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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 4/14/2026 - 5/4/2026
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 4/14; 10am─12pm
Sensory Play Day, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Patrons can engage in activities that stimulate all five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Tuesday, 4/14; 7pm
Woodcocks at Dusk, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Patrons can enjoy the spectacle of woodcocks’ courtship behavior. Registration required. Ages 10 and up. Please call (630)257-2045 or visit the website.
Tuesday, 4/14; 8:30pm
Look up at the Sky Day, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us and celebrate International Dark Sky Week. Participants can pause, admire the beauty of the sky, and reconnect with nature’s quiet wonder. Registration required. Please call (708)839-6897.
Tuesday, 4/14; 10am─2pm
Earth Day Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Patrons can celebrate Earth’s biodiversity through stewardship, art, and educational activities. There will be a free plant giveaway. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Tuesday, 4/14; 12pm─3pm
Earth Day Nature Play, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Patrons can celebrate Earth Day with fun nature activities which include designing an upcycled toy planter, creating art using natural materials, and enjoying outdoor exploration. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Thursday, 4/16; 10am─12pm
Wellness Practice 101, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Participants can calm their senses and de-stress their body to ease yourself into a state of pure relaxation. Registration required. Ages 16 and up. This program is led by Kim Eisendrath, yoga and wellness instructor. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Thursday, 4/16; 5:30pm
Camping 101, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Patrons can learn basic camping skills through this workshop, which includes how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 4/16; 7pm
Women’s Night Out: New Moon Empowerment, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for an evening designed to empower, connect and inspire. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. The cost is $10 per person. Please call (847)824-8360.
Saturday, 4/18; 8am
Earth Day Bike Ride, Sauk Trail Woods-Central, South Chicago Heights
Join us for a 5-mile bike ride around Sauk Trail Woods followed by snacks. Patrons must bring their own bike and helmet. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Saturday, 4/18; 10am─12pm
Earth Day: Trashy Tapestries, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Patrons can learn about circular art and participate in hand-weaving rubbish ribbons on a four-sided Loom360. This program is presented with Nowhere Collective. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 4/18; 10am─12pm
Earth Day, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Celebrate the Earth with the kids, family, and Scout Troops! Participants can help us pick up litter, make bird feeders, take home a tree to plant, pick up litter, enjoy a wildflower walk and create art with recycled materials. Students can earn service-learning hours. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 4/18; 10am─12pm
Earth Day: Day of Stewardship, Evans Field, River Grove
Join us for a litter clean-up and restoration workday. Ages 13 and up. Ages 13-14 must be accompanied by an adult. Supplies and equipment will be provided. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 4/18; 10am─1pm
Earth Day Celebration, Sauk Trail Woods-Central, South Chicago Heights
Participants can enjoy a vibrant celebration of planet Earth. This event is designed to inspire a love for nature and a sense of environmental stewardship in people of all ages. The activities include craftmaking using eco-friendly materials and interactive educational games that teach about wildlife. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Sunday, 4/19; 12pm─2pm
Earth Day Craft, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day by creating water-color inspired craft using coffee filters and markers. Please call (708)868-0606.
Wednesday, 4/22; 9:30am─11:30am
Earth Day of Service, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Patrons can improve the ecosystem and health of Forest Preserves by participating in ecological restoration. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Individuals and groups are welcomed. Please call (630)257-2045 or visit the website.
Wednesday, 4/22; 3pm─5pm
Earth Day Cleanup, Jerome Huppert Woods, River Grove
Patrons can celebrate Earth Day by helping clean up litter in the Forest Preserves. Supplies and equipment will be provided. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Wednesday, 4/22; 7pm
Nature at Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a special Earth Day evening program to explore the world of nature after sunset. Registration required. The cost is $5 per person. Please call (847)824-8360.
