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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar - 4/23/2019 - 5/21/2019
Saturday, 4/27; 9am - 1pm
Earth Day Celebration and Preserves Clean Up, Beaubien Woods, Chicago
Clean up the preserves in partnership with Friends of the Parks and enjoy fun nature activities and snacks during your break. Registration required for groups of 10 or more. Call 708-386-4042.
Saturday, 4/27; 12pm - 4:30pm and Sunday, 4/28; 10am - 4:30pm
Midwest Daffodil Society Display and Floral Design Show, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
The Midwest Daffodil Society's show features hundreds of daffodils on display that will be judged by the society. The show includes cut blooms, floral design, and photography competitions. The show will include floral designs inspired by the gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Daffodil growers of all skill levels are invited to participate.
Saturday, 4/27; 6:30pm - 12am
Annual Whirl Gala, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
The Chicago Zoological Society’s Women's Board and Board of Trustees will host its 38th annual black-tie gala on Saturday, April 27, at Brookfield Zoo. This year’s theme “Roaring Whirl 2019” celebrates the 100th anniversary of the land donation to the Forest Preserves of Cook County for the express purpose of creating a modern zoo. The event includes a cocktail hour featuring up-close experiences with many of the zoo’s animal ambassadors, a three-course dinner, and dancing. Tickets are available on Brookfield Zoo website.
Sunday, 4/28; 12:30pm - 3pm
Earth Day Celebration with the BackYard Nature Center, Erickson Woods, Winnetka
Join the BackYard Nature Center for an afternoon of service, learning and fun. Activities include restoration, a fishing clinic, nature hikes and pop-up nature play.
Sunday, 4/28; 1pm
Forest Bathing, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Join Roberta Jannsen for a forest therapy walk and experience nature in a healthy way that will help you get out of your head, live in our body and reduce stress in your life. For adults and teens. Space is limited. Call 708-366-6530 to register.
Sunday, 4/28; 1pm
Spring Pollinators, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Meet the mining bees and other early pollinators and learn to welcome them in your landscape. Indoor presentation followed by hike. Ages 14 and up. Registration required. Call 630-257-2045.
Thursday, 5/2; 7:30am
Bird Walk, Perkins Woods, Evanston
Join the Evanston North Shore Bird Club for birding in this small spring migrant hotspot. Added bonus: spring wildflowers. Beginners welcome; binoculars available. For more information, visit the Evanston North Shore Bird Club website.
Saturday, 5/4; 6am - 12pm
Birding Big Sit, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Sagawau is counting each individual bird as it visits a specific area. Stay as long as you want. Binoculars available for loan. All Ages.
Saturday, 5/4; 9am - 11am Rain Date: Sunday, 5/5; 9am - 11am
Ralph Frese Memorial Paddle, Willow Road Dam, Winnetka
Bring your canoe or kayak and celebrate the legacy of canoe legend Ralph Frese by paddling the Chicago River from Willow Road Dam to Linne Woods. A shuttle bus runs 8am to 2pm from Linne Woods to Willow Road Dam. Launch at 9am.
Saturday, 5/4; 6am - 12pm
Big Sit, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Help identify all the birds seen or heard from a 17-foot-diameter stationary circle.
Sunday, 5/5; 6am - 1pm
The Big Sit, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
We need birders of any experience to help at any part of the day, counting the numbers and types of birds.
Sunday, 5/5; 11am - 3pm
Spring Festival, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Celebrate spring with a fun day of activities for all ages, including animal encounters, kids’ tree climb, guided spring wildflower walks, bird banding, dip netting, seed planting, a kid’s craft, building a bird house to take home and much more!
Friday, 5/10; 7pm - 8:30pm
Spring Evening Awakening, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Use your sense of hearing to identify frogs during a night hike. Registration required.
Friday, 5/11; 4pm and Saturday 5/12; 9am
Camping with the Birds, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Join Chicago Audubon Society for an overnight camping trip with an owl walk, campfire sing-along (with s’mores!) and a morning bird walk during the height of spring migration. Tent sites are available for half-price at $17.50 (cabins are sold out). Chicago Audubon activities are free; bring your own Friday night dinner and Saturday morning breakfast. Subject to weather and Camp Reinberg cancellation policies. Contact 312-636-9750 to register.
