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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar- 1/14/2020 - 2/25/2020
Throughout the winter (when there’s snow)
Snowshoes
Snowshoes are available at all nature centers when snow is 4” or greater. Equipment is limited and is loaned with no charge on a first come, first serve basis. Driver’s license required.
Cross-country Skiing and Ski Rental
Starting December 21, as soon as conditions are skiable (frozen ground and 5” snow), Sagawau Nordic is open from 9am - 4pm. 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.
Ski Equipment Rental
Rentals available from 9 am-2 pm daily. Equipment must be returned by 3:45 pm. Rental package includes skis, bindings, boots and poles. Classic and skate skis available. All children and adult sizes. Visit Forest Preserves website for rental fees. Groups of 10 or more, Monday through Friday only. Schedule in advance.
Friday, 1/24; 7pm
Winter Campfire and Night Hike, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Enjoy a brisk walk through the woods and warm up around the campfire with s’mores and hot coco. Registration required.
Saturday, 1/25; 11am - 2pm
Winter Exploration Day, Caldwell Woods, Chicago
Embrace the cold while discovering something new in the Preserves! Find your way using a compass, follow local animal tracks, and more. For an added bonus, warm up by the indoor fire and make s’mores. Snowshoeing and sledding available weather permitting.
Sunday, 1/26; 1pm
Owl Investigations, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Learn about owls and their amazing adaptations while dissecting an owl pellet and making an owl craft.
Sunday, 1/26; 10am
Hike the Preserves-Fitness Hike, Country Lane Woods, Willow Springs
Get some exercise, meet new people, and learn about your local Forest Preserves out on the trails.
Sunday, 1/26; 1pm
Green Fire Viewing, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
The one-hour documentary traces legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold’s personal journey to develop an ethical relationship between people and nature.
Friday, 1/31; 10am - 12pm
Conservation@Home: Native Landscape Design, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
U of I Extension staff and volunteers will teach simple design principles for using native plants in the home garden. Registration required by 1/24.
Saturday, 2/1; 6am - 9am
Sunrise Nature Photography, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
An outdoor workshop focusing on amazing winter scenes. Adults & teens only. Registration required by 1/30. Location provided upon registration.
Saturday, 2/1; 4:30pm
Superbowl, Killdeer Wetlands, Tinley Park
Enjoy pre-Super Bowl Sunday birding festivities. Bird guides, warm drinks, and snacks provided. Hosted by friends of Bartel Grassland and Audubon Great Lakes. Visit Audubon website for more details.
Saturday, 2/1; 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Prairie Wolf Party, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
While winter winds down, the prairie wolves prowl. Complete canine crafts and take a mammal march on our trails to search for signs of coyote. Ages 4-10 with caregiver. Limit 12 children. Registration required.
Saturday, 2/8; 10am - 2pm
Tree Cookie Painting, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Take in the last scenes of winter and paint them on take-home tree cookies.
Saturday, 2/8; 12pm - 3pm
Winter Exploration Day, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Learn to navigate using new-found orienteering skills, make a craft using natural materials, track animals, and learn photography skills. In partnership with the Twin Lakes District Cub Scouts. Snowshoeing will be offered, conditions permitting.
Saturday, 2/15; 1pm
Sagawau Art: Painting Nature, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Start your artistic journey here. Ages 14 and up. Registration required.
Saturday, 2/15; 1pm
Warm Hearts, Cold Noses Hike, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Go for a guided nature walk to learn about love in the animal world. Registration required. Ages 18 and up.
Sunday, 2/16; 10am - 3pm
Nature Play Date: Lincoln Logs, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Kids are encouraged to use their imagination and create using these iconic toys and other loose parts.
Monday, 2/17; 1pm
Species Spotlight, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
We are never sure what nature will show us on a day to day basis. We will surprise you with a featured animal encounter!
Friday, 2/21; 6:30pm
Our Transient Nature: A History of the Sand Ridge Campus and Calumet Region, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Discover the history of the Sand Ridge Campus through the lens of people and wildlife’s movement within it.
Saturday, 2/22; 12pm - 2pm
Winter Wellness, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Don’t let the cold weather get you down! Tune into nature with a guided meditation for stress-reduction and relaxation lead by Gail Borden Public Library. Registration required.
Saturday, 2/22; 9am
Bird N' Bagel, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Learn about birds at the feeder with John Elliott of Chicago Audubon, sip hot drinks and nosh on bagels. Afterwards, take a short bird walk. Registration required.
Saturday, 2/22; 10am - 12pm
Canned Heat the Chicago Way: Hot Giardiniera, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Learn about the history of food canning and how to make Giardiniera. Participants will leave with their own homemade giardiniera. Offered in partnership with Urban Growers Collaborative. Registration required.
Saturday, 2/22; Hikes at 11am and 2pm
Black History Month: Underground Railroad Hikes, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us on a narrated journey that follows the Underground Railroad route in the Calumet Region during the mid-1800’s.
Saturday, 2/22; 6pm
Starry Night, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Join us along with the Northwest Suburban Astronomers as we scan the skies for celestial objects. Registration required.
Sunday, 2/23; 1pm
African American Leaders in Conservation: Essay Contest Winners, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Learn about African Americans leaders in the conservation movement. Youth will read their winning entries in our newest Essay Contest. Get more information of how to participate in the contest at LRSH or at our website.
Sunday, 2/23; 1pm
Sagawau Science: Winter Insects, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Believe it or not, some insects are active through the winter. We will go out and search for these cold-hearty survivors. Ages 14 and up. Registration required.end