Thursday, 4/23; 5pm
Spring Wildflower Walk, St. Mihiel Woods-East, Tinley Park
Participants can enjoy a guided walk and discover the blooming Spring wildflowers, learn about their species, and relax within nature. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Thursday, 4/23; 6:15pm
Beautiful Sounds at Sunset, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Participants can spend time outdoors with the sounds of nature and soothing instruments around a fire. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. This program is led by Gail Morales, certified healing qigong, yoga instructor and sound practitioner. Participants must bring a cushion. Please call (708)839-6897.
Saturday, 4/25: 9 am-12 pm
Trash Bash!, Dan Ryan Woods-Central, Chicago
Make spring cleaning more sustainable! Our event partners will be collecting electronics, prescription drugs, household recyclables, bikes, clothing, plastic bags and much more. The Forest Preserves will be also be collecting books in good, clean condition. The first 25 donors receive a free, “Don’t be Trashy” t-shirt. Grove 1.
Saturday, 4/25; 10am
Kinder-explorers, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
This program will inspire children to do outdoor inquiries through stories and activities. Ages 5-7 must be accompanied by an adult. Siblings are also welcomed. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 4/25; 11:30am-2pm
Day Hiking Leadership Training, Bemis Woods-North, Oak Brook
This program provides free training and tools to take groups out to the Forest Preserves for the day. Registration required. This program is for teachers and youth educators. Please visit the website.
Saturday, 4/25; 12pm─3pm
Spring Nature Camp, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Patron can learn the significance of Native American culture while participating in various activities. Registration required. This program is presented with Trickster Cultural Center. Please visit the website.
Saturday, 4/25; 1pm─3pm
Green Lake Gardening, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can help us restore the pollinator garden at Green Lake. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Supplies and equipment will be provided. Please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 4/26; 10:30am
Spring Wildflower Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Participants can enjoy a guided walk and learn about spring ephemeral wildflowers and the insects that depend on them. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 4/26; 1pm─3pm
Earth-a-palooza, Linne Woods, Morton Grove
Participants can enjoy guided walks, touch-a-truck, tree climbs, crafts, and a visit from the Brookfield Zoo Chicago during this eco-friendly family fun fest. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 4/30; 10am─1pm
Tiny Tot Day, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Join us and celebrate children’s day in nature through movement, stories, and artmaking. Patrons must bring their own bike and helmet. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Saturday, 5/2; 8am
Major Taylor Trail Bike Ride, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Patrons can enjoy a 16-mile bike ride that is round trip with flexible turning points. This program is for bike riders of all skill levels. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Saturday, 5/2; 10am─1pm
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Trivia Walk, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Patrons can enjoy a guided walk while learning about the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders within the environmental and conservation movement. For more information, please call (708)771-9632 or visit the website.
Saturday, 5/2; 12pm─3pm
Annual Spring Festival, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Patrons can enjoy interactive programs which include kids tree climb, guided wildflower walks, kid’s nature crafts, gardening information and more. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 5/2; 1pm
Bienvenidos Birds, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for an indoor presentation and a walk to learn about the bird migratory journey from Mexico to Chicagoland area. Registration required. Ages 10 and up. Please call (630)257-2045 or visit the website.
Saturday, 5/2 through Sunday, 5/3; 5pm
Camping Leadership Immersion Course, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Participants can learn essential camping skills through this overnight training course. Once the course is completed, then patrons can bring groups of up to 30 people for overnight stays. Registration required. Training will be required to access camping gear. The cost is $25 per person. Please visit the website.
Sunday, 5/3; 12pm─2pm
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Craft Series: Japanese Cherry Blossom Fan, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by creating crafts inspired by different cultures. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 5/3; 12pm─3pm
Wellness in the Woods Expo, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Patrons can discover the health benefits of nature through forest therapy, guided nature walks, yoga, music, art, and more. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 5/3; 1:30pm
Frog Frenzy, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can learn how to dress, act, and live like a frog. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Sunday, 5/3; 1:30pm
Insect Inspired Innovation, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Throughout history, nature has inspired all facets of human advancement. This program will focus on insects and their impact on the development of some of our latest technologies. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
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