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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 3/10/2026 - 4/13/2026
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 3/11; 1pm
Everyone in Nature, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join a sensory class where individuals with disabilities and homeschoolers can learn about nature. Participants must be with an adult. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Saturday, 3/14; 1pm
Nature Walk: Women’s History Month, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Patrons can enjoy a spring walk while learning about women who made an impact in nature conservation. For more information, please call (630)257-2045.
Sunday, 3/15; 11am─3pm
Maple Syrup Festival, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a special day of activities including crafts, games, tree tapping and maple syrup history. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Wednesday, 3/18; 10am
Waterfowl Watch, McGinnis Slough, Orland Park
Join us as we peer through a spotting scope to watch and identify waterfowl. Registration required. Ages 14 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Wednesday, 3/18; 10am
Sun and Moon Share the Sky, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for story time and crafts while learning about the spring equinox. Registration required. Ages 2-6. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This program is presented with La Grange Park Public Library. Please call (708)839-6897.
Thursday, 3/19; 10am─12pm
Forest Bathing: Celebrate the Spring Season, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Participants can experience the health benefits of being in nature. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. This program is presented with Gayle Byck of In Tune with Nature. Please call (773)758-8899.
Thursday, 3/19; 5pm─7:30pm
Restore the Night, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Remove invasive shrubs, then join our season wrap-up celebration. Registration required. Ages 8 and up. Ages 8-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Equipment will be provided. Students can earn service-learning hours. Please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 3/21; 10am─2pm
Women in the Wilds, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Celebrate women in conservation and the natural sciences with presentations, hands-on activities and information promoting job and volunteer opportunities. Please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 3/22; 1pm
World Water Day, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Celebrate World Water Day with an indoor presentation and discussion on water rights and ethics. Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045.
Sunday, 3/22; 1:30pm
Bucket Bug Hunt, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can walk through our sugar bush to find out who has fallen into the sap buckets. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Monday, 3/23 through Wednesday, 3/25; 10am─11:30am & 1 pm -2:30 pm
Spring Break Boredom Busters, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Young naturalists can enjoy jam-packed fun exploring nature, playing games, creating art, and spending time outdoors. Registration required. 10 am -Ages 5-8; 1 pm-Ages 8-12. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please call (847)381-6592.
Wednesday, 3/25; 10am
Waterfowl Watch, McGinnis Slough, Orland Park
Join us as we peer through a spotting scope to watch and identify waterfowl. Registration required. Ages 14 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Thursday, 3/26; 5:30pm
Camping 101, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
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.
Friday, 3/27; 8am
Amphibian Outing, Bemis Woods-South, Western Springs
Participants can search for amphibians while enjoying a walk during amphibians’ most active time of year. The program will begin at Grove 7. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Saturday, 3/28; 9am─3pm
IDNR ENTICE Workshop: Weather, Climate, and Climate Change, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Participants can learn about the science behind climate, weather, and climate change and how to incorporate it into your classroom. Registration required. Participants can earn professional development hours. Please visit the website.
Saturday, 3/28; 10am─2pm
Conservation at Home: Seed and Plant Exchange, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Plant lovers unite! Enjoy a presentation on native plants followed by seed and plant sharing. Participants should bring a mug because warm beverages will be provided. For more information, please call (708)771-9632.
Saturday, 3/28; 1pm
Animal Enrichment Studio, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Participants can create new items for our ambassador animals then watch how enrichment is used as an important part of their care. This program is suitable for people of all abilities. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 3/29; 1:30pm
Tree Faces, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Patrons can make faces on our trees with natural materials. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Sunday, 3/29; 1:30pm
Worst Case Scenario Hike, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Patrons can learn about safety while hiking. This program will teach safety tips and simple first aid through hands-on demonstrations while hiking. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Tuesday, 3/31; 1:30pm
Space Celebration: Storytime and Craft, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us for an outer space themed spring break program. Participants can enjoy story-time and make crafts. Registration required. Ages 2-7. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Wednesday, 4/1; 10am─1pm
Spring Break Fun Fest, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Enjoy time out of school! Youth and families can try archery, build and play with natural materials, learn orienteering, paint a bird house and more. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Thursday, 4/2; 6:30pm
Battle of the Birds, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for a good-natured discussion and debate about the finalists in Crabtree’s Annual Tournament of Winter Birds. Participants can advocate for their favorites and may the best bird win. Registration required. Ages 16 and up. Please call (847)381-6592.
