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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 1/14/2025 - 2/3/2025
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Saturdays, 1/18 through 2/1; 9am
Beginner Cross-Country Ski Lessons, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn how to ski with a certified Professional Ski Instructor of America. Registration required. Registration for each lesson starts the Sunday prior to the lesson week. Reservation link will only be available when snow conditions are skiable. Ages 12 and up. The cost is $20 per person. Please call (630) 257-2045 or visit the website.
Sundays, 1/19 through 2/2; 9am
Beginner Cross-Country Ski Lessons, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn how to ski with a certified Professional Ski Instructor of America. Registration required. Registration for each lesson starts the Sunday prior to the lesson week. Reservation link will only be available when snow conditions are skiable. Ages 12 and up. The cost is $20 per person. Please call (630) 257-2045 or visit the website.
Saturday, 1/18; 8:30am
Bird and Bagel Bird Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us for bagels inside followed by a guided bird walk with Chicago Bird Alliance. Registration required. All birding levels are welcome, and binoculars will be provided. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 1/18; 10am - 12pm
MLK Service Day Celebration, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Give back this MLK day! Join us for a litter clean up in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 1/18; 10am - 12pm
Teen Exploration Day: Day of Service, Schiller Woods-East, Chicago
Teens and families can give back this MLK day! Join us for a litter clean up in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. This event will be held at Grove 10. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 1/18; 10am - 2pm
MLK Day of Service and Brush Pile Burn, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Learn what it takes to keep our preserves healthy and participate in a day of service by removing invasive plant species. S’mores will be provided. Please call (224) 763-4317.
Sunday, 1/19; 1:30pm
Conservation at Home: Winter Seed Sowing, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
You can learn about native seeds for winter sowing by making your own winter sowing milk jug. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Supplies will be provided. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Monday, 1/20; 9am - 2pm
MLK Day of Service, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Drop-in at the nature center and participate in a self-led litter pick-up. Garbage bags and disposable gloves will be provided. For more information, please call (708) 868-0606.
Monday, 1/20; 10am - 1pm
MLK Jr. Day of Service, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Join us and celebrate MLK with a day of service. The activities include a litter clean-up, crafts and cocoa. Groups of 10 or more must register for the event. For more information, please visit the website.
Monday, 1/20; 1pm - 3pm
MLK Day Restoration, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us to improve our natural community by helping remove invasive species. Registration required. Ages 8 and up. Equipment will be provided. High school students may earn service hours. For more information, please call (847) 381-6598.
Monday, 1/20; 1pm - 3pm
Martin Luther King Jr, National Day of Service, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us to work to make River Trail better on this official day of community service. Ages 10 and up. Ages 16 and under with an adult. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Monday, 1/20; 6:30pm
Moon Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Learn how to serve your community by reducing light pollution, while enjoying a walk in the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 1/25; 9am - 11am
Winter Photography, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for an outdoor workshop focusing on amazing winter scenes. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Saturday, 1/25; 10:30am - 3:30pm
All About Fire, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Learn safe practices for fire building and containment, make fire-inspired art, build your own fire, and roast a marshmallow. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751.or visit the website.
Saturday, 1/25; 11am - 2pm
Snowshoeing, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Come out and explore the preserves via snowshoe. This program will occur when snow depth exceeds 4 inches. Hikes and other activities will be offered if there is no snow. For more information, please call 224-763-4317 or visit the website.
Saturday, 1/25; 1pm
Winter Walk in the Woods, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Enjoy an afternoon walk in the Preserves. Snowshoes will be provided when the snow depth exceeds 4 inches. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 1/25; 2pm
Bird and Bagel Bird Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor ambassador animals. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 1/25; 6pm - 8pm
Winter Night Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Embrace the chilly weather with a brisk nighttime walk, then warm up with a hot beverage .Please call (708) 868-0606.
Sunday, 1/26; 10am - 1pm
Lunar New Year Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Welcome good luck and fortune in 2025 by celebrating the Year of the Snake with activities, crafts and performances. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Sunday, 1/26; 1pm
Picidae, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for a short presentation and stroll as we learn about woodpeckers and how they adapt to their environment. For more information, please call (847) 381-6598.
Wednesday, 1/29; 10:30am
Children’s Lunar New Year , Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Let’s learn about the holiday through reading, creating, and celebrating together! Ages 2-10 with an adult. For more information, please call (847) 381-6598.
Wednesday, 1/29; 5pm - 7pm
Teen S’mores Night, Dan Ryan Visitor Center, Chicago
Hang out by the fire with friends and enjoy a sweet treat. S’mores and supplies will be provided. For more information, please call (224)763-4317.
Saturday, 2/1 through Friday, 2/28; 9am - 4pm
Underground Railroad Self-Guided Walks, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we celebrate Black History Month. You can learn about historical events and people on self-guided walks throughout February. For more information, please call (708) 868-0606.
Saturday, 2/1; 10am - 12pm
Winter Workshop: Woodworking, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Repurpose the common European buckthorn into something new. Registration required. Equipment will be provided. Ages 10 and up. Ages 10-16 with an adult. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/1; 11am - 1pm
Black History Month Kickoff Drop-in, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Baratunde Thurston is an American writer and conservationist. Join us as we view his award-winning PBS series America Outdoors. Snacks will be provided. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 2/1; 10am - 12pm
Winter Open Climb, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Join us at Camp Sullivan’s indoor climbing wall. Registration and waiver required. Ages 18 and under must have an adult. 12 individuals per 30-minute time slot. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 2/2; 10am - 12pm
Poetry Trail: Black History Month, Bemis Woods-South, Western Springs
Join us for a walk on a short, looped trail as we celebrate Black History Month. We will read poetry written by African American authors. This event will begin at Grove 7. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Sunday, 2/2; 1pm - 3pm
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
You can make a simple instrument or bring your own. All participants are welcome to join the jam or just listen to the music. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 2/2; 1:30pm
Groundhog Day, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn the story behind this peculiar holiday. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
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