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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 10/17/2023 - 11/14/2023
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 10/17 through Saturday, 10/21
Fall Migratory Bird BioBlitz, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Help biologists understand bird populations and species diversity in our area by joining the Fall Migratory Bird BioBlitz! During the BioBlitz, log all the birds you spot at Brookfield Zoo or in the Forest Preserves of Cook County on iNaturalist for a chance to win prizes. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Thursday, 10/19; 6:30pm
Owl Prowl, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls. Registration required. Please call (312) 415-2970.
Saturday, 10/21; 10am
Fall Color Walk, Palos Park Woods-North, Palos Park
Look for the changing colors on a 3.4-mile walk. Color scavenger hunts for the little ones provided.
Saturday, 10/21; 10am
Forest Therapy Walk, Schiller Woods-West, Schiller Park
Forest therapy opens the gateway for creativity and a deepened relationship between self and the natural world. This walk will be led by a certified Forest Therapy Guide. Grove 2. Registration required. Please call (312)533-5751.
Saturday, 10/21; 10am
Hip Hop Olympics, Camp Shabbona, South Holland
Chicago Urban Fine Arts Commonwealth NPF presents a juried hip-hop sporting event. Medals will be awarded to winners of professionally juried competitive MC’ing, DJ’ing, Dance, Visual Art, Knowledge and Quintathlon categories. Registration starts at 9am.
Saturday, 10/21; 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Map and Compass 101: Teen Exploration Day, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Bring your friends to compete in an orienteering competition. Prizes will be awarded. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Saturday, 10/21; 1pm
National Reptile Awareness Day, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Learn about local reptiles and meet some scaly Animal Ambassadors. Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 10/22; 9am
Spooky Shuffle 5k/10k, Swallow Cliff Woods-South, Palos Park
In partnership with the Village of Palos Park, this 5k/10k trail race takes you through the forest preserves. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Sunday, 10/22; 10am
Fall Color Walk, in Polish, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Take a guided walk in the woods in celebration of Polish American Heritage Month. Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 10/22; 10am - 12pm
Fall Photography, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy a guided walk to view and photograph seasonal nature. For all levels and camera types. Ages 13 and up. Registration required by 10/19. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 10/22; 10am - 2pm
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Find all the hidden pumpkins on our Giants Hollow Trail during this fun scavenger hunt. Costumes encouraged but not required.
Thursday, 10/26; 4pm
Pumpkin Carving: Teen Exploration Day, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Carve a pumpkin while surrounded by the natural beauty within the Forest Preserves. Supplies provided. Registration required. Please call (773) 758-8899.
Friday, 10/27; 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Evening at a Nature Center: Teen Exploration Day, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Observe the ambassador animals, hike a trail, and warm up by a fire with hot chocolate. Ages 13 and up. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Friday, 10/27; 4pm - 7pm
Stars, Spooky Stories, and S ’mores, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Join a family-friendly evening with a cozy fire, s’mores, a “spooky” story trail, star gazing, pumpkin painting and more. Costumes encouraged!
Saturday, 10/28; 6pm - 7:30pm
Who, Who, Who’s Afraid of the Woods, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a short walk along some of our trails in search of “not-so-spooky” residents, which includes owls, bats and more. Registration required. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Saturday, 10/28; 6:30pm
Moon Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Walk in the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Sunday, 10/29; 10:30am & 1:30 pm
The Un-haunted Forest, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Bring the children for a magical hike through the forest. Cost: $3 per child. Registration required by 10/27. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 10/29; 1pm
Hoarders, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Let’s take a stroll through the woods and watch squirrels and chipmunks busily stocking their larders for survival through winter.
Sunday, 10/29; 12pm - 5pm
Trunk or Treat, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Sponsored by the East Side Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event, complete with plenty of candy.
Monday, 10/30 through Thursday, 11/2; 9am - 4pm
Dia de los Muertos, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
In celebration of Día de los Muertos, stop inside to learn about Mesoamerican tradition and view our altar dedicated to extinct and endangered animals. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Thursday, 11/2; 6:30am - 8pm
Dia de Los Muertos Night Hike, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Celebrate the history of Día de los Muertos on a guided hike.
Friday, 11/3; 4pm
National Native American Heritage Month History Walk, Sauk Trail Woods-Central, South
Chicago Heights
Take a stroll and learn the origin of the name Sauk Woods. The walk is on a 3.4-miles paved loop trail.
Saturday, 11/4; 9am - 3pm
ENTICE workshop: Coyote Track, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
In partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, this workshop will focus on coyote ecology and behavior related to data collected from radio-collared coyotes. CDPU’s are available. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Saturday, 11/4; 11:30am
Day Hiking Leadership Training; Bemis Woods-North, Westchester
This training is for teachers and youth educators! DHLT gives you all the tools to take groups out into the preserves for the day. Registration required. Please visit the website for more information.
Sunday, 11/5; 11am; 12:30 & 2 pm
GPS Scavenger Hunt, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about and participate in a technology-inspired scavenger hunt. Registration required. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 11/5; 12pm - 2pm
Autumnal Artmaking, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Get inspired by the colors of the season as we paint tree cookies and make art with fallen leaves.
Sunday, 11/5; 1pm
“Monty and Rose 2: The World of Monty and Rose” Film Screening, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
This one-hour documentary is a follow-up to a 2019 documentary short. This film chronicles the lives of Chicago’s beloved pair of piping plovers over five years. Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045.
Wednesday, 11/8; 5:30pm - 7pm
Camping 101, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Join us for a workshop covering basic camping skills.
Friday, 11/10; 5pm - 8pm
Stars, Stories and Smores, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Join us for s’mores by the fire, storytelling, astronomy and more.
Saturday, 11/11; 10am
Book Discussion: Braiding Sweetgrass, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for a book discussion about “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 11/11; 1pm
Plants in the Military, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Humans have many uses for plants, and on Veterans Day, we will observe how they were used in the military.
Saturday, 11/11; 1pm - 3pm
Crafternoon, Swallow Cliff Woods Pavilion, Palos Park
Let nature inspire your creativity. Join in on various nature-themed arts and crafts projects.
Sunday, 11/12; 1:30pm
Lunch with the Raptors, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Learn about the birds of prey ambassador animals as they enjoy their lunch! Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Monday, 11/13; 6pm - 8pm
Folktale Under the New Moon, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a “scary” folktale recited by a LaGrange Park Library librarian during a walk under the darkest day of the month. Afterwards, enjoy a bonfire. Ages 9 and up. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897.
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