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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar - 5/11/2017 - 6/6/2017
Save the Date!
Tuesday, 6/13; 10 am - 2 pm
Live Healthy Discover Nature, Daley Plaza, Chicago
Celebrate all things in the Forest Preserve and kick off our summer programming. We are at Daley Plaza until 2 pm with information, giveaways, live animals and fun activities. The Forest Preserves will host the noon time performances as well.
Daily, 5/6 - 9/17; 10 am - 5 pm
Dinos and Dragons, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Brookfield Zoo’s summer Dinos & Dragons exhibit will feature 17 animatronic creatures, including the Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Chinese dragon. Zoo-goers can also get up-close views of live reptiles, including a 6-foot-long Komodo dragon. The exhibit will feature hands-on activities, as well as a dinosaur dissection lab, dino dig boxes, and an excavation site.
Saturday, 5/13 - Sunday, 5/14
Camping Leadership Immersion Course (CLIC) Training, Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest
Our Camping Leadership Immersion Course training is an overnight course that provides skills such as camping equipment use and care, outdoor activities, teamwork and nature-based education for leaders of school, community, scouting or youth groups. After completing this training, you and your group of up to 30 are eligible to borrow tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and cookware for a one-night campout at Camp Sullivan. For more information, e-mail experiencecamping@cookcountyil.gov.
Saturday, 5/13; 9 am - 2 pm
International Migratory Bird Day, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Spread your wings for bird conservation! Spend the day celebrating birds and learn how they migrate.
Saturday, 5/13; 9:30 am - Noon
Jr. Nature Photography, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn how to capture nature through hands-on learning about cameras and photography. Any digital camera can be used. All photography levels welcome, ages 8-14. Registration required by 5/11.
Saturday, 5/13; 10 am - 2 pm
Nature Block Party: A Celebration of Biodiversity, Eggers Grove, 11201 S Ave B, Chicago
Discover the diversity in our urban preserves. Participate in restoration projects with Nature Cat, hikes highlighting the Calumet Region, bike on the Burnham Greenway (bikes will be provided) and other outdoor activities for the whole family. Call 312-415-2970 for more information.
Saturday, 5/13; 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Chicago River Day Celebration Paddle, Powderhorn Lake, 13843-14387 S Brainard Ave, Burnham
Join us for a celebratory paddle after the various Chicago River Clean-Ups taking place throughout Cook County in the morning. See chicagoriver.org for info on how to get involved in a clean-up.
Sunday, 5/14; 9 am
Mother’s Day Hike, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Begin your day with a naturalist-guided walk to spy some spring wildflowers and migrating birds. Bring Mom and the family. We have binoculars to loan.
Wednesday, 5/17; 11 am - 1 pm
Afternoon Paddle & Fishing Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch, 11672 W 107th St, Willow Springs
What better way to spend your lunch hour than dropping in a fishing line or canoeing around Saganashkee Slough? Instruction and equipment for both activities will be provided, with our friends from Palos Park Recreation and Parks Department going through a “how-to” on proper fishing techniques. Beginners welcome.
Wednesday, 5/17; 5:30 - 7 pm
Camping 101, Camp Bullfrog Lake, 9600 Wolf Rd, Willow Springs
Camping 101 is a hands-on workshop series designed to teach basic camping skills. Learn tent set-up, campfire cooking, camping fun, dressing for camping, camping etiquette and more. Join us on select Wednesday evenings through May. No registration required. FREE!
Saturday & Sunday, 5/20 & 5/21; 9 am - 5 pm
Malott Japanese Garden Children’s Festival and Midwest Bonsai Society’s Spring Show; Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Come pay homage to the tradition of children’s festivals in Japan with activities including storytelling and crafts projects such as making kimono paper dolls and origami samurai helmets. In addition, the Midwest Bonsai Society’s spring show, which features spring-blooming trees, bonsai on rocks, and suiseki (the Japanese art of stones) will also be held. In addition, visitors can also enjoy demonstrations and workshops and shop for bonsai and bonsai supplies. Free, but registration is required for bonsai workshops.
Saturdays, 5/20 and 5/27; 10 am & Sunday, 6/4; 10 am
Canyon Tours, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Sagawau Canyon hike highlights the geology of Northeastern Illinois. Hike is over rough terrain, wading through a stream is necessary. Registration in person or by phone, starts the Monday prior to the program date. No groups. Space is limited.
Saturday, 5/20; 9 - 11:30 am
International Migratory Bird Day Celebration, LaBagh Woods, Grove 1, Cicero just north of Foster
Welcome back birds at this year’s International Migratory Bird Day Celebration. Watch scientists band and release birds migrating from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Enjoy crafts, snacks, bird walks, a Big Sit and so much more.
Saturday, 5/20; 1 - 3 pm
Trailside History Hike, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Join us for a long guided hike to learn about the history of Trailside Museum and Thatcher Woods. Visit Native American sites, an abandoned village and more. Adults and children 12 & up. Register by 5/19.
Saturday, 5/20; 1:30 pm
Make it Rain!, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Create your own homemade rain stick while we discuss the use of this Native American tool. Each family will create one to take home. Bring your own hammer. A few hammers will be available for loan if needed. Registration required. Limit 10 families. $2/family.
Sunday, 5/21; 1 pm
Garlic Mustard Pull, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Help us improve the quality of our woodlands by removing this invasive species to give native plants space to flourish. Adults and children 7 & up. Sturdy shoes, gloves, long sleeves and long pants recommended.
