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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 11/19/2024 - 12/16/2024
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 11/19; 10am
Qigong and Sound, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join a certified instructor through a series of slow flowing movements, deep measured breaths, and soothing sounds while in a chair or standing. Ages 18 and up. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Tuesday, 11/19 through Monday, 12/16; 4:30pm - 11pm
Lightscape, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Join us and embrace the spirit and beauty of the season with glowing of lights, art, and music! We are celebrating the sixth year of this annual holiday celebration. We are taking this year’s celebration to new heights and lights with our re-imagined trail that will have dazzling installations debuting in the U.S. for the first time. You can leave your to-do list at home and make lasting memories at Lightscape. This event has tiered cost and timeslots. For more information, please visit the website.
Wednesday, 11/20; 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Weaving Workshop, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
You can create a small wall hanging art pieces using natural materials. Ages 10 and up. Supplies and instructions will be provided. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751.
Thursday, 11/21; 10:30am - 12pm
Mnidoons Giizis Oohg means Little Spirit Moon, Schiller Woods-East, Chicago
November is recognized as the “Twelfth Moon of Creation” also known as a time of healing by the Ojibwe people. Join us as we listen to stories about healing from the American Indian Center’s Cultural Ambassador. This event will be held at Grove 10, and it is presented with the American Indian Center of Chicago. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Friday, 11/22; 7pm
Owl Prowl, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Whoo’s calling out in the dark of night? Join us and learn about and listen to owls. Registration required. Please call (847) 381-6598.
Saturday, 11/23; 10am - 11:30am
Fire for the Forest, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us on a 1-mile walk and learn about the benefits of prescribed burns. You will explore the equipment and learn about how prescribed burns help nature. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 11/23; 10am - 2pm
Sand Ridge: Calumet Heritage Day, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we explore the heritage of the Calumet region with guided walks, regional activities and displays. For more information, please call (708) 868-0606.
Saturday, 11/23; 1pm - 3pm
Teen Exploration Day: Rock Climbing, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Join us for an adventurous day and test your nerves by climbing our rock wall. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 11/22; 7pm
Knock, Knock! Who’s there? Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Knock, knock! Who’s is there? It is our native woodpeckers, that’s who! Learn about their adaptations, make your own feeder, and go on a binocular hunt. Registration required. Please call (847) 381-6598.
Sunday, 11/24; 1pm
Owls: Who are your neighbors? Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for an indoor presentation and discussion and learn about this group of nocturnal birds. Registration required. Please call (630) 257-2045.
Sunday, 11/24; 1:30pm
Changing Seasons, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us and learn about how nature adapts to the changing seasons and prepares for winter. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Friday, 11/29; 1:30pm
Annual Turkey Trot Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Walk off that extra helping of turkey and stuffing on this annual post-holiday walk. For more information, please call (708)366-6530.
Saturday, 11/30; 1:30pm
Feed the Birds, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Learn about the best bird foods, feeders, and landscape elements to benefit our resident winter birds. You will even make a simple bird feeder to take home! For more information, please call (708)366-6530.
Sunday, 12/1; 5:30pm
Serenity Walk Under the New Moon, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a 2-mile walk in the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place. Registration required. Ages 14 and up. This event will be dependent upon trail conditions. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Thursday, 12/5; 10am - 11am
Tiny Tot Adventures, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Join us for an adventure in nature through movement, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 with an adult. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317.
Friday, 12/6; 10am
ADA Trail Walk, Miller Meadow-South, Maywood
Join us for a guided walk on the 1.7-mile paved trail. This event will begin at Grove 5 and will include rest points throughout the walk. This event is wheelchair accessible, and it is open to all individuals. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751.
Saturday, 12/7; 1pm
Cross-Country Ski Seminar, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us and learn the basics of cross-country ski equipment and how to prepare for your first cross-country skiing experience. Registration required. Skis, boots, and poles will be provided. The options will include classic, skating and telemark equipment. This event is dependent on the weather. Please call (630) 257-2045.
Saturday, 12/7; 8am - 10am
Birds and Bagels, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us at our indoor bird feeders while enjoying complementary hot drinks and bagels. We will conclude the day with a bird walk. Registration required. Ages 8 and up. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Saturday, 12/7; 11am - 12pm
Wellness in the Woods: Yoga, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Join us for a free class focused on building stability, flexibility and relaxation through the practices of breathwork, mindful movement and meditation. It will help you bring balance and ease to your mind and body through a series of seated, kneeling, lying and standing poses. The yoga class will be held indoors and will be led by Liz, from Serendipity Yoga and Wellness in Homewood. Please come dressed comfortably in active wear with your yoga mat. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317.
Saturday, 12/7; 1pm
Owl Program, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for an indoor presentation about these skilled nocturnal hunters.
Saturday, 12/7; 4pm - 8pm
Winter Bonfire, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Celebrate the start of the winter season with a giant bonfire under the night sky. You can enjoy s’mores, winter crafts and star gazing. There will be a shuttle bus provided at Potawatomi Woods. There will be food available for purchase onsite. Some of the activities will be dependent on the weather. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 12/8; 11am - 3pm
Holiday Past, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us at our pioneer cabins as we celebrate winter holiday traditions. You can play with handmade toys, make a craft, and see what’s cooking on the open fire. For more information, please call (708) 868-0606.
Thursday, 12/12; 7pm
Nature Book Club: “What an Owl Knows” by J. Ackerman, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Enjoy a discussion about this bestselling book that researched and detailed the deepest mysteries of owls. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. This event is presented with the Forest Park Public Library. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 12/13; 7pm
Evening Owl Prowl, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a guided walk on our trails to search for local owls. Registration required. Ages 8 and up. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Saturday, 12/14; 10am - 12pm
Prehistoric Play Day, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Learn about the amazing world of Ice Age Illinois through a series of family-oriented games and activities. Ages 5 and up. For more information, please call (773) 758-8899.
Saturday, 12/14; 10am - 12pm
S’mores Party, Swallow Cliff Woods-North, Palos Park
Families can make a tasty treat with us around a campfire. The activities will include a s’more-themed craft, a story trail, guided walks, sledding, snowshoeing and more. This is a drop-in event and some of the activities are dependent on the weather. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 12/14; 3:30pm - 7pm
Winter Bonfire, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Join us as we celebrate the beginning of winter with a large bonfire, making artwork, nature walks and more. For more information, please visit the website.
Sunday, 12/15; 5:30am
Dawn Owl Prowl, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us and listen to owls as part of the annual Christmas Bird Count. Registration required. Ages 10 and up. This event will be led by John Elliot from the Chicago Bird Alliance. Please call (708)366-6530.
Sunday, 12/15; 6am - 7am
Full Moon Owl Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for an early morning stroll in search of owls followed by hot drinks to warm up. Registration required. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Sunday, 12/15; 1pm
Cross-Country Ski Seminar, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us and learn the basics of cross-country ski equipment and how to prepare for your first cross-country skiing experience. Registration required. Skis, boots, and poles will be provided. The options will include classic, skating and telemark equipment. This event is dependent on the weather. Please call (630) 257-2045.
Sunday, 12/15; 5pm
Winter Ecology, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a discussion around the fire under a full moon. We will discuss the importance of the winter season and the survival of plants and animals. Registration required. Please call (708) 839-6897.
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