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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar - 7/23/2019 - 9/24/2019
Through September (All day)
Bees and Beyond, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
This Garden-wide program reveals the vital role pollinators play in our everyday lives and in a healthy, diverse plant. Discover pollinator-themed gardens, bold topiaries and floral carpets, an interactive exhibition, and more.
Through September 2; 10am - 5pm
Butterflies and Blooms, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Immerse yourself in a garden habitat filled with hundreds of live butterflies from around the world, as well as some native to North America. Tickets are required.
Through September 2; 10am - 4pm
Nature Play Garden Family Drop-In Activities, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Activities provide hands-on activities for families and children daily on the Regenstein Learning Campus.
Through September 2 (All day)
Evenings, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Long summer nights are the perfect time to unwind with friends and family during the Garden’s extended summer hours. Pack a picnic and enjoy special live music performances for all ages.
Every Day, 7/23 - 9/29; 9:30am - 6pm
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.
Wednesday, 7/24; 6:30pm
Movies in the Park: Films from the Forest, Willye B. White Park, Chicago
In partnership with the Chicago Park District forest fun comes to the city. Family friendly activities start at 6:30 pm, film starts at dusk. Film: Aquaman.
Fridays and Saturdays, 7/26 - 8/10; 5pm - 9pm
Summer Nights, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Brookfield Zoo’s summertime event is back for a sixth season! Enjoy the zoo in a new light with cooler evening weather, enhanced dining, beer and wine garden, live music, roaming performers, Animal Ambassadors, and a new laser light show, all surrounded by wildlife and nature.
Friday, 7/26; 10am - 12pm
Wellness in the Woods Walk, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Led by UIE Master Naturalist Roberta Jannsen. Registration required.
Friday, 7/26; 8:30pm - 10pm
They Fly By Night-Moths, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us for a short presentation, then we will go outside to discover live moths visiting our black lights and other attractants. Adults and children ages 10 and up.
Saturday, 7/27; 1:30pm
Beekeeping 101, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn about bees, how they make honey, and how to cultivate it. Then take a tour of an active beehive.
Sunday, 7/28; 1pm
Wild Edibles, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Many native plants have edible parts or medicinal uses. Take a hike and learn how to add some of these plants to gardens and dinner plates! Bring water, a hat and your favorite mosquito repellent.
Tuesday, 7/30; 6:30pm
Movies in the Park: Films from the Forest, Fuller Park, Chicago
In partnership with the Chicago Park District forest fun comes to the city. Family friendly activities start at 6:30 pm, film starts at dusk. Film: Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse
Saturday, 8/3; 10am - 1pm
Little Calumet River Paddle, Beaubien Woods Boat Launch, Riverdale
Explore the Little Calumet River by canoe. Canoes and other equipment provided.
Saturday, 8/3; 3pm - 7pm
Peace in the Preserves: A Community Call to Celebrate Diversity, Labagh Woods, Chicago
Northwest Side Coalition Against Racism & Hate invites everyone for an afternoon of music, activities, raffles, food vendors, special guests and more. For questions, donations, or to become a vendor, email the Northside Coalition.
Sunday, 8/4; 9am - 5pm
CAMBr Meltdown, Pulaski Woods, Willow Springs
The CAMBr Meltdown is Chicagoland’s premiere mountain biking event, with racing for all ages and abilities. Free for spectators.
Friday - Saturday, 8/9 - 8/10; 5pm - 12pm
Family Campouts, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Introduction to camping for families. Includes meals, all camping gear and outdoor fun. $75/family (group up to 6). Registration required.
Friday, 8/9; 3pm - 7pm
Branch Out and Read Fest, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Enjoy fun nature activities with a literary connection. Call 708-366-6530 to learn which libraries are participating and how to earn a free ticket to attend. Registration required.
Friday, 8/9; 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Follow the Drinking Gourd, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn about this African American folk song, its connection to the Underground Railroad, and explore the night sky with telescopes.
Saturday, 8/10; 8am - 12pm
All about Fishing, Green Lake Woods, Calumet City
Join us for a fun day of fishing and learn about plants and animals that call Green Lake home. All ages. Fishing license required for ages 16 and up.
Wednesday, 8/14; 6:30pm
Movies in the Park: Films from the Forest, Hayes Park, Chicago
In partnership with the Chicago Park District forest fun comes to the city. Family friendly activities start at 6:30 pm, film starts at dusk. Film: Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse.
Thursday, 8/15; 7pm
Nature Book Club, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join in a lively discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer.
