songs, and s’mores around the campfire. Registration required. The cost is $5 per person. Please call (847)824-8360.
Friday, 6/12; 9:30am─12pm
Underground Railroad Walking Tour, Thatcher Glen Pond, River Forest
Patrons can celebrate Juneteenth with a 1.5-mile walking tour highlighting notable sites connected to Freedom Seekers. Registration required. This program is presented by the Midwest Underground Railroad Network. Please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Friday, 6/12; 5:30pm─7pm
History of the Lagoons Paddle, Tower Road Boat Launch, Winnetka
Patrons can explore the uniqueness of the Skokie Lagoons by water. Registration required. Equipment and supplies will be provided. This program is presented with Chicago River Canoe and Kayak, LLC. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/13; 8am─10am
Birding by Ear, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a birding adventure to learn some mnemonics and other tips to ID birds by their songs. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/13; 9am─3pm
Geology and Herpetology: The Bridging of Two Sciences, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Participants can learn how geological forces shape the ecology of reptiles and amphibians. Registration required. This program is presented by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Educators can earn professional development hours. Please visit the website.
Saturday, 6/13; 10am─1pm
Little Cal Paddles, Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Chicago
Participants can explore the history, people, and stories that shape the community through a 10-person canoe paddle. This program is presented by the Chicago Adventure Therapy. For more information, please (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/13; 11am─3pm
Beaubien Woods Celebration, Beaubien Woods, Chicago
Participants can enjoy archery, canoeing at Flatfoot Lake, and engaging activities from our community partners. Registration is encouraged. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 6/14; 1pm
LGBTQ2S+ Nature Trivia, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for a celebration of all things queer in nature. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 6/14; 1:30pm
All About Snakes, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can learn about local snakes. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Sunday, 6/14; 1pm─3pm
Trailside Summer Bluegrass Jam, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us for this all-American music jam! Participants can make a simple musical instrument or bring their own. Participants can enjoy playing an instrument or have fun listening to the music. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Tuesday, 6/16; 5pm─7pm
Community Fishing Clinic, Cermak Woods, Lyons
Join us for a free fishing clinic for new or novice anglers. Ages 6-15 must be accompanied by an adult. Equipment and supplies will be provided. This program is presented with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Tuesday, 6/16; 7:30pm─9:30pm
Fantastic Fireflies, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join a Sagawau firefly expert for a discussion of their ecology and a firefly viewing. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Please visit the website.
Wednesday, 6/17; 9am
Fishing Bass-ics, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Get hooked on the basics of fishing as we tackle a new topic each class. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Wednesday, 6/17; 7pm─8:30pm
Naturalist Night Out, Spears Woods, Willow Springs
Join a naturalist for a themed stroll under the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Thursday, 6/18; 1:30pm─3pm
Nature Arts for Health: Plein Air Watercolor, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Patrons can experience the positive interaction between nature, art, and wellness in this fun, interactive art class. Registration required. This program is presented by University of Illinois-Extension. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Friday, 6/19; 10am─1pm
Family Fish Exploration Day, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Discover the wonders beneath the waters of the preserves. Patrons can learn to fish, examine specimens, and create art with your family. Registration required. Please call (847)381-6592 or visit the website.
Friday, 6/19; 6pm─8:30pm
Juneteenth Freedom Ride, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Join us for a 16-mile cycling celebration with Major Taylor Trail Keepers and local bike clubs. Participants must bring their own bike and helmet. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/20; 9am─12pm
Busse Lake Outdoors Day and Fishing Derby, Busse Lake Boating Center, Elk Grove Village
Participants can enjoy free fishing derby, nature play, animal encounters, and more! Local food vendors and chances of winning prizes will be available. Registration required. This program will be held at Grove 25. Please visit the website.
Saturday, 6/20; 10am─12pm
Introduction to Kayaking Class, Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch, Willow Springs
Join a naturalist for a themed stroll under the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place. Registration required. Equipment and supplies will be provided. Please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/20; 10:30am
To Catch a Crayfish, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Participants can help set out traps and learn about the amazing arthropods. Ages 7 and up. Please call (708)839-6897or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/20; 11am─1pm
American Indian Summer Solstice, Schiller Woods-East, Chicago
Celebrate the solstice with dancing, drumming, storytelling, and a sun-themed art activity. This program will be held at Grove 13, and it is presented by the American Indian Center of Chicago. Please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/20; 11am─3pm
Juneteenth Jubilee, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Celebrate freedom, family and country with activities, refreshments and performances highlighting Black history. For more information, please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/20; 1:30pm
Hawk Talk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can learn about one of our resident raptors. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Sunday, 6/21; 1pm
America’s Original Wildlife, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Patrons can learn how iconic species helped shape America’s landscapes, ecosystems and culture. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Please visit the website.
