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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 4/8/25 - 5/5/2025
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Saturday, 4/12; 8am
Fishing Derby, Papoose Lake, Palos Park
Join us for a fun family day of fishing. Prizes will be awarded. This program is presented by the Village of Palos Park and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Thursday, 4/12; 8am - 10am
Bird Walk, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Join a naturalist as we explore the preserve while looking for local birds. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317.
Saturday, 4/12; 8am
Signs of Spring Walk, Palos Park Woods, Palos Park
Join us for a 3.4-mile walk while observing the blooming wildflowers, listening to animals and taking in the smells of spring’s arrival. This program is perfect for families. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 4/12; 1pm
Climatology 101, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Climate affects everything including our planet which requires us to be climate-savvy. Join us for a discussion on how climate change affects the Forest Preserves. For more information, please call (630) 257-2045.
Saturday, 4/12; 5pm - 7pm
Woodcock Watch, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a walk during dusk to look for the American woodcock and potentially witness their dramatic courtship flights. Registration required. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Sunday, 4/13; 10am
Babies and Booties, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Grab your boots and join us for a family spring hike! For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Sunday, 4/13; 11am
GPS Scavenger Hunt, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. Registration required. All ages. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 4/13; 12:30pm
GPS Scavenger Hunt, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. Registration required. All ages. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 4/13; 1pm
Plant Appreciation Day - The Under-appreciated Plants, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join a naturalist for a discussion and short walk to investigate some of the underappreciated gems that call Sagawau home. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (630) 257-2045.
Sunday, 4/13; 1pm - 3pm
Pollinator Pockets, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Drop-in and learn how to create your own pocket garden for pollinators. You can learn about our local bees and butterflies as well as make a seed bomb to plant at home. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 4/13; 2pm
GPS Scavenger Hunt, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt. Registration required. All ages. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Thursday, 4/17; 10am - 12pm
Story Trails, Catherine Chevalier Woods, Chicago
In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, experience a story unfold along a short trail. A craft will be available to take home upon completion. Registration required. This event will be held at Grove 1. Please call (773)758-8899.
Thursday, 4/17; 6pm
International Bat Appreciation Folktale and Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a folktale about bats as we hike and discuss the importance of these amazing flying mammals. This program is presented with LaGrange Park Library. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Thursday, 4/17; 7pm
Nature Book Club: “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us for a lively discussion of the bestselling book: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Registration required. This program is presented with Forest Park Public Library. Ages 18 and up. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 4/18; 3pm - 5pm
Earth Day Cleanup, Jerome Huppert Woods, River Grove
Celebrate Earth Day by helping clean up litter in the Forest Preserves. Litter picks and supplies will be available to check out. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 4/19; 8am
Earth Day: Bike Ride, Sauk Trail Woods-Central, South Chicago Heights
Join us for a guided bike ride around Sauk Trail Woods. The bike ride will be approximately 5 miles, and you must bring your own bike and helmet. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317.
Saturday, 4/19; 10am - 1pm
Earth Day Celebration, Sauk Trail Woods-Central, South Chicago Heights
Celebrate planet Earth with games, artmaking and other family fun! For more information, please call (224) 763-4317.
Saturday, 4/19; 11am - 1pm
Earth Day Hike and Plant ID, Schiller Woods-East, Chicago
A member from the American Indian Center will lead a hike through the woods to identify trees and plants, discuss sustainable practices, and teach participants how Native people view plants as relatives. This event will be held at Grove 13 and is presented by the American Indian Center. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 4/19; 11am - 2pm
Earth Day Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Drop-in and celebrate Earth’s biodiversity through stewardship, art and educational activities. There will be free plant giveaways. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 4/19; 12pm - 3pm
Earth Day Nature Play, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Play, plant, paint and pretend with family-fun activities. For more information, please call (847) 381-6598.
