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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 2/4/2025 - 3/10/2025
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 2/5; 6pm - 7:30pm
Thankful for the Dark, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us and learn why light pollution is harmful to people and wildlife while hiking in the largest Urban Night Sky Place. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Friday, 2/7; 6pm - 8:30pm
Valentine’s Day Candlelight Walks, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Families, friends, and couples are welcomed to celebrate love in its many forms with a candlelit walk and light refreshments. Registration required. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Friday, 2/7; 6:30pm
Winter Fire Building Workshop, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Join us and learn fire building skills indoors and try out your new talent outdoors. Ages 10 and up. Ages 10-17 with an adult. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 2/7; 7pm
Winter Paint Night, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
This program will teach you how to create an acrylic winter scene. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (847) 381-6592.
Saturday, 2/8; 9am - 12pm
Winterpalooza, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Join us for an afternoon of winter activities including hikes, broom hockey, orienteering and more. This event is presented with Portage Creek Cub Scouts. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/8; 10am - 2pm
Conservation at Home, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Plant lovers unite! Join us for a native plant presentation followed by seed and plant sharing. Participants should bring a mug because a warm beverage will be provided. For more information, please call (224)763-4317 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/8; 1:30pm
Owls of Trailside, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us and learn about the fascinating owls that call Trailside Museum home and meet an ambassador owl. Registration required. This event is a family program. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 2/8; 5:30pm - 9pm
Sweetheart Night Hike, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy a wonderful day by hiking the candlelit trails, relaxing around a campfire, or warming up inside with dinner and drinks. Registration required by February 1st. Ages 21 and up. The cost is $30 per person. All ticket purchases are final, and we cannot give refunds. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 2/9; 1pm
Winter 'Brr'ding, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Enjoy an indoor presentation to learn about our winter and irruptive bird species. Registration required. Ages 16 and up. Please call (630) 257-2045.
Sunday, 2/9; 1:30pm
Superb Owl Party, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Let’s celebrate owls! Join us and learn what makes them so unique. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Thursday, 2/13; 7pm
Spark in the Dark, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for an evening adult program and stroll our candlelit trail. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (847) 381-6592.
Friday, 2/14; 6pm - 8:30pm
Valentine’s Day Candlelight Walks, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Families, friends, and couples are welcomed to celebrate love in its many forms with a candlelit walk and light refreshments. Registration required. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Saturday, 2/15; 9am - 1pm
BIPOC Faces in Green Space, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Join us for an outdoor wellness and journaling session and shift your focus away from the daily hassles. For more information, please call (224)763-4317 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/15; 10:30am - 12pm
Winter Pop-Up Fun, Swallow Cliff Woods-North, Palos Park
Drop in and check out a pair of our snowshoes, help with litter pickup, warm up by a fire, and play in the snow! The snowshoes will be available based on weather conditions. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751.
Saturday, 2/15; 12pm - 2pm
Build a Birdhouse, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us and make a wooden birdhouse for your yard. Registration required. Ages 14 and up. Ages 14-17 with an adult. Supplies are limited. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Saturday, 2/15; 1pm
Winter Science , Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for indoor interactive activities to explore the winter weather. Ages 7 and up. Please call (847) 381-6592.
Sunday, 2/16 through Saturday, 2/22; 9am
Birkie Week, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for fun activities during Birkie Week! You can ski with wood skis and wool knickers to win a prize or test your knowledge of the Birkebeiner Ski Race by answering a daily trivia question. This program will occur if we are open for skiing due to weather conditions and snow depth. For more information, please call (630) 257-2045 or visit the website.
Sunday, 2/16; 1:30pm
Insects in Winter, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy a hunt on our trails for the mighty snow flea and learn about other winter insects. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Friday, 2/21; 11am - 2pm
Crafternoon: Paint and Sip Hot Chocolate, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Join us for a paint and sip class while enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate. Supplies will be provided. For more information, please call (224)763-4317.
Saturday, 2/22; 10am - 11:30am
Walk and Talk: Black History Month Celebration, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Join us and learn about the importance of Black environmentalists. You will also learn about the history of the Forest Preserves’ trails as it relates to the Underground Railroad Movement. Registration required. This event will begin at Grove 1. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/22 through Sunday, 2/23; 10am - 3pm
Underground Railroad Presentations, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
This program will teach you about the Underground Railroad route connected to the Calumet Region during the mid-1800s through presentations and guided walks. For more information, please call (708) 868-0606.
