title
PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserve District of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) Calendar - 3/14/2018 - 4/24/2018
Below are some highlighted events occurring throughout the Forest Preserves this Spring. A full list of events is featured in a re-designed seasonal brochure. The spring 2018 edition is a more comprehensive guide to the Forest Preserves compared to the previous brochures which primarily featured activities and events. The updated guide now offers nature interpretation, season features and other educational information about conservation and more.
For the first time, the seasonal guide offers advertising opportunities as a way to expand audiences and generate revenues to offset printing and production costs. In addition to ad revenues generated in the guide, the partnership with Performance Media, the vendor and a woman-owned business, also provides complimentary advertising benefits to the Forest Preserves in various other publications. This season, the Forest Preserves was featured in two Lyric Opera Guides, the Harris Theater Guide and the Chicago Wedding & Party Resource Guide; exceeding $12,000 worth of complimentary advertising.
Saturday, 2/10 - Sunday, 3/25; 10 am - 4 pm
Asia in Bloom: The Orchid Show; Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
With more than 10,000 vibrant orchids, all blooming at once, this year’s Orchid Show will evoke the beauty and serenity of Asia. Fee applies. New: Open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays (a cash bar will be available).
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2/13 - 3/22; 10 am
Morning Music with Orchids; Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Thursday, 3/29; 12 pm - 4 pm
Post-Orchid Show Plant Sale, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Noon to 2 p.m.: All Garden members; 2 to 4 p.m.: Public welcome. While supplies last
Saturday, 4/21 - Sunday, 4/22; 10 am - 4 pm
Unearth Science Festival: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Celebrate all things science on Earth Day week at our new family-friendly festival. Garden researchers are coming out of the lab and into the Garden. Bring your curiosity and your creativity and get ready for experiments, activities, a floral flash mob, plant poetry slam, and more at the two-day festival.
Sunday, 4/22; 10 am - 4 pm
Party for the Planet, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Celebrate Earth Day at Brookfield Zoo! With special Zoo Chats and green activities and crafts, Party for the Planet is filled with educational, engaging, and fun activities for the entire family that showcase some of the steps you can take to make a difference for animals across the globe.
Saturday, 3/17; 1:30 pm
I’m “Lichen” It; Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Found almost everywhere in nature, lichens are often overlooked. However, further investigation uncovers the fascinating world of this “dual organism.” Program includes a short discussion and a hike. Ages 15 & up.
Sunday, 3/18; 1 pm
Helpful Home Invaders; Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
The next time you see a spider at home, think twice before squishing it! Learn about the bugs that are often feared, but help in our homes.
Sunday, 3/18; 11 am - 3 pm
46th Annual Maple Syrup Festival; River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a special day of activities including crafts, games, tree tapping, and maple syrup history with syrup samples to taste.
Sunday, 3/18; 1 pm
Conservation@Home: Growing Milkweeds; Sagawau Environmental Learning, Lemont
Milkweeds have specific requirements for germination and growth. Learn how to propagate and grow milkweeds indoors and out. Registration required.
Wednesday, 3/21; 11 am - 2 pm
Celebrate Spring! Fest; Cummings Square, River Forest
Build and play with natural materials: make a decorative terrarium, create a bird house and participate in other activities. All ages.
Thursday, 3/22; 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Camping 101: For Outdoor Youth Organizations; Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Help members of your youth organization master the basics of camping during these free, hands-on workshops for camping skills and teamwork. Learn the basics: tent set-up, campfire building, proper dress, camping etiquette, and more. Registration and adult supervision required; space is limited. Register: experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov
Thursday, 3/22; 9 am - 12 pm
Spring Welcome Event; Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Discover your wild and wonderful local Forest Preserves! Join us for an introduction to SRNC and Camp Shabbona Woods. We have ongoing exhibits, hiking trails, pioneer cabins, and live animals.
Saturday, 3/24; 6:30 pm
Woodcock Sky Dance at Wolf Road Prairie; Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Watch the amazing aerial display of the male woodcock as he calls, swirls and tumbles in the sky at dusk. Registration required.
Tuesday, 3/27; 11 am - 2 pm
Spring Breakout Adventure; Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Calling all families, friends and youth organizations. Explore all this unique 56-acre preserve has to offer. Archery, exploring biodiversity, guided hikes, pond fishing, orienteering course or practice your frisbee technique with our 18-hole disc golf course. All equipment provided. Registration required for groups of 20 or more. All ages.
Tuesday, 3/27; 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Camping 101; Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Perfect for families and novice campers, this free, hands-on workshop series teaches basic camping skills to first-time campers who aren’t part of adventure groups. Learn tent set-up, campfire building, proper dress, camping etiquette, and more. Parents required to be present with children 16 and younger. No registration required.