Saturday, 5/11; 11am - 3pm
International Migratory Bird Day and Big Sit, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Join us for a bird walk to see who is winging in and experience the perils of migration in our Migration Obstacle Course.
Saturday, 5/11; 6am - 12pm
The Big Sit Birdwatching, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Stop and sit a while as we see how many birds we can spot or hear without leaving a 17-foot circle. Binoculars and guidance provided.
Saturday, 5/11; 9am - 12pm
Chicago River Day Clean-up, Whistler Woods, Riverdale
Celebrate the 27th annual Chicago River Day with the Forest Preserves of Cook County on the Little Calumet River. All ages. See Chicago River website for more information.
Saturday, 5/11; 10am - 5pm (weather permitting)
Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
It’s the 20th anniversary for this family favorite. Eighteen model G-scale trains run on 18 tracks, winding over bridges and trestles, and around nearly 50 models of American landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the White House.
Every Day, 5/11 - 9/29
Brick Safari, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Brick Safari features more than 40 life-size animal sculptures created from millions of individual colored LEGO bricks! The menagerie of animals will be located along a winding, wooded pathway on the east side of the park, and many of the sculptures are based on some Brookfield Zoo favorites, such as the lion, giraffe, snow leopard, and pangolin. Open during zoo hours.
Sunday, 5/12; 1:30pm
Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about spring woodland wildflowers on a casual hike.
Sunday, 5/12; 9am, 11am, 1pm (Seating)
Mother’s Day Brunch, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Treat mom to spring in the Garden and an elegant brunch buffet that includes a carving station and made-to-order omelets. Parties of eight or fewer may share a table with other guests. Reservation required; fees include parking.
Friday, 5/17; 11am - 12:30pm or 3:30pm - 5pm
River Kayaking 101, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Introductory class provided prior to a short paddle along the Des Plaines River to Maywood Grove. Perfect for new kayakers. Ages 5 and up. Registration required. Call 312-533-5751.
Friday, 5/17; 7:30pm - 9pm
‘Scopes in the City’, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join Adler Planetarium astronomy staff for a fun night under the stars! We will start with a presentation, then learn how a telescope works and view our beautiful moon.
Saturday, 5/18; 9am - 11:30am
World Migratory Bird Day Celebration, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Welcome back birds at this year’s World Migratory Bird Day Celebration. Watch scientists band and release birds migrating from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Enjoy crafts, snacks, bird walks and more.
Saturday, 5/18; 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Night Sky Programs: Viewing the Night Sky with Binoculars, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Peek at the universe through telescopes; guided by the Chicago Astronomical Society.
Saturday, 5/18; 11am - 3pm
Nature Block Party, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Get your hands dirty and participate in land restoration or relax with games, biking, walks and more. Limited number of bikes available. All ages. Registration required for groups of 20 or more. Call 708-386-4042.
Saturday, 5/18; 10am - 4pm
Get Growing Plant Sale, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
A new splash of color or a bit of texture can help freshen up your garden for spring. Come early to a one-of-a-kind plant sale hosted by the Women’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society. Look for unique plants and planters, as well as arrangements design by Garden horticulturists. Need inspiration or advice? Our staff experts will lead demonstrations to get you started.
Sunday, 5/19; 8am
Des Plaines Canoe and Kayak Marathon, Dam No. 2 Woods, Mt. Prospect
Join the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States! Race begins at Oak Springs Road in Libertyville and ends at Dam #2. Free for spectators. Activities at Dam #2 begin at 11am. Register on Canoe Marathon Website.
Sunday, 5/19; 10am
Canyon Tour, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Sagawau Canyon highlights the geology of Northeast Illinois. Hike is over rough terrain; wading through a stream is necessary. Registration required. Starts the Monday prior to the program date.
Sunday, 5/19; 2pm - 4pm
Camping Open House, Camp Reinberg, Palatine, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook, Camp Shabbona, South Holland
See the sites and learn more at all five campgrounds.
Tuesday, 5/21; 5:30pm - 7pm
Camping 101, Camp Bullfrog, Willow Springs
Free, hands-on workshop series teaching basic camping skills. No youth groups. All ages. Children 16 and under with adult.
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