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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation & Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar - 12/12/2017 - 1/15/2018
Saturdays and Sundays, 12/16-17 and Tuesday - Sunday, 12/26 - 31
Holiday Magic, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Now in its 36th 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. Highlights include, a 41-foot talking tree, train display, carolers, ice carvers, and much more!
Daily, through 12/22; 10 am - 5 pm and Saturday, 12/23 through Sunday, 1/7, 10 am - 7 pm
Wonderland Express, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
With more than 700,000 twinkling LED lights throughout the garden and re-creation of Chicago’s favorite landmarks, Wonderland Express combines the magic of model railroads with a holiday wonderland. This family-friendly tradition includes special events such as caroling and ice sculpting. Additional Family Drop-in activities offered. Fee applies. (Closes at 3 p.m. on December 24 and closed December 25)
Sunday, 12/17; 2 pm & 3:30 pm
Winter Solstice Woods Walk, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Join a free, guided 40-minute woods walk to coincide with the winter solstice that occurs on December 21st - the shortest day of the year. Warm up by a fire afterward. Meet at the McDonald Woods shelter. Check the web page for last-minute weather updates.
Throughout the Winter, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Cross-country skiing is a fun way to stay active during winter. Starting December 16th, as soon as, conditions are skiable (frozen ground and 5” snow), Sagawau Nordic is open daily from 9 am - 4 pm. Trails will be open and groomed as snow conditions permit and could include a late start or an early finish. Watch our Facebook page and call 630-257-2045 for the most up-to-date trail conditions. You may also visit us on-line at www.FPDCC.com <http://www.FPDCC.com> to find out more regarding special classes and events.
Winter Season - Junior Naturalists, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Jr. Naturalists, children ages 7 - 12, work on independent projects and attend special programs to learn about nature through each of the four seasons. Call or visit for more information. Registration required. Initial fee: $10. Continuing seasons: $5 each.
Thursday, 12/14 through Friday, 1/5
Christmas Bird Count, Preserves throughout Cook County
The Christmas Bird Count is an annual tradition. Small groups search sections of an established bird circle. Results become part of one of the nation’s oldest volunteer biological surveys. New birders welcome. Map of the count areas and contact information for the compilers: audubon.org/join-Christmas-bird-count. Various dates and times available.
Friday, 12/15; 7 pm
Night Owls, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
An extended guided hike on our trails to search for local owls. Afterwards, warm up inside with refreshments and questions for the naturalist. Adults & teens only. $3/person.
Friday, 12/15; 7 pm
Night Hike: Candle Lantern Hike, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Walk the trails with us by candlelight. Candle lanterns will be available for adults. We’ll search the night sky, listen for owls and enjoy an evening of nature, weather permitting. Register by 12/13.
Saturday, 12/16; 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Outdoor Adventures - Wood Masonry Workshop, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Learn the art of wood masonry! Through a hands-on workshop, discover a natural building process that has been used in the Midwest for centuries. Participants will learn the basic principles of cordwood construction including structural design, wood choice and prep, mixing mortar, and building a cordwood wall section for permanent display at Camp Dan Beard. Ages 10 & up. Space limited, must reserve a spot by calling 312-533-5751.
Sunday, 12/16; 1:30 pm
Winter Entomology, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Search for invertebrates underneath frozen logs and along icy waters. Field equipment will be provided. Ages 10 & up.
Saturday, 12/16; 4 pm - 8 pm
Solstice Bonfire, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Join us as we approach the shortest day of the year and celebrate with a giant bonfire! We’ll also have nature play, art making, s’mores and a food truck on site. Parking for the event is at nearby Potawatomi Woods. A free shuttle will be available throughout the event.
Sunday, 12/17; 6 am
Dawn Owl Prowl, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Listen for resident great horned and screech owls as part of the 119th annual Christmas Bird Count, with Chicago Audubon’s John Elliott. Limited to 10 adults and children 10 & up. Registration required.
Saturday, 12/23; 1 pm - 3 pm
Solstice Celebration, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Welcome the light back on the shortest day of the year! Raise a glass of cocoa and celebrate the sun around a campfire. $1 donation/person.
