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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 2/3/2026 - 3/9/2026
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 2/3; 10am
Groundhogs 101, Brookfield Woods, Brookfield
Patrons can learn about the groundhog, which is one of Chicagoland’s only true hibernating animals. Then take a short hike to explore their habitat. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Wednesday, 2/4; 12pm─4pm
Black History Month Story Trails, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Join us for a self-guided story featuring a prominent African American figure. For more information, please call (708)771-9632.
Saturday, 2/7; 9am─12pm
Winterpalooza, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Join us for winter activities including hikes, broom hockey, shelter building and more. This program is presented with the Portage Creek Boy Scouts. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/7; 10am─11:30am
Walk and Talk: Black History Month Celebration, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Participants can learn about Black environmentalists and the history of the Forest Preserves’ trails as it relates to the Underground Railroad. Registration required. This program will begin at Grove 1. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 2/7; 10:30am─12:30pm
Winter Trails and Camp Fire Details, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Participants can 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, 2/7; 11am─1pm
Black History Month Kickoff, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Discover the voice behind America Outdoors! Patrons can watch a brief viewing of this inspiring PBS series and explore the work of writer, conservationist, and storyteller, Baratunde Thurston. Refreshments will be served throughout the program. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Saturday, 2/7; 12pm─3pm
Winter Nature Camp, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Participants can learn about the significance of winter in Native American culture. Registration required. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 2/7; 1pm
Extreme Winter Weather, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
What causes the extreme, cold temperatures during the winter? Stay warm inside while learning about these weather events. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 2/7; 1:30pm
Owls, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Patrons can visit the nature center and learn about the fascinating owls as well as meet an ambassador animal. Registration required. This is a family program. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 2/8; 10am─2pm
Lunar New Year, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Participants can embrace the promise of luck and prosperity in 2026 by honoring the Year of the Horse through festive activities, hands-on crafts, and lively performances. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Sunday, 2/8; 1:30pm
Superb Owl Party, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us and celebrate owls while learning what makes them so unique. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Wednesday, 2/11; 9am
International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join women experts, youth, and professionals in dialogues and discussion to put science, technology and innovation at the heart of sustainable development programs. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Thursday, 2/12; 10am
Wellness in the Woods: The Cupid Shuffle, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Embrace a healthy heart and your well-being! Join us for a guided walk, then warm up with hot tea. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Thursday, 2/12; 2pm
Wellness in the Woods: The Cupid Shuffle, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Embrace a healthy heart and your well-being! Join us for a guided walk, then warm up with hot tea. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Friday, 2/13; 11am─2pm
Crafternoon: Paint and Sip, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Patrons can paint and sip a cup of hot chocolate. Supplies will be provided. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Saturday, 2/14; 6:15am
Sunrise Hike, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join a nature expert to experience the greatness and peace of a winter sunrise. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 2/14; 10:30am
Animal Courtship Walk, Spears Woods, Willow Springs
Love is in the air! Join us for a hike with a nature expert and learn how animals express their love and attraction. The nature walk will be 2.5 miles. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 2/14; 1:30pm
Nature Walk and Mingle for Singles, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Patrons can join other singles for a walk, then break the ice indoors over warm beverages and games. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 2/14; 5:30pm─9pm
Sweetheart Night Hike, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Couples and friends are invited to hike candlelit trails, relax around a campfire and warm up inside with a catered dinner and warm beverages. Registration required by 2/9. Ages 21 and up. The cost is $30 per person. Please call (847)824-8360.
Wednesday, 2/18 through Sunday, 2/22; 9am
Birkie Week, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Participants can ski with wood skis and wool knickers to win a prize then test their skiing knowledge by answering daily trivia about the Birkebeiner Ski Race. For more information, please call (630)257-2045.
Wednesday, 2/18; 12pm─4pm
Black History Month Story Trails, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Join us for a self-guided story featuring a prominent African American figure. For more information, please call (708)771-9632.
Sunday, 2/19; 10 am - 12
Holiday Restoration and S’mores Series, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can remove invasive species, participate in a brush pile burn and then enjoy s’mores. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Equipment will be provided. Students can earn service-learning hours. Please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 2/21; 10am
Walk and Talk: Black History Month, Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale
Walk and Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be led at a slower pace with frequent stopping and interpretation. This nature walk will be 1-mile. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 2/21; 10am─3pm
Cold Case, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Drop-in and take a self-guided walk to examine clues and investigate the mystery of an environmental crime scene on the nature center grounds. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Saturdays & Sundays, 2/21-3/1; 10:30am & 1:30 pm
Sap’s Rising, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can walk in the sugar maple forest and learn about the sweet process of making maple syrup. Registration required. Please call (847)824-8360.
