title
PROPOSED MISCELLANEOUS ITEM OF BUSINESS
Department: Conservation & Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Events & Activities Calendar - 1/17/2017 - 2/8/2017
WINTER SNOW FUN (with appropriate snow conditions)
Saturday, 12/17 - Monday, 3/6; Open daily, 9 am - 4 pm.
Cross-Country Ski Trails Open at Sagawau Nordic
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Trails will be opened and groomed as snow conditions permit, and could include a late start or early finish. Watch our Facebook page and call 630-257-2045 for the most up-to-date trail conditions. Cross Country Ski rentals and lessons are also available.
Snowshoe Lending, All Nature Centers
Snowshoes are available when snow is 4" or greater. Equipment is limited and is loaned with no charge on a first come, first served basis. Driver’s license required.
Sledding
We offer five sledding hills with lighting, open 10 am - 9 pm Every Day
Dan Ryan Woods - Chicago • Caldwell Woods - Chicago • Deer Grove #5 - Palatine • Westchester Woods -Westchester • Swallow Cliff - Palos Park (open when there is at least 6" of snow) We also offer four sledding spots without lighting, open 10 am - sunset: • Pioneer Woods - Willow Springs • Ted Lechowicz Woods - Chicago • Schiller Woods - Schiller Park • Deer Grove #4 - Palatine. Sledding hills are open when there are at least 3" of snow on frozen ground.
EVENTS
Friday, 1/20; 6 - 8 pm
Winter Bonfire, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we enjoy an evening around a bonfire as we roast marshmallows and sip hot cocoa. Register by 1/18.
Friday, 1/20; 7 - 9 pm
Owl Prowl at Thatcher Woods
Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest in partnership with Chicago Botanic Garden
Join Steve Bailey, ornithologist from the Illinois Natural History Survey for a captivating night exploring the mystery of owls. $49/$39.20 member. To register, call 847-835-8261 or visit chicagobotanic.org/education.
Saturday, 1/21; 9 am - 3 pm
SURF THE WHITE WINTER WAVE , Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Don’t let the weather get you down! Join us for a Polynesian spin on winter by skiing the “frozen wave” our winter storms leave in their wake. After skiing, relax and enjoy surfing videos and live updates on surf conditions from Oahu’s North Shore. Dress Hawaiian and win a prize! Event will take place if ski trails are open.
Saturday, 1/21; 1 - 3 pm
Conservation@Home: Birding in Your Garden, Little Red School House, Willow Springs
University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists will share their experience of designing, planting and caring for two gardens built for the birds!
Saturday, 1/21; 12 - 3 pm
SNOWSHOE TREKKING PLUS, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
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 for snow conditions, 312-636-9750. If there isn’t enough snow, we’ll still be out with hikes, games, fire and other outdoor fun.
Saturday, 1/21 and Sunday, 1/29; 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Weekend Family Class: Loco for Cocoa!, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Discover the sweet story of chocolate from bitter bean to delicious dessert. Participants will investigate the raw ingredients, taste test different types of chocolate, and practice dipping fruits and snacks into melted chocolate to make treats extra enjoyable!
Preregistration required; fee applies.
Saturday, 1/21; 9 am - 4 pm and Sunday, 1/22; 1:30 - 5 pm
Seed Swap Weekend, Regenstein Center, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
A weekend of events including a film, classes and workshops to learn, share, and swap seeds with other gardeners.
Preregistration required and fee applies for some of the activities.
Sunday, 1/22; 1 pm
Headbangers World, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Woodpeckers are vital to the health of woodland ecosystems. Learn basic species identification and anatomy.
Friday, 1/27; 7 pm
Winter Night Hike, River Trail Nature Center, Northrbook
Use your senses to search for animals active on cold winter evenings while on a guided hike. Afterwards, warm up inside with snacks and hot chocolate. $2/person.
Saturday, 1/28; Noon - 4 pm
Winter Exploration Days, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, 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 wintertime experience. Learn how to navigate using newfound orienteering skills, create snowshoes and backpacks from natural materials and track animals that make the Forest 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.
Sunday, 1/29; 1:30 pm
Winter Wandering, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Put on your winter boots, bundle up and join us for a brisk 4-mile hike along Thorn Creek. Meet at Sweet Woods, Cottage Grove & 183rd Street in Glenwood.
Sunday, 1/29; 1 - 3 pm
Nature Sketching, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Explore line, value, shading and form as we practice sketching plants and animals from life. For adults and older children w/adult. Register by 1/26. $5 fee includes take-home artist’s tools.
Sunday, 2/5; 1 pm
Evergreens and Winter Trees, Crabtree Nature Center
Unearth the secrets of evergreen trees and learn what other trees are doing during these cold months. If weather permits, identify trees of all kinds on a winter stroll.
Wednesday, 2/8; 2:30 - 6 pm
Snowy Scavenger Hunt, Rolling Knolls Pavilion 11N260 Rohrssen Rd, Elgin
Let’s go on a scavenger hunt! Make some interesting winter observations as you hike through the woods. Record your findings as you go. Dress for the weather.
District(s): Districtwide
end