Friday, 4/3; 8am
Amphibian Outing, Spears Woods, Willow Springs
Patrons can enjoy a walk and search for amphibians during their most active time of year. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Friday, 4/3; 4pm─8pm
Celebrate Jane Goodall’s Birthday with ‘GoodAllDay’, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Enjoy a day of service honoring the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall. Then, join us for hotdogs and s’mores by the campfire. This program is presented with ‘GoodAllDay’. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 4/4; 10am─12pm
Zoo Adventure Passport: Conservation Science Adventures, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Participants can explore through play-based learning, nature crafts and discovery. This program is presented with Brookfield Zoo Chicago through their Zoo Adventure Passport program also known as ZAP. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530 or visit the website.
Saturday, 4/4; 1pm
The Science of Clouds Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Patrons can learn about how water vapor forms clouds with an indoor presentation and a short walk. Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 4/4; 1pm─3pm
Paper Making Workshop, Evans Field, River Grove
Participants can learn how to make paper with recycled materials. Supplies will be provided. This program will be held outdoors around a fire. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Tuesday, 4/7; 6:30pm─8:30pm
Little Red Rocks, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for our open-mic night. Participants can share or enjoy music and poetry as the sunsets. Registration required. Please call (708)839-6897.
Wednesday, 4/8; 1pm
Everyone in Nature, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join a sensory class where individuals with disabilities and homeschoolers can learn about nature. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Thursday, 4/9; 11am & 2 pm
Spring Ephemerals, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Patrons can learn about spring’s earliest blooms on a short, guided walk. For more information, please call (773)758-8899.
Friday, 4/10; 11am─1pm
Crafternoon, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Participants can be inspired by nature and create different arts and crafts. This program is suitable for people of all abilities. For more information, please call (708)771-9632.
Friday, 4/10; 7pm
Woodcock Watch, Country Lane Woods, Willow Springs
Participants can witness the magical courtship display of the male woodcock. Registration required. Participants must bring binoculars. Please call lease call (312)533-5751.
Saturday, 4/11;10am─12pm
Woodworking with Invasives, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Patrons can learn about how to repurpose common European buckthorn into something new. Registration required. Equipment will be provided. Ages 10 and up. Ages 10-16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 4/11; 1pm
Signs of Spring Walk, Palos Park Woods-North, Palos Park
Participants can look for blooming wildflowers, listen to animals, and take in the smells of spring’s arrival. This walk will be 3.4-miles. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Saturday, 4/11 through Sunday, 4/12; 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, 4/12; 11am
GPS Scavenger Hunt, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can learn about and participate in a technology-inspired scavenger hunt. Registration required. Please call (847)824-8360.
Sunday, 4/12; 11am─2pm
Arab American Heritage Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Patrons can experience art making, cultural showcases, and more while honoring Arab American culture and contributions. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Sunday, 4/12; 12:30pm & 2 pm
GPS Scavenger Hunt, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can learn about and participate in a technology-inspired scavenger hunt. Registration required. Please call (847)824-8360.
Sunday, 4/12; 1pm
Plant Appreciation Day: The Under-appreciated Plants, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Participants can investigate some of the underappreciated gems that call Sagawau home on a short walk. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Sunday, 4/12; 1pm─3pm
Trailside Bluegrass Jam, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Patrons are welcome to play an instrument or listen to music. You can build a simple instrument with us or bring your own guitar, fiddle, etc. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
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