Saturday, 2/22 through Sunday, 2/23; 10:30am
Sap’s Rising, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a walk in the sugar maple forest and learn about the sweet process of making maple syrup. Registration required Please call (847) 824-8360.
Saturday, 2/22; 11am - 2pm
Local Hidden Figures, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
In honor of Black History Month, join us for an afternoon of stories from our local hidden figures. For more information, please call (224)763-4317 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/22; 10am - 11:30am
Winter Workshop: Printmaking, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Calling all creatives! Join us for our themed sessions as we explore printmaking. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/22; 1pm
Winter Walk in the Woods, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Enjoy an afternoon walk in the Preserves. Snowshoes are provided when snow depth is greater than 4 inches. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 2/22 through Sunday, 2/23; 1:30pm
Sap’s Rising, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a walk in the sugar maple forest and learn about the sweet process of making maple syrup. Registration required Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 2/23; 1:30pm
Go Native and Get Wild, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Get your gardening questions ready! You can learn about the many benefits of gardening with native plants for you and the environment. Registration required. This event is presented with Conservation at Home via Zoom. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 2/22; 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Black History Month Collaboration Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Celebrate this special month with us by joining a bird hike followed with a snack by a warm fire. Registration required. This event is presented with Outdoor Afros. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Thursday, 2/25; 6pm
Night Owl, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Come walk the trails during a new moon as we look and listen for owls at night. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 3/1; 10:30am - 11:30am
Women’s History Month Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Celebrate this special month by taking a guided hike and learning about how women have shaped environmental conservation. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 3/1 through Sunday, 3/2; 10:30am
Sap’s Rising, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a walk in the sugar maple forest and learn about the sweet process of making maple syrup. Registration required. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Saturday, 3/1 through Sunday, 3/2; 1:30pm
Sap’s Rising, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a walk in the sugar maple forest and learn about the sweet process of making maple syrup. Registration required. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 3/2; 1pm
Lion or Lamb Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Will March weather be like a lion or a lamb? Take a walk and explore the possibilities of this in-between season. Registration required. This is a family program Please call (708) 366-6530.
Wednesday, 3/5; 10am
Wee Wandering Wednesdays, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
This is a special program for little naturalists. The activities will include story time, arts and craft as well as playtime adventure. Ages 3-6 with an adult. Tickets will be given on a first come, first served basis starting at 9:30 am. Please call (847) 381-6592.
Friday, 3/7; 6pm - 8pm
Evening Walk and Night Sky Observation, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for an evening walk with telescope views of the night sky leading up to the following week’s total lunar eclipse. Registration required. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Saturday, 3/8; 9am
Women’s Heritage Month Walk, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
In celebration of Women’s Heritage Month, we will learn about conservation leader Isabel Bassett Wasson. Join us for a walk and learn about her work and discoveries at Thatcher Woods. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 3/8; 9am - 1pm
Essential Backpacking Skills, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Professional instructors will teach you how to make a comfortable home for yourself in the wild. This event is presented by REI. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 3/8; 10am
Walk and Talk: Women in Conservation, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Join us and learn about women in conservation and their work within the Forest Preserves and natural areas. This event will begin at Grove 1. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 3/8; 10am
Maple Tree Tapping, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us on a hike as we discuss the history of tapping. You can taste fresh sap and finish syrup after tapping a maple tree. Registration required. This is a family program. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 3/8; 10am - 12pm
Nature Illustration Workshop, Swallow Cliff Woods-North, Palos Park
This class will have you capture the wonders of nature through guided nature illustrations. Registration required. Ages 10 and up. Ages 10-17 with an adult. This class is for all levels and supplies will be provided. Please call (312) 533-5751.
Saturday, 3/8; 1:30pm
Empowerment Doll Workshop, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Teaching artist, Victoria Reeves, will teach you how to hand sew in this empowerment doll making class. Registration required. Participants are encouraged to bring their child or grandchild to co-create and connect. Please call (847) 381-6592.
Saturday, 3/8; 2pm
Walk and Talk: Women in Conservation, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Join us and learn about women in conservation and their work within the Forest Preserves and natural areas. Registration required. This event will begin at Grove 1. Please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 3/8; 2pm
Maple Tree Tapping, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us on a hike as we discuss the history of tapping. You can taste fresh sap and finish syrup after tapping a maple tree. Registration required. This is a family program. Please call (708) 366-6530.
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