Saturday, 4/19; 1pm - 3pm
Earth Day Clean up, Schiller Woods-East, Chicago
Celebrate Earth Day by helping clean up litter in the Forest Preserves. Litter picks and supplies will be available to check out. This event will be held at Grove 13. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 4/19; 1pm - 3pm
Senior Walk and Sketch, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a leisurely stroll through our trails while we sketch what we see. Registration required. This program is geared towards seniors but is open to participants ages 18 and up. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Sunday, 4/20; 1pm
Earth Day: Garlic Mustard Pull, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
You can make a difference on Earth Day by removing invasive garlic mustard from our wetlands. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (630) 257-2045.
Tuesday, 4/22; 10am - 12pm
Earth Day, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Drop-in and celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean the Forest Preserves. Litter pick-up supplies are available to check out. For more information, please call (773)758-8899.
Tuesday, 4/22; 3pm - 5pm
Earth Day, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Drop-in and celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean the Forest Preserves. Litter pick-up supplies are available to check out. For more information, please call (773)758-8899.
Friday, 4/25; 4pm - 6pm
Teen Exploration Day: Wetland Clean Up and Lab, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Wetlands are superheroes of the natural world! You can earn service-learning hours by removing litter while learning what makes this ecosystem so super. Ages 13-17. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317.
Friday, 4/25; 7:30pm
Nature at Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Explore the world of nature after the sun sets. Registration required. The cost is $5 per person. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Saturday, 4/26; 10am
ESL Walking Club, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for a guided walk and discuss nature related topics with other adult English Language Learners. For more information, please call (847) 381-6598.
Saturday, 4/26; 10am - 12pm
Celebrate Earth Day Activities, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Drop-in and celebrate Earth! There are many activities like making bird feeders, picking up litter, walking wildflower and creating recycled art. Participants can take home a small tree. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 4/26; 12pm - 5pm
Community Powwow: MMIR, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Join us for this informative program to bring awareness of community and social justice. Our Native American partners will discuss the obstacles their communities have faced in seeking justice for women and their families. For more information, please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 4/26; 1pm - 3:30pm
Hike the Freedom Trail Tour, Beaubien Woods Chicago
Join us for this bus ride and walk and learn about the Freedom Seekers. Experts will share the story of the Freedom Seekers who traveled the Underground Railroad through the Calumet region. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 4/27; 1pm - 2pm
Wildflower Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us and witness the beauty of spring ephemerals before they are gone! Registration required. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Sunday, 4/27; 1:30pm
Spring Stroll, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy a walk to highlight the signs of spring. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Monday, 4/28; 8:30pm
Dark Sky Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Enjoy an evening walk through our woods and get a close-up view of the night sky. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Thursday, 5/1; 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Fiber Arts Circle, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Participants can practice or learn about fiber arts with others in a relaxing and natural environment. Registration required. This program is open to all skill levels. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Thursday, 5/1; 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Evening Walk: Stars and Stories, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Join us at the Pavilion for a reading of the book: Follow the Drinking Gourd. You will learn about the significance of why reading the stars was important for survival. All ages. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317.
Thursday, 5/1; 7pm
Adult Night Hike: Wolf Road Woods, Willow Springs
Join us and learn about nocturnal animals and the night sky. Then participate in a guided 1.5-mile night hike. This program is BYOB. Ages 21 and up. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751.
Friday, 5/2; 6:30pm - 8pm
Nature Exploration for Girl Scouts, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Girls will enjoy a guided 2-mile walk through the woods. This program is open to Cadettes-Ambassadors Troops and 2-3 Volunteers. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 5/3: 11am - 3pm
Mental Health Resource Fair, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us and learn about mental health resources in the Northwest Suburbs. This program is offered in partnership with the Kenneth Young Center. For more information, please call (847) 381-6598.
Saturday, 5/3: 1pm
Bienvenidos Birds, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for an indoor presentation about the bird migration journey from Mexico to the Chicagoland area. For more information, please call (630) 257-2045.
Sunday, 5/4; 12pm - 3pm
Spring Festival, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Don’t miss interactive programs that include kids’ tree climbs, guided wildflower walks, bird banding, kid’s nature crafts, gardening information and more. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 5/4; 1:30pm
Frog Frenzy, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn how to dress, act, and live like a frog. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
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