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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar- 1/26/2021 - 2/24/2021
Please check the Forest Preserve of Cook County’s website, www.fpdcc.com/events, for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 1/26; 7pm - 8pm (Zoom)
Native Plants for a Bird Friendly Yard
In partnership with the LaGrange Public Library, join us for a Zoom presentation where we will give tips on choosing native plants to beautify your real estate and provide food for birds. This program will be delivered in Polish. Registrants must include a valid email address. A Zoom login will be emailed 1 hour before the program begins. Call 708-215-3220 for more information.
Rodzime Rośliny dla Ogrodu Przyjaznego Ptakom
Przy współpracy z biblioteką publiczną w LaGrange, zapraszamy na program o rodzimych roślinach dla ogrodu przyjaznego ptakom. Prezentacja Zoom w języku polskim. Zaproszenie wysyłamy drogą e-mailową, godzinę przed rozpoczęciem programu. Bezplatna rejestracja pod numerem:708-215-3220.
Saturday, 1/30; 1:30 pm (Zoom)
Zoology Club: Hibernate, Migrate or Tolerate, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Participants 12 years and older will be introduced to the discipline and profession of Zoology virtually, with the topic for this meeting being how wildlife survives freezing temperatures. Registration required. Contact 708-839-6897.
Saturday, 1/30; 1pm (Zoom)
Topographical Map Adventures, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Understanding how to use a topographical map is almost a lost art! Join us on a Zoom program to learn about some of the useful information that can be gleaned from this old-school tool! Ages 10 and up. Registration required. Call 847-381-6592.
Saturdays and Sundays throughout February from 9am - 3pm
Winter Story Trail, Sandridge Nature Center, South Holland
A story walk is an outdoor reading experience where a children’s book is deconstructed, and the pages of the book are placed along a trail. Walk our Redwing Trail anytime during weekends this February and experience a story unfold with every step. This month’s story is “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats.
Wednesdays; 10am - 2pm and Fridays; 12pm - 4pm throughout February
Open Nature Play Day, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Register your little one for an hour-long open nature play time. Enjoy the Dan Ryan Woods Nature Play space while helping your children connect with nature.
Registration required. Call 312-415-2970.
Mondays, 2/1 and 2/8; 9am - 4pm
Children’s Story Trail and Craft: Groundhog’s Day, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Come celebrate Groundhog’s Day as you walk a short trail near the Museum, while reading a posted nature story on groundhogs. Afterwards, pick up a bag with related craft materials and suggestions for more outdoor adventures!
Tuesday, 2/2; 2pm (Facebook LIVE)
Groundhog Day, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn the story behind this peculiar holiday. All ages.
Wednesday, 2/3; 10am (Facebook LIVE)
Groundhog Day, Again…, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn the story behind this peculiar holiday. All ages.
Saturday, 2/6; 1:30pm - 2:30pm (Zoom)
From Sand Ridge to Freedom Road, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Discover how the ancient shoreline Michigan City Road sits was formed and its connection to the Chicago to Detroit route of the Underground Railroad. Registration Required. Call 708-868-0606 or visit in person at our nature center.
Sunday, 2/7; 9:30am - 2:30pm
Winter Survival: Resting Reptiles (Self-Guided), Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Pick up an informational guide to lead your own adventure and discover the challenges and survival strategies of reptiles in winter.
Sunday, 2/7; 10am - 3pm (Self-guided)
The Search for Gary the Groundhog and His Friends, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn the basics of fire building using a mix of primitive and modern techniques. Once perfected, try constructing your own! No registration required. Pick up your scavenger hunt sheets at the outdoor front desk. Completed scavenger hunts will receive a small prize while supplies last.
Wednesday, 2/10; 6:30pm (Zoom)
Bellwood and Beyond: A Presentation on Local Forest Preserves
In partnership with the Bellwood Public Library, join in on a virtual presentation where we will cover Forest Preserve history and specifically highlight forest preserve amenities to take advantage of in Bellwood and the surrounding communities. Questions will be answered at the end of the presentation. Registration required in order to obtain the Zoom link. Please visit bellwoodandbeyond.eventbrite.com.