Friday, 8/16; 7pm - 9pm
Paddling under the Planets, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Enjoy a summer twilight paddle on our slough while enjoying a peek at the heavens. Tandem canoes provided. Ages 18 and up.
Friday, 8/16; 6pm - 8pm
Campfire Cooking Workshop, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Learn to make meals over a fire using cast-iron and basic camp cooking techniques. Ages 14 and up. Registration required.
Friday, 8/16; 8pm
Going Batty Over Bats! Night Hike, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
We’ll use the latest technology to listen for the sounds of bats. Discover cool facts about these misunderstood creatures of the night.
Saturday, 8/17; 10am - 1pm
Back-to-School Community Adventure Day, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Say goodbye to summer with a day of adventure. Paddling, archery and more! In partnership with Hilltop Elementary School and other organizations. Instruction and gear provided. All ages.
Saturday, 8/17; 9am - 2pm
Hummingbird Fest, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for activities, viewing and demos of how the birds are banded for tracking and research purposes.
Saturday, 8/17; 10am
Hike the Preserves: Interpretive Hike, St. Mihiel Woods, Tinley Park
Take a hike and enjoy the natural beauty around you. More details on the Forest Preserves website.
Wednesday, 8/21; 4pm - 7pm
Archery101, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Learn proper technique and bow basics from one-on-one instruction with our certified staff. All equipment provided. Ages 10 and up.
Saturday, 8/24; 6:30pm - 10pm
Summer Bonfire, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Join us as we celebrate summer with a giant bonfire, nature play, artmaking, s’mores and evening hikes. We will also have a food vendor on site.
Sunday, 8/25; 11am - 2pm
Family Fish School, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Have fun with your family learning about fish and fishing with Forest Preserves’ fish biologists. Some equipment available. Registration required.
Sunday, 8/25; 1pm
Sunflower Stroll, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Enjoy the sunflowers, sights, sounds and sunshine of late summer on a leisurely guided walk. Bring water, a hat and your favorite mosquito repellent.
Wednesday, 8/28; 3pm - 6pm
Play Date with the Preserves, Rubio Woods, Midlothian
Enjoy playing and exploring with natural materials.
Thursday, 8/29; 7pm - 9pm
Singing Insects, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Who is singing tonight? Enjoy the chorus of insects as the sun sets, learn about crickets, katydids, cicadas and grasshoppers. Ages 12 and up. Registration required.
Thursday, 9/5; 10:30am - 12:30pm
Nature Play Date, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Enjoy playing and exploring with natural materials in a new nature play space.
Saturday, 9/7; 10am - 5pm & Sunday, 9/8; 10 am - 4 pm
A River Thru History: Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous, Columbia Woods, Willow Springs
Look back 200 years to frontier life. Enjoy food, music, crafts, reenactments, canoe races, games and more. Parking and shuttle bus from the UPS parking lot at 75th St and Willow Springs Road.
Sunday, 9/8; 12pm - 3pm
Migrating Monarchs Celebration, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Journey with the monarch butterflies as they begin their migration to Mexico. Watch live monarch butterflies being tagged and released, enjoy music, crafts, and activities. Get gardening information and learn how you can help save this butterfly. Food available for purchase.
Sunday, 9/8; 8:30am - 11am
ZooRunRun for the Animal Care and Conservation Fund, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Join us for this fun race located entirely within Brookfield Zoo! The Chicago Zoological Society Animal Care and Conservation Fund is dedicated to making a difference for species across the globe and with each race entry, we will raise both awareness and funds for this great cause.
Friday, 9/13; 4pm - 7pm
Faire at the Square, Cummings Square, River Forest
Enjoy this “creative re-use carnival” with carnival-themed games made from repurposed materials! Win prizes, learn about local plants and animals and more. All Ages.
Saturday, 9/14; 12pm - 3pm
Fall Nature Fest, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Casting lessons, hiking, a nature scavenger hunt, crafts, water experiments, and special guests from Brookfield Zoo, local outdoor retailers and food trucks. Hosted by Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen. Free. All ages. Info and to register: 773-283-7873.
Saturday, 9/14; 10am - 3pm
Archeology Day, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us for activities promoting better understanding and appreciation of historic Native
American culture. Enjoy guided hikes, archaeology displays, traditional crafts and more.
Sunday, 9/15; 11am - 3pm
Art in Nature: Color the Preserves! Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Celebrate creativity and color. Everyone can try to sculpt, paint, draw, weave and other art forms to translate the preserves through art.
Saturday, 9/21; 3pm - 9pm
Party for the Preserves, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Join us for a fun afternoon of hiking, biking and paddling for our official kick-off to public lands week in the Forest Preserves!
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