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PROPOSED MISCELLANEOUS ITEM OF BUSINESS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar - 12/14/2016 - 1/17/2017
Saturday, 12/17/2016 - Monday, 3/6/2017; 9 am - 4 pm
Cross-Country Ski Trails Open, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Sagawau Nordic is open daily, 9 am - 4 pm. Trails will be opened and groomed as snow conditions permit and could include an early start or late finish. Watch our Facebook page and call 630-257-2045 for the most up-to-date trail conditions.
Saturdays and Sundays, 12/17-18, 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, 12/17; 12 - 3 pm
Snowshoe Trekking Plus, Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest
There’s no better way to experience the Forest Preserves in winter than by snowshoe. Come out to these campgrounds (snow conditions permitting) and try our snowshoes for free. Open to the public, no registration required. There must be at least 4″ of hard snow on the ground in order to snowshoe. Call the campground at 312-636-0041 for snow conditions. If there isn’t enough snow, we’ll still be out with hikes, games, fire and other outdoor fun.
Sunday, 12/18 and Sunday, 1/15; 2 pm and 3:30 pm
Winter Walk in the McDonald Woods, Chicago Botanic Garden
Get outside and take a free, guided, 40-minute winter nature walk in the McDonald Woods. Meet at the McDonald Woods Shelter, and warm up by a roaring fire afterwards. Dress for the weather. Free.
Sunday, 12/18; 1 - 2:30 pm
Here Comes the Sun - Winter Solstice Drop-In, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Celebrate the winter solstice with a peek at the sun through a telescope by a campfire. Drop-in family program.
Sunday, 12/18; 6 - 8 pm
SUN-day Solstice Fire, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Celebrate the beginning of winter with stories, warm snacks and a large fire. $2/person.
Monday, 12/19; 11 am and 1 pm
Hot Chocolate with Mrs. Claus, Regenstein Center, Chicago Botanic Garden
Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and story time with Mrs. Claus. Fees apply.
Wednesday, 12/21; 8:30 pm
Winter Solstice Bonfire, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
The winter solstice has been celebrated for centuries. We will celebrate the shortest day of the year with a short nature walk, singing around the bonfire, and trimming of the wildlife tree. Register in-person starting December 1. This program is for families only, and requires a $3 fee per person. Not suitable for groups.
Wednesday, 12/21; 7 pm
Solstice Celebration, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Learn about the science and mythology surrounding the solstice, and enjoy a hot drink around a campfire. Call to reserve your spot.
Tuesday - Thursday, 12/27 - 12/29; 9:30 am - 12 pm daily
Winter Nature Camp, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for a three-day camp where we’ll explore the wonders of nature in winter. Ages 7-10. Register by 12/20. $15 per child.
Thursday, 12/29; 11 am and 1 pm
Hanukkah Concert, Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
The clarinet swings, voices rise, everyone is dancing! The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band will perform two festive one-hour concerts. Ticket price includes concert and a visit to Wonderland Express. Fees apply.
Tuesday, 1/3; 1 pm
New Year’s Resolution Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us on a long winter walk through the woods. Afterwards, warm up with some hot cider. Dress for the weather! Family program.
Wednesday 1/4; 12 - 5 pm
Winter Breakout Adventures, Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest
Dash through the snow and have fun during the winter holiday season. Embrace your time off from school and head out to the Forest Preserves campgrounds for an exciting day of winter games and activities. Sledding and snowshoeing is a definite must-snowfall permitting.
Thursday, 1/5; 12 - 5 pm
Winter Breakout Adventures, Camp Reinberg, 1801 N Quentin Rd, Palatine
Dash through the snow and have fun during the winter holiday season. Embrace your time off from school and head out to the Forest Preserves campgrounds for an exciting day of winter games and activities. Sledding and snowshoeing is a definite must-snowfall permitting.
Saturday, 1/7; 1 pm
Drawing Nature I, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn to draw what you see and develop your skills. Bring your favorite materials or use some of ours. Adults and teens. Registration required.
Saturday, 1/7; 1:30 pm
Winter Nature Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for an off-site nature hike as we explore one of the Preserve’s hidden gems. Dress and prepare for the weather. Meeting location at McClaughrey Springs Woods, 11762 Kean Ave, Palos Park. Registration required. Family program. Limit 20.
Sunday, 1/8; 1:30 pm
Pioneer Living Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Have you ever wondered what life was like 200 years ago? Visit our cabins and find out what the pioneers experienced.
Sunday, 1/8; 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.
Wednesday, 1/11; 12 pm
Cold Weather Creations, Swallow Cliff Stairs Pavilion, Willow Springs
Join us we celebrate the winter season through art making. We will be inspired by the winter weather and landscape to create various art and craft pieces. Hot cocoa and other refreshments will be served. All ages.
Friday, 1/13; 7 pm
Evening Owl Hike, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Join us for an informative talk about these nocturnal hunters. Afterwards we’ll hike our trails to look for these unique predators. Call to reserve your spot.
Saturday, 1/14; 12 - 4 pm
Winter Exploration Days, Caldwell Woods Warming Shelter, 6350 W Devon Ave, Chicago
Get out to your local Forest Preserve and explore the natural beauty of winter! Each special event offers activities to prepare you for a delightful winter time experience. Learn how to navigate using new-found orienteering skills, create snowshoes and backpacks from natural materials and track animals that make the Preserves their home during winter. Snowshoeing and sledding will be available, should weather conditions permit. Please join us for one or all events! For further details call 708-386-4042.
Monday, 1/16; 12 - 3 pm
M.L.K. Jr. Day of Service, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Groves 6 - 9,
87th & Western, Chicago
Join us for a day of stewardship. Try your hand at restoration by helping remove invasive plants while learning about efforts being made to maintain healthy habitats. Warm up with a hot drink and a brush pile burn while also enjoying some winter family-fun activities. Groups with more than 10 people, please register in advance with credell.walls@cookcountyil.gov <mailto:credell.walls@cookcountyil.gov>.
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