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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar: 4/25/2023 - 5/23/2023
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 4/26; 5pm - 7pm
Family Pond Paddle, Thatcher Glen Pond, River Forest
Families, enjoy an evening out paddling. Instruction, equipment, and kayaks provided. Registration required.
Friday, 4/28; 7:30pm
Nature at Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Explore the world of nature after the sun sets. $3 per person. Registration required by 4/26.
Sunday, 4/29; 10am
Waterfowl Watch, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Walking with brief stops to observe the birds that frequent waterways. Registration required.
Saturday, 4/29; 10am - 12pm
Arbor Day Celebration, Papoose Lake, Palos Park
Celebrate the grandeur of trees and why they are vital to our community with plantings and walks. Drop-in.
Saturday, 4/29; 7pm - 8:30pm
Starry Night Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Come for a guided walk and night sky observations as we admire the constellations and learn about astronomy. Registration required.
Saturday, 4/29; 10am - 2pm
Teen Exploration Day - Working with Wildlife, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about the behind-the-scenes care of nature center animals. Registration required. Ages 13-18.
Saturday, 4/29 - Sunday, 4/30
Camping Leadership Immersion Course, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
CLIC is an overnight training at Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest designed to give participants the skills and experience to plan and lead camping trips at Camp Sullivan. The overnight training course covers camping safety, day-hiking, tent and stove-set up, teambuilding and leadership skills. Educational offerings and will help familiarize you with the reservation process. By completing the CLIC training, leaders gain access to the CLIC gear library (onsite) and designated group site at Camp Sullivan. Must be at least 18 years old and be affiliated with an organization to participate. Fee is $25 per person and includes food and camping gear for the night. Register at experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov. For more info go to visit the Forest Preserves website.
Sunday, 4/30; 1pm - 3pm
Garlic Mustard Pull, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Help us improve the quality of our woodlands by removing this invasive species. Sturdy shoes, gloves, long sleeves, and long pants recommended. Children welcome with adult.
Saturday, 5/6; 10am - 1pm
Forest Tea Party, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a woodland tea party with unstructured free play, stories, and engage with natural materials. Light refreshments will be available. Registration required.
Saturday, 5/6; 1pm - 3pm
Flower Festival, Bunker Hill, Niles
Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with various arts, storytelling, and crafts. Drop-in.
Saturday, 5/6; 11:30am
Day Hiking Leadership Training, Bemis Woods, Westchester
Calling all teachers, group leaders & youth educators! Our Day Hiking Leadership Training program gets youth and groups of all ages outside by empowering teachers and group leaders with the skills and resources they need to lead safe and fun outdoor experiences. We will focus on: thoughtful trip planning, risk management practices, memorable outdoor activities, outdoor ethics, hiking best practices, appropriate gear and more. Training will include two mandatory portions: an online portion available starting two weeks prior, consisting of classroom work and an in-person portion on Saturday, March 26. In-person portion will include a group day hike, gear inventory and lending processes. Online portion must be complete prior to the in-person portion. Participants must be at least 18 years or older, be affiliated with institution, and be present on hiking trips when borrowing gear. If interested, please email experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov with name and organization.
Sunday, 5/7; 12pm - 3pm
Spring Festival, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Celebrate springtime at Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve! Enjoy interactive programs, kids’ tree climb, guided wildflower walks, bird banding, kid’s nature crafts and much more!
Tuesday, 5/9; 5pm - 7pm
World Mental Health Month Celebration, Swallow Cliff Woods, Palos Park
Exercise and time in nature are proven ways to improve your mental health. Climb the stairs, join a guided walk, and explore mental health resources. In partnership with Advocate Aurora Health.
Wednesday, 5/10; 12pm - 2pm
Dia de las Madres Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Calling all mothers for a 1-mile walk on our trails followed by coffee and pan dulce (Mexican pastries). In English and Spanish. Registration required.
Saturday, 5/13; 10am - 12pm
World Migratory Bird Day Big Sit, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Drop-in to join us for a bird watch from a fixed location to see who is winging in and who is migrating through.
Saturday, 5/13; 9am - 2pm
World Migratory Bird Day, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Celebrate bird migration by learning how water affects bird life. Learn simple steps you can do to preserve water and protect birds.
Saturday, 5/13; 9am - 12pm
Chicago River Day, Beaubien Woods, Chicago
Celebrate the 31st anniversary of Chicago River Day. Do your part to clean and restore our waterways and the land around it. For more info and registration, visit chicagoriver.org.
Saturday, 5/13; 12pm - 4pm
“Check-Out” Nature, Wolf Road Woods, Willow Springs
Explore nature by checking out some gear for the afternoon including field guides, binoculars, scavenger hunt and litter pick-up materials available to check out for free! We will be on site to answer questions, give trail recommendations, provide maps and more.
Sunday, 5/14; 10:30am or 1:30pm
Wildflower Walk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about spring woodland wildflowers on a casual walk. Registration required.
Sunday, 5/14; 10:30am
Wildflower Sketching Workshop, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join in a short nature walk to sketch blooming wildflowers. Registration required. For all skill levels. Materials provided. Ages 13 and up.
Saturday, 5/20; 9am - 3pm
Foster Parent Recruitment Picnic, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
In partnership with Chicagoland Foster Care Collective, prospective foster parents and their friends can learn about becoming a foster parent and enjoy food, raffles, and activities.
Saturday, 5/20; 1pm
Wildflower Walk, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Spend your weekend enjoying wildflowers. Join us for a wildflower walk. Registration required.
Saturday, 5/20; 11am - 3pm
Nature Block Party, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Learn and try all the fun things you can do outdoors. Explore nature, create art, and discover the wonder of nature.
Sunday, 5/21; 8am
Des Plaines Canoe and Kayak Marathon, Oak Springs
Join the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States! Race begins at Oak Springs Road in Libertyville and ends at Dam 2. Registration required. Register at www.canoemarathon.com.
Sunday, 5/21; 1pm
Wildflower Art, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Learn to artistically capture the beauty and details of plants with drawing and painting techniques. Registration required. Ages 12 and up.
Sunday, 5/21; 1pm
Did You Hear That? Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Explore the Giant's Hollow trail in a different way by using sound journaling. Intended for families.
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