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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar, 1/9/2018 - 2/8/2018
Saturday, 1/27; 9am - 3pm
Super Seed Weekend - Seed Starting Saturday; Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
How-to-courses and workshops include: Organic Vegetable Gardening Basics from 9am to 11am, Starting Seeds Indoors from 11 am to 1 pm and Planning Your Garden for Seed Saving, 1pm to 3 pm. You may also tour the seed conversation efforts at the Garden: Dixon National Tallgrass Prairie Seed Bank at 10am and 11 am or discuss the growing movement to preserve old varieties of seeds with a book discussion: Janise Ray’s The Seed Underground at 3 pm.
Fees apply, preregistration required.
Sunday, 1/28; 9:30am - 5pm
Super Seed Weekend - Seed Swap Sunday; Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Put those seeds to use in a cooking class (for families with children ages 4 to 10): Loco for Cocoa, 9:30am to 11 am and 1pm to 2:30pm. Learn more in how-to courses and workshops: Seed Stewardship with guest speaker Rowen White from 10am to 11:30 am and Making Your Own Seed Balls from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Attend a lecture: Rowen White, founder of Sierra Seeds, a seed keeper and farmer from the Mohawk community of Akwesasne, and board member of Seed Savers Exchange, will talk on “Planting Sacred Seeds in a Modern World” at 1:30 pm or Swap Seeds: Bring saved or leftover vegetable, flower, and herb seeds to share and swap with other gardeners from 3 to 5 p.m. in Burnstein Hall. Experienced seed savers can swap at the Connoisseur’s Corner. There will be experts and displays on seed saving, starting seeds indoors, and more, as well as Family Drop-In programs.
Fee apply, preregistration required.
Saturdays & Sundays, 1/13 - 3/4; 9:30am
Beginner Cross-Country Ski Lessons; Sagawau Environmental Learning, Lemont
Learn to ski with a certified Professional Ski Instructor of America. $20/person. Ages 12 & up. Registration is required by phone or in person only. Registration for each lesson starts the Monday prior to the lesson date.
Sunday, 1/14; 10am - 1:15pm
Yoga in the Winter; Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a short hike (with snowshoes if there is enough snow) before practicing yoga indoors. Bring your own mat or beach towel. Adults only.
Monday, 1/15; 12pm - 3pm
M.L.K. Jr. Day of Service; Dan Ryan Woods, 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. Plus, enjoy sledding (weather permitting) and winter family-fun activities.
Friday, 1/19; 3pm - 8pm
Welcome Event with Winter Bonfire; Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
We’re making some changes at Sand Ridge and Camp Shabbona and want your input. Join us in the afternoon for a conversation about programming and partnership opportunities and then enjoy an evening around a bonfire as we roast marshmallows and sip hot cocoa. Register by 1/17.
Saturday, 1/20; 6am - 9am
Sunrise Nature Photography; River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
An outdoor workshop combining the skills of a naturalist and photographer. Focus on amazing winter scenes like ice formations, snow covered trees and more. Adults and teens only. Registration required by 1/17. Location will be provided upon registration.
Saturday, 1/20; 12pm - 4pm
Winter Exploration Days; Thatcher Woods Pavilion, 8030 W. Chicago Ave, River Forest
Get active and explore the natural beauty of your local forest Preserve this winter! Each special event offers activities to prepare you for a delightful winter time experience. Learn how to navigate using orienteering skills, use natural materials to create various art projects, and discover what kinds of animals make the Preserves their home during winter. Snowshoeing and other snow activities will be available weather permitting. For details, call 708-386-4042.
Thursday, 1/25; 7pm
Wild Suburbia; Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Bring your questions and concerns about wildlife in our backyards to this presentation and discussion, facilitated by Chicago Audubon’s John Elliott. Coyotes seem to be everywhere - will we soon see bears or wolves? How do animals get into our neighborhoods and how can we best live with them? Adults only. Registration required
Saturday, 1/27; 1:30pm
Illinois Eagle Day; Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Come celebrate this special day dedicated to the Bald Eagle. Learn about its natural history and why this amazing raptor is on the rebound. Ages 10 & up. Registration not required.
Wednesday, 1/31; 7pm
Hike in the Light of a Winter Blue Moon; Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Experience the Phantom Prairie trail on a wintery night during the light of a “blue moon.” Two-mile hike. Limited supply of snowshoes. Ages 12 & up.
Saturday, 2/3; 9am - 12pm
Winter Welcome Event; Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland,
We’re making some changes at Sand Ridge and Camp Shabbona and want your input. Join us Saturday morning for nature fun and for a conversation about programming and partnership opportunities.
Saturday, 2/3; 12pm - 4pm
Winter Exploration Days; Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, 87th & Western, Chicago
Get active and explore the natural beauty of your local forest Preserve this winter! Each special event offers activities to prepare you for a delightful winter time experience. Learn how to navigate using orienteering skills, use natural materials to create various art projects, and discover what kinds of animals make the Preserves their home during winter. Snowshoeing and other snow activities will be available weather permitting. For details, call 708-386-4042.
Saturday, 2/3; 1pm
Groundhog’s Day; Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Only one animal has a day named after him! Learn all about these “super sleepers” and the history behind the holiday. Groundhog inspired art projects will be provided.
Saturday, 2/10; 11am - 2pm
Snowshoe Trekking; Rolling Knolls, 11N260 Rohrssen Rd, Elgin
Come out, get active and enjoy the Forest Preserves on Snowshoes! This free program is open to the whole family and will include guided nature hikes, skins and skulls and a warm fire. Snowshoeing requires at least 4” of hard snow. Program will happen whether there is snow or not. No registration required. Call 708-386-4042 for details.end