title
PROPOSED MISCELLANEOUS ITEM OF BUSINESS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar - 11/16/2016 - 12/13/2016
Friday, 11/18; 5 - 8 pm
Family Night Out: Stars, Stories And S’mores, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, 87th & Western, Chicago
Bring your family and friends for an opportunity to enjoy an evening in the Forest Preserves. Come join us for a cozy fire, s’mores, storytelling, astronomy, night hikes, natural material building and other nature-based activities. For more information, call 312-415-2970 or email experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov.
Saturday - Sunday, 11/19 - 11/20; 10 am - 4:30 pm
Community Tree Trim, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Get into the holiday spirit early by registering a community group for the community tree trim. Assemble your group, make your ornaments, and head to the zoo to decorate your tree.
Register at www.czs.org/treetrim <http://www.czs.org/treetrim>.
Saturday, 11/19; 10 am
Photo Meet-up at River Trail, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy a naturalist-led walk to view and photograph seasonal leaf color, scenic vistas, interesting plants and wildlife. For all photographer levels and camera types.
Sunday, 11/20; 10 am - 3 pm
44th Annual Settler’s Day, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Celebrate our heritage by stepping back into America’s past with costumed living-history demonstrators, history hikes and crafts. Admission is free, but we are accepting donations for a local food depository.
Sunday, 11/20; 1 pm
Prairie Planting, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Sow the seeds of history in this hands-on program. Hat, gloves, sturdy shoes, long pants and long-sleeved shirt recommended. Registration required.
Tuesday, 11/22; 5:30 - 7 pm
Hiking 101, Camp Bullfrog Lake, 9600 Wolf Rd, Willow Springs
Hiking 101 is a free workshop series designed to teach basic day-hiking skills. Learn the 10 essential items to bring on a hike, proper hike planning techniques, hiking etiquette and Leave No Trace, map reading and how to use a compass. No registration is required. Not suitable for ages 9 yrs. and younger. Participants 10-14 yrs. old must be accompanied by an adult.
Friday, 11/25; 9 am - Noon
Refreshing Friday, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Spend time outside! Remove invasive shrubs to help our native plants. Gloves and tools available for loan. Registration required.
Friday, 11/25 - Thursday, 12/15; 10 am - 7 pm
Friday, 12/16 - Monday, 1/2; 10 am- 5 pm
Wonderland Express, Regenstein Center, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
A celebration of artistry, horticulture, engineering, and imagination await at this holiday favorite. This family-friendly tradition includes special events such as caroling and ice sculpturing. Fees apply.Please note: The exhibit closes at 3:00 on December 2, 9 and 24 and is closed on December 25.
Friday, 11/25; 1 pm
Turkey Trop Hike, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Walk off that turkey dinner on a special post-holiday guided hike on our trails. Family program. Register by 11/23.
Friday, 12/2; 5 - 8 pm
Family Night Out: Stars, Stories And S’mores, Caldwell Woods, Chicago
Bring your family and friends for an opportunity to enjoy an evening in the Forest Preserves. Come join us for a cozy fire, s’mores, storytelling, astronomy, night hikes, natural material building and other nature-based activities. For more information, call 312-415-2970 or email experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov.
Saturdays and Sundays, 12/3-4, 10-11, 17-18, and Monday - Saturday, 12/26 - 31
Holiday Magic 2016, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Now in its 35th year, celebrate Chicagoland’s largest and longest running lights festival. With over one million twinkling LED lights, it’s a magical time for the entire family.
Saturday, 12/3; Sunday, 12/4; Saturday, 12/17; 9:30 - 11 am and 1 - 2:30 pm
Weekend Family Class: Joyful Gingerbread; Regenstein Learning Campus, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Join us for a revamped version of this holiday favorite class in our new ITW Kitchen Classroom on the Regenstein Learning Campus. Participants will make, bake, and decorate their own cookie to enjoy as well as explore all the different plants and plant parts need to make this traditional winter sweet treat. Fees apply.
Saturday, 12/3; 1 pm
Botanical Beverages, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
What do teas, hot cocoa and tequila have in common? Come learn about plant-based beverages.
Sunday, 12/4; 1:30 - 3 pm
Beginner Snowshoe Hike, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for a quick lesson on snowshoeing basics and then enjoy a guided winter hike on our trails with snowshoes if there’s snow (requires a minimum 4" snow base) or on foot if not. Limited number of snowshoes available; registration required at least two days prior to reserve snowshoes.
Sunday, 12/4; 1:30 pm
Cook County Critters, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Many animals call the nature center home. Meet one of these animals during a casual afternoon encounter.
Wednesday, 12/7; 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Survivor!, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, 8030 W Chicago Ave, River Forest
Great for families! Test your skills in our scenario-based game that will lead you on a hike throughout the preserve and face you with challenging questions and situations that will help teach you about making the right decisions in outdoor survival situations.
Saturday, 12/10; 10 am - Noon
R,I.P. Workday, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Assist us with Removing Invasive Plants. Individuals and families welcome. Not suitable for ages 9 yrs. and younger. Participants 10yrs. - 14yrs. old must be accompanied by an adult. Registration not required.
Saturday, 12/10; 1 pm
Cross-Country Ski Seminar, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn the basics of cross-country ski equipment and how to prepare for your first cross-country skiing experience. We’ll cover skis, boots and poles - including classic, skating and telemark equipment. Proper clothing, winter safety and what to expect the first time you ski will also be discussed.
Saturday, 12/10; 1 - 2:30 pm
Winter Play Drop-in, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Come explore our nature play area with special activities, and enjoy a warming campfire, too! Drop-in family program.
Sunday, 12/11; 11 am - 3 pm
Christmas Past, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Visit our pioneer cabins as we celebrate this joyous time of year in a simpler way with homemade toys, chestnuts roasting and popcorn popping in the open fire. Everyone is invited to make a craft to take home.
District(s): Districtwide
end