Saturday, 2/21; 10:30am─12:30pm
Winter Trails and Camp Fire Details, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Participants can 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, 2/21; 11am & 2 pm
If Walls Could Talk: Stories of the Underground Railroad-Part I, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can enjoy indoor performances of joy, power and determination, celebrating the African-descended genius of scientific and botanical discovery. Registration required. This program is presented by Mama Edie. Please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 2/21; 1pm
Winter 'Brr'ding, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Patrons can enjoy an indoor presentation where we talk about winter and the irruptive bird species. Registration required. Ages 16 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 2/21; 1pm─3pm
Board Game Afternoon, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Bring family and friends to an afternoon of nature-based board game fun! Adult and kid-friendly board games will be available. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Sunday, 2/22; 9:30am─11:30am
Restoration Workday, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Participants can join nature experts as we help restore our ecosystems by removing invasive species. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Please visit the website.
Sunday, 2/22; 10am─12:30pm
Black History Month Celebration: Poetry, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Patrons can enjoy live poetry readings and learn about Chicagoland black poets. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 2/22; 1pm─3pm
Lunar New Year, St. Paul Woods, Morton Grove
Participants can enjoy this festive celebration with an afternoon of family-friendly activities and cultural traditions. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 2/27; 7:30am
Sunrise Stroll, Spears Woods, Willow Springs
Patrons can enjoy a stroll through the Forest Preserves at sunrise. This nature walk will be 2.5-miles. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 2/28; 9:30am─11:30am
Restoration Workday, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Participants can join nature experts as we help restore our ecosystems by removing invasive species. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Please visit the website.
Saturday, 2/28; 10am─1pm
In Our Nature: Celebrating Black Voices, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Patrons can enjoy an inspiring celebration of Black voices in nature through storytelling, shared learning, meaningful connections and a collaborative hands-on art experience. For more information, please call (708)771-9632.
Saturday, 2/28; 1pm─2pm
Local Stories of the Underground Railroad, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can learn the history of local people, places and events that shaped the Underground Railroad. Registration required. This program is presented by the Midwest Underground Railroad Network. Please call (708)868-0606.
Monday, 3/2; 5pm─7pm
Teen Nature Recharge, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Celebrate World Teen Mental Wellness Day with a relaxing evening in nature full of self-care and community. Registration required. Ages 13-17. Please call (847)381-6592.
Tuesday, 3/3; 4am─6am
Blood Moon Rising: A Lunar Eclipse Night, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Experience the awe of a total lunar eclipse and watch Earth’s shadow dance across the moon in a breathtaking celestial display. Participants can enjoy a sunrise walk. Registration required. Participants must bring a chair. Please call (708)839-6897.
Saturday, 3/7; 9am─5pm
Women Environmentalists: Self-Guided Trail Exhibition, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Celebrate women past and present who have contributed to biology, conservation, environmental justice and more with presentations, activities and exhibits. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 3/7; 10am
Walk and Talk: Women in Conservation, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Walk and Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be led at a slower pace with frequent stopping and interpretation. Registration required. This program will begin at Grove 1. Please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Saturday, 3/7; 10am & 2 pm
Maple Tree Tapping, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Patrons can enjoy a short walk and watch a maple tree tapping demonstration. Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 3/7; 10am
Walk and Talk: Women’s History Month, Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-East, Oak Forest
Walk and Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be led at a slower pace with frequent stopping and interpretation.
Saturday, 3/7; 1pm
Women Environmentalists: Women’s History Program, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Celebrate women past and present who have contributed to biology, conservation, environmental justice and more with presentations, activities and exhibits. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 3/8; 10am
Women’s Heritage Month Walk, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Walk and learn about conservation leader Isabel Bassett Wasson and her work and discoveries at Thatcher Woods. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Sunday, 3/8; 12pm─2pm
Conservation at Home: Native Seed Starter Pots, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can welcome spring by planting wildflower seeds in upcycled seedling pots. Materials will be provided. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
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