Wednesday, 5/24; 5:30 - 7 pm
Camping 101, Camp Shabbona, 15810 Torrence Ave, Calumet City
Camping 101 is a hands-on workshop series designed to teach basic camping skills. Learn tent set-up, campfire cooking, camping fun, dressing for camping, camping etiquette and more. Join us on select Wednesday evenings through May. No registration required. FREE!
Saturday, 5/27-Monday 9/4
SERVICE PLAN: Four routes that provide summer only weekend express bus service to Brookfield Zoo-Route 770 CTA Green Line Harlem Station via CTA Blue Line Forest Park Transit Center - Brookfield Zoo; Route 771 CTA Pink Line 54th/Cermak Station - Brookfield Zoo; Route 772 CTA Red Line 95th/Dan Ryan Station - Brookfield Zoo; Route 778 Northwest Chicago - Brookfield Zoo (Saturday Service Only) - Fare is $1.75.
Saturdays and Sundays, 5/27 - 10/8; 1:30 and 2:30 pm
Garden Chef Series, Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Island Amphitheater, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Watch and learn from local chefs on how to cook with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Seating is first-come, first served for these free demonstrations.
Saturday, 5/27; 1 - 3 pm
Sketch-booking and Journaling along the Trails, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
An introductory class on the materials and techniques for quickly sketching birds and other wildlife on hikes. Taught by artist Joe Feliciano: Instagram.com/thehorsepuppy/. For adults and teens. All art materials supplied. Register by 5/25.
Saturday, 5/27; 1:30 pm
Spring Fungi Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a 1-mile hike as we discover the wealth of fungal fruiting bodies the White Oak Trail has to offer. Registration required. Adults only. Limit 10.
Sunday, 5/28; 1 pm
Tree Identification, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn to identify trees by their leaves with May Watts’ Tree Finder.
Monday, 5/29; 1 pm
Spring Ramble, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Join a naturalist for an afternoon spring walk on our 1.4-mile trail.
Monday, 5/29; 1:30 pm
Creature Feature, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Stop in and say hello to one of the animals found in our forest preserves.
Wednesday, 5/31; 5:30 - 7 pm
Camping 101, Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest
Camping 101 is a hands-on workshop series designed to teach basic camping skills. Learn tent set-up, campfire cooking, camping fun, dressing for camping, camping etiquette and more. Join us on select Wednesday evenings through May. No registration required. FREE!
Thursday, 6/1; 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Adult Archery & Nature Hike, Thatcher Woods, 8030 Chicago Ave, River Forest
Adults of all ages are invited to stay active and try their hand at a new or old pastime. Enjoy a brief nature hike on the trails to end. Come out and give it a shot! Call 312-533-5751 to reserve a space today.
Thursday, 6/1; 6 - 8 pm
Nature (Play) Night Drop-Ins, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Drop by and meet us in the nature play area for special activities. Also, help us develop ideas for future elements at the play area. Family program.
Friday, 6/2; 8:15 pm
The Astronomer’s Night Sky, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
View the moon and other celestial wonders through telescopes, clear skies permitting. In the event of poor skies, an astronomy slide show will be presented. Register by 5/31.
Saturday, 6/3 and Sunday 6/4; 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Share the Trails
Look for our staff and volunteers along the trails with info and giveaways throughout the Forest Preserves. June 3rd in National Trails Day! Be sure to check out our Share the Trail website at fpdcc.com/stt. We will be out three more weekends in July, August and October.
Saturday, 6/3; 10 am - 4 pm
World Environment Day, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Show your love for the planet at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s World Environment Day celebration. Learn about the latest on conservation and sustainability, and participate in activities and demonstrations for visitors of all ages. Bring plastic plant containers for recycling from 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in parking lot 4. Free.
Saturday, 6/3; 10 am - 2:30 pm
Little Calumet River Day at Kickapoo Woods,
Kickapoo Woods Boat Launch, 144th & Halsted, Riverdale
Help clean the river (either on shore or on the water) and/or take a canoeing or kayaking lesson. Learn how you can make a difference in terms of the health of the river and life it supports. Clean up tools, and lunch will be provided. All ages, but participants must be at least five to go in a boat. Groups welcome. Register at calumetwaterwaystewards.com. Bring your own canoe or use one of ours. We have a limited number of boats available. Canoe instruction provided. Paddling for ages 5 & up.
Saturday, 6/3; 8 - 11 pm
Night Sky Programs, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Peak at the universe through telescopes; guided by the Chicago Astronomical Society.
Saturday, 6/3; 1 pm
Out in the Field, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
See the world through the eyes of a naturalist. Be a part of a field excursion to use your powers of observation to help identify ecological connections.
Sunday, 6/4; 9 am - Noon
Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider’s Fishing Derby, Busse Woods/Lake, Grove 25
Bring your friends, family and fishing gear and try to catch the largest, smallest or squirmiest fish. To register, call 847-640-1632 or email tim.schneider@cookcountyil.gov and provide a name, address, email, phone number and number attending.
Sunday, 6/4; 1:30 pm
Summer in the Woods, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy summertime in the woods on a casual nature walk with a naturalist.
Sunday, 6/4; 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, 6/4; Noon - 4 pm
Explore the Forest: 100 Years and Growing, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Celebrate the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Climb a tree, touch a fish, check out the restoration equipment, pitch a tent and try archery. See the many ways to enjoy the Forest Preserves. Come and meet Nature Cat at this Leave No Child inside event.
District(s): Districtwide
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