Wednesday, 3/28 & Thursday 3/29; 9:30 am - 12 pm
Spring Break Camp: Mad Scientists!; Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Explore nature through hands-on experiments that promote science discovery through investigation and inquiry. Registration required. Ages 7-10; $20/child.
Thursday, 3/29; 11 am - 2 pm
Spring Breakout Adventure; Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion
Come out for a full day of activities including archery, navigation and orienteering courses, hikes to the tallest point in Chicago, and more. All equipment provided. Registration required for groups of 20 or more. All ages.
Saturday, 3/31; 1 pm
Ornithology 101: Beginning Bird ID; Sagawau Environmental Learning, Lemont
Learn how to use field marks such as eye rings, wing bars, and size to aid in bird identification.
Registration required.
Saturday, 3/31; 7:15 pm - 9:15 pm
Full Moon Frogs; Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Use your sense of hearing to identify which frogs are calling tonight. The data will be used as part of the calling frog survey for the Chicago Wilderness Region. Ages 10 & up.
Saturday, 3/31; 10 am - 1 pm
Explore the Thorn Creek Trail System; Sauk Trail Woods Central, Forest Preserve Dr, south of W 26th St, South Chicago Heights
Explore the southern section of the Thorn Creek Trail with a 5K hike around Sauk Lake. Prior to the hike, learn about proper hiking footwear, planning techniques and etiquette. Learn about the cultural and natural history of Sauk Trail Woods. Recommended for ages 10 & up.
Sunday, 4/1; All day event
Searching for Sasquatch; River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
A fun scavenger hunt throughout the day.
Thursday, 4/5; 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Camping 101: For Outdoor Youth Organizations; Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest & Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook (2 locations, same date/time)
Help members of your youth organization master the basics of camping during these free, hands-on workshops for camping skills and teamwork. Learn the basics: tent set-up, campfire building, proper dress, camping etiquette, and more. Registration and adult supervision required; space is limited. Register: experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov
Saturday, 4/7; 11 am - 2 pm
Wilderness Survival; Caldwell Woods, Chicago
This hands-on program teaches the basics of wilderness survival. Learn primitive and natural fire building methods, knot tying techniques and orienteering skills. In addition, you can try your hand at shelter building, edible plant identification and making water potable. Ages 10 and up. Event will take place at the Caldwell Woods Warming Shelter (6350 W. Devon).
Tuesday, 4/10; 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Camping 101; Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Perfect for families and novice campers, this free, hands-on workshop series teaches basic camping skills to first-time campers who aren’t part of adventure groups. Learn tent set-up, campfire building, proper dress, camping etiquette, and more. Parents required to be present with children 16 and younger. No registration required.
Saturday, 4/14; 8 am - 11:30 am
Spring Fishing Derby; Papoose Lake, Palos Park
Join us for spring fishing and fun. Prizes awarded for largest fish caught in different age groups. Registration begins at 8am. Fishing is from 8:30 - 11am. Catch and release event; fishing license not needed.
Saturday, 4/14; 11 am - 2 pm
Maywood Boat Launch Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Paddle; Maywood Grove, Maywood
Celebrate the grand opening of our newest canoe and kayak launch along the Des Plaines River at Maywood Grove, with a ribbon cutting cceremony, refreshments, and short canoe and kayak trips from Trailside Museum to Maywood Grove. Get involved in the Forest Preserves’ Greater Maywood Paddling Program, a new FPCC initiative.
Saturday, 4/14; 1:30 pm
Bald Eagle Bash; Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we learn about what makes these bald and beautiful lords tick, the significance of their return to Cook County, and where to spot them.
Sunday, 4/15; 1:30pm
Lions, Wolves & Bears-Oh my!; River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about the mega predators that once lived in Illinois.
Sunday, 4/15; 1 pm - 3 pm
Conservation@Home: Gardening for Pollinators; Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Master Gardeners will share tips and recommendations on plants to feed native pollinators from spring to fall. Learn about early spring to late fall blooms and how to incorporate them in your home garden. Registration required.
Saturday, 4/21; 10 am - 3 pm
Earth Day; Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a day set aside as a reminder to be good stewards of our planet every day. Activities include art-making, puppet shows, hikes, a tour of Camp Shabbona Woods and Earth Day Jeopardy.
Sunday, 4/22; 1:30 pm
Earth Day Wildflower Hike; Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Check out the array of wildflowers as we walk the White Oak Trail. Hike will just exceed one mile. All ages.
Saturday, 4/21; 9 am - 1 pm
Earth Day Celebration & Preserves Clean Up; Beaubien Woods, I-94 & Doty
Clean up the preserves in partnership with Friends of the Forest Parks and enjoy fun nature activities and snacks during your break. Groups of 10 or more register in advance at Credell.walls@cookcountyil.gov <mailto:Credell.walls@cookcountyil.gov>
end