Thursday, 2/11; 1pm (Facebook LIVE)
Valentines Forest Bathing, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Explore the therapeutic benefits of forest bathing and learn techniques that will help deepen your connection and love for one another.
Thursday, 2/11 to Sunday 2/14; 9am - 4pm
Children’s Animal Valentine Card Craft, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Create a cute animal Valentine’s Day card to give to an animal at Trailside or to your Valentine! Pick up a bag at the Museum with all the materials you need except glue and scissors.
Friday, 2/13; 6pm - 9pm (Self-guided)
Sand Ridge by Candlelight, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Enjoy Sand Ridge at night during a relaxing candle lit self-guided walk through the woods on our beautiful trails. Registration Required. Call 708-868-0606 or visit in person at our nature center. Multiple time slots available.
Sunday, 2/14; 11am (Zoom)
If Twigs Could Talk, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Become a twig detective! Learn how to use a dichotomous key to identify trees in the winter. Registration required. Call 847-381-6592. Twig kits need to be picked up from Crabtree in advance. Ages 12 and up.
Monday, 2/15; 11am (Facebook LIVE)
Box Turtle Lunch, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Have lunch over Facebook Live with our resident Box Turtles while learning how to make your own turtle inspired lunch. The ingredient list will be made available on Facebook before the program.
Wednesday, 2/17; 12pm
Facebook Live at Lunchtime: Raptor Training, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us to view a training session as we work with a live raptor.
Thursday, 2/18; 6pm (Zoom)
Crayfish of the Chicago Region
Did you know Illinois has 23 different species of crayfish? Learn about which crayfish can be found in the waterways around Chicago and the importance crayfish play in water and ecosystem quality. Register at crayfishofchicago.eventbrite.com.
Thursday, 2/18; 2pm (Facebook LIVE)
2 Owls and a Naturalist, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Let’s talk about owls. All ages.
Friday, 2/19; 6:30pm (Zoom)
Winter Watercolors
Explore nature through artmaking. In this virtual class, an instructor will lead you step-by-step through watercolor painting. Registration required. Please visit eventbrite.com/e/art-in-nature-winter-watercolors-tickets.
Friday, 2/19; 11am - 1pm
Winter Craft Pick-Up Kits, Swallow Cliff Woods, Palos Heights
Let nature inspire your creativity. Register to pick up a nature inspired craft to be completed at home. To get a kit, please register at winterpickupcraft.eventbrite.com.
Friday, 2/19; 11am (Facebook LIVE)
Creature Feature: The Barred Owl, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Join us for a Facebook live event featuring one of our ambassador animals, the Barred Owl. Come learn about how this unique raptor has adapted to live in our region and parts of the US and Canada. Questions are encouraged. All ages.
Sunday, 2/21; 1pm (Zoom)
Nature Knowledge Showdown, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Get ready to rumble in this friendly trivia competition. Our game show will feature local nature knowledge of all levels. Do you need a refresher on how to tell your gadwells from your goldfinches? Are those tracks coyote or dog? Registration required. Call 847-381-6592.
Tuesday, 2/23; 1pm (Facebook LIVE)
DIY Fire Starters
Learn how to make easy, eco-friendly fire starters at home for your next campfire.
Wednesday, 2/24; 6:30pm -7:30pm
Virtual: Winter Photography Skills Workshop
This online workshop over Zoom will cover photography basics, with a focus on composition in the winter. We will cover issues you may experience while out taking pictures when there is snowfall and provide tips and best practices for you to use on your next winter photography adventure. The presentation will include recommendations on some of our most picturesque preserves for you to explore with your camera. Questions will be answered at the end of the presentation. Registration required in order to obtain the Zoom link. Please visit winterphotoskills2.eventbrite.com.
Wednesday, 2/24; 5pm (Facebook LIVE)
Nature DIY: Winter Reduce and Reuse, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn how to make vegetable broth out of food waste in this tutorial demonstrating at-home projects to reduce waste and repurpose winter home goods.
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