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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 1/13/2026-2/2/2026
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 1/14; 11am─2pm
Crafternoon: Snow Inspired Art, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Drop-in and let the winter landscape inspire you. Participants can create different arts and crafts. This program is suitable for people of all abilities. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Wednesday, 1/14; 4:30pm─6:30pm
Winter Waterland, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Drop-in and learn about the water cycle and freshwater ecology through water quality testing and activities. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Thursdays, 1/15 - 2/26; 4pm─8pm
Winter Open Climb, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Patrons can scale Camp Sullivan’s indoor climbing wall. Registration required. Participants must weigh over 40 pounds and sign a waiver. Participants 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Accessible equipment will be available. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 1/15; 5:30pm─7:30pm
Crafting Circle, Caldwell Woods, Chicago
Drop in and unwind while sharing tips, techniques and inspiration with fellow crafters of all skill levels. Participants should bring their own materials because available supplies are limited. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Friday, 1/16; 9:30am─12pm
Bird Painting Workshop Step-by-Step: Red-breasted Nuthatch, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Participants can sketch and paint a 9”x 12” canvas using acrylic paints. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. The cost is $5 per person. All materials will be provided. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 1/17; 8am─10am
Winter Brr-ding, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for an early morning walk to see our brave winter residents followed by hot chocolate. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 1/11; 9am─11am
Winter Photography, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
An outdoor workshop focusing on amazing winter scenes. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Please call (847)824-8360.
Saturday, 1/17; 10am─12pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Day, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Patrons can give back and join the community for a litter clean up to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 1/17; 10am─2pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Brush Pile Burn, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Patrons can learn what it takes to keep our forest healthy and remove invasive plant species. S’mores will be provided. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 1/17; 12:30pm─2:30pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Stewardship, Evans Field, River Grove
Patrons can give back by joining a litter clean up and restoration workday by stewarding your preserve. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 1/18; 1pm
Winter Trees, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join a nature expert as we discover several ways to identify trees in winter. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Sunday, 1/18; 1:30pm
Where in Winter, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Life in our forest preserves doesn’t hibernate when the cold weather begins because our wildest residents have clever tricks to make it through the winter. Patrons can discover and learn their survival secrets. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Sunday, 1/18; 1pm
Winter Insects, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Believe it or not, some insects are active through the winter. Participants can search for these cold-hardy survivors. Registration required. Ages 14 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Monday, 1/19; 9am─2pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can participate in a self-led litter pick-up. Garbage bags and disposable gloves are available. Students can earn service-learning hours. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Monday, 1/19; 10am─1pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Join us for an afternoon of crafts, cocoa, and a clothing drive. Registration is required for groups of 10 or more participants. For more information, please visit the website.
Monday, 1/19; 12pm─2pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Teen Day of Restoration, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Participants can put on some gloves and join us to remove invasive species. Registration required. Ages 13-17. Tools and equipment will be provided. Students can earn service-learning hours. Please call (847)381-6592.
Monday, 1/19; 1pm─3pm
Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can make River Trail better on this official day of community service. Ages 10 and up. Ages 10-17 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Monday, 1/19; 1pm─3pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Service Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Patrons can unwind and relax after your day of service by enjoying hot cocoa and refreshments in a cozy setting. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Tuesday, 1/20; 10:30am─12:30pm
Cozy Campground Book Club, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Join this camping themed book club. Registration required. Please visit the website.
Wednesday, 1/21; 10am─12pm
Do It Yourself Weather Station, Bemis Woods-South, Oak Brook
Patrons can learn about the importance of weather and climate data, and how to set up a weather station. Ages 18 and up. This program will meet at Grove 7. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Friday, 1/23; 2pm─4pm
Nature Photography, Sauk Trail Woods-Central, South Chicago Heights
Enjoy the winter landscapes and bring a camera to capture the beauty along our trail. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 1/23; 6pm
Saving Dark Skies, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Discover how light pollution dims our view of the night sky with an indoor presentation and a view through telescopes! Registration required. Please call (708)839-6897.
Saturday, 1/24; 10:30am─12:30pm
Winter Trails and Camp Fire Details, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Enjoy a short hike, watch a campfire building demo, and relax by the fireside with hot beverages and s’mores. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 1/24; 10:30am─1:30pm
All About Fire, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Patrons can learn safe practices for fire building and containment, make fire inspired art, build your own fire, and roast marshmallows. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Sunday, 1/25; 1:30pm
Conservation at Home: Winter Seed Sowing, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can use native seeds to make a winter sowing milk jug and take it home. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Supplies will be provided. Please call (847)824-8360.
Thursday, 1/29; 1pm
Animal Enrichment Studio, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Patrons can create new items for our ambassador animals, then watch how enrichment is used as an important part of their care. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Thursday, 1/29; 5:30pm─7:30pm
Dungeons and Dragons, Caldwell Woods, Chicago
Join us for a nature-themed Dungeons and Dragons one-shot campaign. Participants must bring their own dice. All experience levels are welcomed. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 1/31; 9am─12pm
Build a Birdhouse, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can learn the basics of backyard avian husbandry, build and paint a birdhouse and participate in a Q and A session. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 1/31; 10am─12pm
Fire Mosaics, Swallow Cliff Woods Pavilion, Palos Park
Join us for an indoor fire and create your own mosaic piece. Supplies will be provided. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Sunday, 2/1-2/8; 9 am─4pm
Black History Month Walk, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Learn about the impacts Black environmentalists have on the natural world on a self-guided trail exhibit. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 2/1-2/28; 9am─4pm
Underground Railroad Walks, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for self-guided walks throughout February for Black History Month. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 2/1; 1pm─3pm
Bluegrass Jam, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join the jam! Participants can bring their own guitar, fiddle, etc. All participants are welcome to play or enjoy the music. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 2/1; 1:30pm
Groundhog Day, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can learn the story behind this peculiar holiday. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Monday, 2/2; 6pm
Full Moon Walk, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Patrons can discover the Crabtree Nature Center at night by the light of the Snow Moon. Registration required. Ages 8 and up. Please call (847)381-6592.
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