Tuesday, 12/26 through Thursday, 12/28; and Tuesday, 1/2 through Thursday, 1/4; 1 pm - 3 pm
Winter Break - Nature Drop in Days, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
We provide the fun, you bring the kids to explore something new each day.
Thursday, 12/28; 11 am - 3 pm
Winter Breakout Adventures, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Don’t let winter weather keep you inside. Get active and embrace your time off from school and head outdoors! Youth and families, join us for winter adventure and fun with activities like snowshoeing (conditions permitting), guided nature hikes, tracking, art making and games. Indoor climbing wall included. Warm up with a campfire and s’mores (weather permitting). Call 708-386-4042 for details.
Saturday, 12/30; 1 pm
New Year’s and Nature, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Come learn about the history of the New Year holiday and its connections to nature. You may be inspired to create your own nature-themed resolution!
Saturday, 12/30; 1:30 pm
Living with Wildlife, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Ever wondered what to do if you find a baby bird? Or what do you do about deer munching your garden? Come learn the basics of living with wildlife in our neighborhoods and the best practices for handling sticky situations.
Tuesday, 1/2; 8 am
Permits Opening Day, Forest Preserve Headquarters, River Forest
Online and in-person permit sales for 2018 will begin at 8 am on Tuesday, January 2. Picnic permits are required for groups of 25 or more.
Tuesday, 1/3; 11 am - 3 pm
Winter Breakout Adventures, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Don’t let winter weather keep you inside. Get active and embrace your time off from school and head outdoors! Youth and families, join us for winter adventure and fun with activities like snowshoeing and sledding (conditions permitting), guided nature hikes, tracking and special wood working projects. Warm up with a campfire and s’mores (weather permitting). Call 708-386-4042 for details.
Saturday, 1/6; 10 am
New Year Nature Bath, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Begin the New Year by stimulating your mind, body and spirit with a rejuvenating “forest bath.” We will explore the many benefits of “forest bathing” before immersing ourselves among the trees and awakening our senses to the sights, sounds and smells of nature in winter. Adults only.
Saturday, 1/6; 1 pm
Ornithology 101: Feathers, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Thousands of feathers cover a bird’s body. Learn the structure and function of feathers. Adults & interested teens. Registration required.
Saturday, 1/13; 1:30 pm
The Canids of Cook County, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for an indoor presentation to discover the interesting natural history of urban coyotes and foxes here in Cook County. We will have real furs available to see and touch. After the presentation, we’ll go on a hike to look for canid tracks and scat.
Saturday, 1/13; 1 pm - 2:30 pm
Conservation@Home: Sustainable Seed Saving: Native Plant Edition Drop-In, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Learn how to start your own native plants with less waste. North Cook Master Gardeners will share tips for starting plants from seed to add to your home garden. We’ll make this process more sustainable by recycling common household and garden items. Drop-in program for adults & teens.
Sunday, 1/14; 1 pm
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam, Thatcher Pavilion, River Forest
Make a simple musical instrument, then join the fun in a bluegrass jam circle! Bring your basses, fiddles, mandolins, guitars and banjos, too. All are welcome to join the jam.
Sunday, 1/14; 1 pm
CSI: Critter Scene Investigation, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Can you guess what animal neighbors have been visiting from the clues they’ve left behind? Learn about tracks, scat and more during this interactive adventure.
Sunday, 1/14 and Monday, 1/15; 1:30 pm
Two Owls & a Naturalist, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about owls’ unique adaptations and get up close and personal with two of River Trail’s resident owls.
Monday, 1/15; 12 pm - 3 pm
M.L.K. Jr. Day of Service, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” -Martin Luther King Jr. 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. Plus, enjoy sledding (weather permitting) and winter family-fun activities.
Fridays, 1/15; 7 pm
Evening Snowshoe Hikes, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Come for a moonlit hike on snowshoes if snow depth permits, or on boots if not. Warm up by a fire afterwards. Snowshoes provided or bring your own. Adults only. Registration required.end