Tuesday, 6/23; 9am─12pm
Teen Biodiversity Day, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Teens can spend the day in the field with naturalists to discover the diversity of life in the Forest Preserves. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Please visit the website.
Tuesday, 6/23; 10am
Furry but not Friendly, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for an indoor presentation on mustelids and focus on the weasels within Cook County. Ages 12 and up. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Wednesday, 6/24; 7pm─9pm
Night of Nature Play, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Patrons can experience nature at night through open play, star gazing and s’mores. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Thursday, 6/25; 10am
Food Security Gardens with Native Plants, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Patrons can explore native plants that are traditionally used as food. Registration required. This program is presented by Wandering Paths Founder and flower farmer Navraaz Kaur Basati. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Thursday, 6/25; 10am─11:30am
Owl Pellet Dissection, Swallow Cliff Woods-North, Palos Park
Participants can dissect owl pellets and learn about local owls. Supplies Registration required. Ages 10 and up. Ages 10-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Equipment and supplies will be provided. Please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Friday, 6/26; 8pm─9pm
Evening Firefly Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us for a guided walk on our woodland trails as twilight settles in and the fireflies begin to twinkle. Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Friday, 6/26; 8:30pm
Nature’s Fireworks, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Patrons can watch and learn about the glowing insects of twilight on a casual guided stroll. Registration required. Please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 6/27; 10am─12pm
International Mud Day Celebration, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Dress for a mess as you splash and squish in the mud! This program is presented with Hive Center for the Book Arts and Niles-Maine Library. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 6/27; 1pm
Nature Soundwalk, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Patrons can enjoy an acoustic ecology hike. Registration required. This program is presented with the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Sunday, 6/28; 9am─12pm
Kayak the Des Plaines, Schuth’s Grove, Riverside
Participants can kayak 3 miles from Schuth’s Grove to Plank Road Meadow. Registration required. Beginners are welcome. Equipment and shuttle will be provided. Please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Sunday, 6/28; 9:30am─12pm
Teen Restoration Sunday, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Teens can help us improve our wildlife habitat by cutting and removing invasive species. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 6/28; 12pm─2pm
International Mud Day, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Play and create with mud! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please dress accordingly for a muddy experience. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Thursday, 7/2; 11am─4pm
Feel Free Self-Guided Reflection Hike, Caldwell Woods, Chicago
Patrons can explore freedom and resilience in nature while celebrating Independence Day through guided reflection prompts. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Thursday, 7/2; 7pm─8:30pm
Calling of the Frogs, Whistler Woods, Riverdale
Participants can join a frog monitor and learn how to identify local frogs by sound. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Thursday, 7/2; 7pm─8:30pm
Naturalist Night Out, Spears Woods, Willow Springs
Join a naturalist for a themed stroll under the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place. Please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 7/4 through Monday, 7/6; 9am─4pm
Prairie Fireworks, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Patrons can follow signs for a self-guided hike to learn about prairie influence on history, culture, and its explosion of colorful flowers. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 7/4; 10am
Red, White, and Black, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a walk and presentation on local woodpeckers and learn about their amazing traits. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 7/4; 10am─3:30pm
Freedom in Nature Self-Guided Reflection Hike, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can explore freedom and resilience in nature while celebrating Independence Day through guided reflection prompts along the trail. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 7/4; 1:30pm
Red, White, and Whooo, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can get an up and close look at one of our owls. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Sunday, 7/5; 10am
Wild Edibles Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can learn about wild plants they can grow in their landscapes with culinary and medicinal uses on a casual walk. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 7/5; 10:30am
Red, White, and Blue Nature Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join a naturalist for a guided hike on our trails and look for our nation’s flag colors in nature. Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 7/5; 1:30pm
Red, White, and Whooo, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can get an up and close look at one of our owls. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
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