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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar - 9/24/2019 - 10/22/2019
Every Day, 9/24 - 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.
Tuesday, 9/24; 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Information Open House: Tinley Creek Ravines Project, Orland Park Civic Center, Orland Park
The Forest Preserves is performing a comprehensive restoration of the 528-acre Tinley Creek Ravines starting in fall 2019. The goal of the restoration is to create a mix of healthy oak woodland and restored prairie that can be sustainably enjoyed by the public.
Friday, 9/27; 6:30pm
Pioneer Living: Candle Making and Night Hike, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn how pioneers made candles to light their homes and then walk our trails by candlelight. Registration required.
Saturday, 9/28; 2pm - 9pm
Party for the Preserves, Deer Grove East, Palatine
Celebrate National Public Lands Day at the County’s first forest preserve! Try various activities and enjoy food and drinks throughout afternoon and evening.
Sunday, 9/29; 1pm
Bees, Wasps & Hornets, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Learn all about these insects that can be plentiful, and at times “pesky,” this time of the year.
Wednesday, 10/2; 10am
Wellness in the Woods: Mindful Walk, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Join Roberta Jannsen for a mindful forest walk. Registration required.
Thursday, 10/3; 10:30am - 12:30pm
Nature Play Date, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Enjoy playing and exploring with natural materials in a new nature play space.
Sunday, 10/3; 1pm - 3pm
Conservation@Home: Composting for a Sustainable Lifestyle, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Join University of Illinois Extension staff and volunteers for a composting workshop and learn how to recycle food scraps and yard waste to create compost both in indoor and outdoor spaces. Registration required at University of Illinois Extension website.
Saturday, 10/5; 1pm
“Oaktober” Oak Tree Nature Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join a naturalist-guided walk exploring the interesting world of oak trees as we view and discuss the woodland ecosystems, animals and insects that depend on them.
Sunday, 10/6; 9am - 3pm
Annual Arts and Crafts Fair, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
We’re celebrating our 54th Annual Arts and Craft Fair! Art of all styles will be sold by artists inspired by nature.
Sunday, 10/6; 1:30pm
Creatures of the Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Experience some creepy, spooky and nocturnal animals of the forest preserves.
Sundays, 10/6 and 10/13; 10am
Canyon Tours, 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.
Wednesday, 10/9; 5pm - 6pm
Priority Species of the Chicago Wilderness Library Program, Chicago Public Library - Altgeld Branch, Chicago
Learn about species of concern around Cook County through reading and activities.
Wednesday, 10/9; 4pm - 6pm
Archery 101, National Grove-South, North Riverside
Learn proper techniques and bow basics from one-on-one instruction. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, there will be a certified Spanish-speaking Archery instructor who will be delivering techniques for our Spanish-speaking audience. All levels. Ages 10 and up.
Friday, 10/11; 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Halloween Hoot n’ Howl, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join our partners, the River Forest Public Library and the River Forest Park District, at Trailside Museum for an evening of slightly spooky family fun featuring live music, pumpkin painting, native animals, marshmallows around a campfire and much more.
Saturday, 10/12; 1pm - 4pm
Fall Paddle Festival, Tower Road Boat Launch, Northfield
Embrace the fall season with nature-based activities on and off the water. We will have canoe trips, guided hikes, archery, pumpkin painting, nature play and more.
Saturdays and Sundays, 10/12 - 10/27; 10am - 4pm
Boo! at the Zoo, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
This not-so-scary and fun-filled event has something for the entire family to enjoy, including candy stations, a pumpkin smasher, crafts, a hayride, specialty food and drink, and tons of themed activities.
Saturday, 10/12; 11am - 2pm
Leave No Child Inside: Family Fun Day!, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Bring the kids to spend time outside and have fun with activities including games, a nature scavenger hunt and more.
Saturday, 10/12; 7pm - 10pm
Night Sky Programs-Constellation Mythology, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Peek at the universe through telescopes. Guided by the Chicago Astronomical Society.
Monday, 10/14; 12pm - 4pm
Serpent Mound Ribbon Cutting & Celebration, Schiller Woods, Schiller Park
Through funds provided by the Our Great Rivers program, this installation marks one spot of the Northwest Portage Walking Museum. Remarks, a drum and dance performance, and outdoor activities included in celebration. Free shuttles throughout event to mound site at Irving Park Road Canoe Landing.
Wednesday and Thursday, 10/16 - 10/17; 5pm
Haunted History Hike, Oak Forest Heritage Preserve, Oak Forest
Discover the uncommon history beneath the surface of this iconic preserve of 13,000 years. All ages; recommended for ages 12 and up. Registration required.
Thursday, 10/17; 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Campfire Cooking Workshop, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Learn to make meals over a fire using cast-iron and basic camping cooking techniques. Ages 14 and up. Registration required.
Friday, 10/18; 5:30pm
Stars, Stories and S’mores, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Join us for a cozy fire, s’mores, storytelling, astronomy, a night hike, and other nature-based activities.
Friday, 10/19; 7pm
The Sky’s the Limit, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Join us along with the Northwest Suburban Astronomers as we scan the skies for celestial objects.
Sunday, 10/20; 1pm
Fall Color Walk, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Enjoy a naturalist-led hike to take in the reds and golds of autumn.
Sunday, 10/20; 10am - 4pm
Fall Festival, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us as we celebrate the season with a special day of autumn fun. Storytelling, beekeeping demos, pumpkin painting, hayrides and more! Admission is free; there are small fees for some activities or bring a non-perishable food item to donate to The Greater Chicago Food Depository in exchange for activity tickets. 1 item=1 ticket.
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