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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar - 2/8/2018 to 3/13/2018
Daily, 2/10 - 3/25; 10 am - 4 pm
Asia in Bloom: The Orchid Show, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
With more than 10,000 vibrant orchids, all blooming at once, this year’s Orchid Show will evoke the beauty and serenity of Asia. Fee applies. New: Open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays (a cash bar will be available).
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2/13 - 3/22; 10 am
Morning Music with Orchids, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Wednesday, 3/7; 6 pm - 8 pm
Evening with Orchids: Cocktail Tasting, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Fee applies.
Thursday, 3/29; 12 pm - 4 pm
Post-Orchid Show Plant Sale, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Noon to 2 p.m.: All Garden members. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Public welcome. While supplies last.
Sunday, 2/11; 2 pm
Winter Walk in the McDonald Woods, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Saturday, 2/24; 10 am - 3 pm
Windy City Harvest Youth Farm Facilitator Training, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Fee applies; contact Eliza Fournier at efournier@chicagobotanic.org
Saturday, 2/10; 6:30 pm and Sunday, 2/11; 11 am
Valentine’s Dinner & Brunch, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in a unique way with a cocktail reception and dinner or champagne brunch at Brookfield Zoo. For reservations, visit www.czs.org/Brookfield-Zoo/Events.
Sunday, 2/11; 10 am - 2 pm
Freeze Day, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Enjoy free admission to the Zoo and join the Green Valley Dog Drivers for dogsled demonstrations, sled runs, and other winter animal fun.
Saturday, 2/24; 4 pm
Winter Wine and Whiskey Fest, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Come out of your winter hibernation and warm up at Brookfield Zoo's first ever Winter Wine and Whiskey Fest! This fun-filled event features wine and whiskey samples, live music, and meet and greets with Animal Ambassadors. For reservations, visit www.czs.org/Brookfield-Zoo/Events.
Friday, 2/9; 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sweetheart Night Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Sweethearts are invited to enjoy the Nature Center at their leisure. Enjoy a casual bite to eat, hike a short trail, sit by a campfire, roast marshmallows, or enjoy the exhibits inside. Register by 2/5. Ages 21 & up. Limit 40. $20/couple.
Saturday, 2/10; 9 am - 3 pm
Surf the White Winter Wave, Sagawau Environmental Learning, Lemont
Don’t let the weather get you down! Join the fun as we take a Polynesian spin on winter by skiing the “frozen wave” our winter storms leave in their wake. After skiing, relax and enjoy surfing videos and live updates on surfing conditions from Oahu’s North Shore. Dress Hawaiian and win a prize! Event will take place if ski trails are open.
Monday, 2/19; 12 pm - 3 pm;
Snowshoe Trekking - President’s Day, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Come out, get active and enjoy the Forest Preserves on Snowshoes! This free program is open to the whole family and will include guided nature hikes, skins and skulls and a warm fire. Snowshoeing requires at least 4” of hard snow. Program will happen whether or not there is snow.
Sunday, 2/11; 1:30 pm
Sit Down With a Skunk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about skunks’ unique adaptations and meet River Trail’s resident Striped Skunk.
Monday, 2/12; 1:30 pm
Holiday Program: Chicago Megafauna, Past and Present, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn about the large mammals that were formerly found in our area and that are now making their way back to their historical range. We’ll have skins and skulls for you to see and touch.
Saturday, 2/17; 9 am - 3 pm
Birch Leggings and the Birkie, Sagawau Environmental Learning, Lemont
How did an infant prince form the 12th century inspire the world’s most famous Nordic ski race? Learn the history of the Birkebeiner Ski Race and how it became “the greatest show on the snow.” Ski with wood skis and wool knickers or dress like a Viking and win a prize! Event will take place if ski trails are open.
Sunday, 2/18; 1 pm
Winter Bird Hike, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Open your closets, grab your warmest winter gear and your favorite optics for a winter bird hike. We will look for both winter migrants and resident birds on our local trail system.
Saturdays & Sundays, 2/24-3/17; 1:30 pm
Sap’s Rising, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Walk in the sugar maple forest as winter comes to an end and learn about the sweet history of maple syrup making.
Saturday, 2/24; 12 pm - 4 pm
Outdoor Adventures, Winter Warm-up, North Creek Meadow, Chicago Heights
Bundle up the family and enjoy the 2018 Forest Preserves Winter Olympics! Put your physical skills to the test with winter-based sports and games. Challenge your mental skills with nature puzzles, bird quizzes and more. Participants and spectators of all ages welcome.
Saturday, 2/24; 8 am
The Birds Think it is Spring, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
As soon as days begin to lengthen, cardinals, chickadees and other birds sing to court and set up territories. See what our resident birds are up to on a walk, feeder watch or both, depending on the weather. For adults and teens.
Saturday, 2/24; 1:30 pm
Camo Kids, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Come dressed in your best camouflage outfit. We will do a scavenger hunt outside, demonstrating how blending in works for predators and prey. Children ages 7 & up.
Sunday, 2/25; 11 am - 3 pm
Black History Month: Underground Railroad Hike, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us to learn about Black History Month with an educational display and interactive history hike. An imaginary journey follows an Underground Railroad route used in Illinois in the mid-1800s.
Saturday, 3/3; 1:30 pm
Sun Gazing, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Stop on by to learn about our nearest star and take a look with our filtered telescope.
Monday, 3/5; 11 am - 2 pm;
Snowshoe Trekking - Casimir Pulaski Day, St Mihiel Woods East, Tinley Park
Come out, get active and enjoy the Forest Preserves on Snowshoes! This free program is open to the whole family and will include guided nature hikes, skins and skulls and a warm fire. Snowshoeing requires at least 4” of hard snow. Program will happen whether or not there is snow.
Saturday, 3/10; 1 pm
One Earth Film Festival, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us for a free showing of children’s films at 9 am, teen films at 11 am, and the film “Jane,” 1 pm. Discussions and other activities included. Meet at Thatcher Pavilion, 8030 Chicago Ave. For festival details, visit oneearthfilmfest.org.
Sunday, 3/11; 11 am - 1:30 pm
Outdoor Adventures, Conservation @ Home: Kick Start Your Home Garden!, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Join us as we celebrate the start of spring through gardening! Learn how to create a sustainable garden using conservation practices and talk to local organizations about native landscaping and gardening. There will be a Conservation@Home presentation at noon.end