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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 6/22/2021 - 7/27/2021
Please bring a facemask to Forest Preserves events and activities. Facemask requirements listed below are for unvaccinated patrons. Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website, www.fpdcc.com/events, for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 6/22 through Monday, 9/6
Dinos Everywhere! Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Over 40 animatronic dinosaurs that are BIGGER and BADDER than ever before have arrived at Brookfield Zoo. Dinos Everywhere features acres of earth shakers, including the largest Argentinosaurus that was estimated to measure more than 100 feet in length and weigh up to 110 tons. Zoogoers will be able to search for this amazing life-like animatronics located throughout the park.
Thursday, 6/24; 8pm
Moon Walk & Folktale, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
A folktale recited by a librarian from LaGrange Park Library will accompany this guided walk under the strawberry full moon. We will search for native frogs and toads between narrations on the 1-mile White Oak Trail. All Ages. Please bring binoculars. Limited pairs to lend. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708- 839-6897.
Saturday, 6/26; 1pm
The Importance of Pollinators, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Pollinators play an important role in our ecosystems. Learn about their functions and the common pollinator plants found here at Sand Ridge Campus.
Registration and facemasks required. Registration can be done by phone (708-868-0606), in person at our nature center (7 days a week 8am-4pm), or via email at sandridge.naturecenter@cookcountyil.gov.
Saturday, 6/26; 10am - 12pm
Pollinator Party, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Come celebrate with us as we increase and promote public awareness of the importance of pollinators and wildlife specifically including monarch butterflies, bats, birds, and other insects. Activities include nature-based family fun, bee programming, and wildflower hikes. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-839-6897.
Saturday, 6/26; 10:30am
Pond Dip for Tweens and Teens, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join a naturalist as we dip net in our pond to investigate macroinvertebrates and learn what they can tell us about the pond habitat at Trailside Museum. For ages 11 to 16. Bring your own boots, or shoes that can get wet. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-366-6530.
Sunday, 6/27; 1pm
The Secret Life of Snakes, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we learn about our scaley friends and meet one of our resident snakes. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-868-0606.
Wednesday, 6/30; 1pm
Kayak the Salt Creek River Trail, Bemis Woods-North, Westchester
Join us as we paddle over 8 miles of the Salt Creek River Trail from Bemis Woods to Plank Road Meadow. Instruction, sanitized equipment, and kayaks provided. A shuttle will be provided back to Bemis Woods at the conclusion of the trip. Space is limited and registration is required, call 312-533-5751. Registration and facemasks required.
Wednesday, 6/30; 10am
School’s Out for Summer Hike, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join a naturalist for a casual nature hike to explore and enjoy early summer along our trails. For adults and children w/an adult. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-366-6530.
Thursday, 7/1; 10am
S.E.N.I.O.R.S., Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Join us for a nature inspired adventure for seniors. Ages 55 and over. Registration and facemasks required.
Saturday, 7/3; 10am
Nature for Little Ones: Red, white, blue (and green!), Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Little ones with their families are invited to a nature program made just for them! Summer is filled with color, and we will go on a color-themed outdoor scavenger hunt to find red, white, blue, and more.
Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-868-0606.
Friday, 7/2; 10am - 12pm
Fridays in the Field: Birds and Nests, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
University of Illinois Extension Certified Master Naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities on the grounds when the buildings are closed. Registration and facemasks required.
Saturday, 7/3; 7:30pm
What Glows in the Dark? Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Discover why fireflies glow in the dark before setting out on a one-mile adventure looking for these incredible creatures. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-868-0606.
Sunday, 7/4; 10am
Picture Perfect Prairie, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Bring your camera or use your phone to photograph insects and flowers in the prairie. Registration and facemasks required. Call 630-257-2045.
Sunday, 7/4; 1:30pm
The Bald Eagle: Celebrating Our Symbol, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Bald Eagles are pretty cool. Stop by and learn why. Registration and facemasks required.
Sunday, 7/4; 1pm
Red, White, and Blue, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
On Independence Day, walk the Bur Edge Trail (1.4 miles) with a naturalist and look for plants and animals wearing USA Red, white and blue. Registration and facemasks required.
Wednesdays, 7/7 through 7/28; 9:30am - 10:30am
Yoga, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Enjoy basic yoga stretches and breathing at Dan Ryan Woods-Forest preserves. This is for all levels. Focus, breathe, stretch! Grab your mat and a block or pillow. Do not forget to bring your water! This class is at Dan Ryan Woods Location! This program is brought to you in partnership with GiGi Tonye’ Arts & Fitness. Please bring your own yoga mat. Call or email to register at Jessica.Becker@cookcountyil.gov or 312-415-2970.
Friday, 7/9; 9:30am - 11 am
Nature Journaling Workshop, Schiller Woods, Chicago
Learn the essentials of keeping an illustrated nature journal to deepen your observations and connection to nature wherever you find it. No drawing or journaling experience is necessary to begin this expansive practice of curiosity and exploration. Led by Maureen Clare Murphy, Illinois Extension Master Naturalist. Registration and facemasks required. Call 312-533-5751.
Friday, 7/9; 8pm
Sunset Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Lighting bugs - or do you say fireflies? - will Highlight this walk around the pond and river, with musical accompaniment by summer birds. Join John Elliott of Chicago Audubon for a casual evening stroll. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-366-6530.
Saturday, 7/10; 11am - 3pm
Butterfly Count, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Sign up today! Join us for the NABA butterfly count in the southwest Forest Preserves of Cook County. Help scientists learn more about butterflies with Forest Preserves of Cook County, Orland Park Public Library, and the North America Butterfly Association. Registration and facemasks required. Call 630-257-2045.
Saturday, 7/10; 10am - 2pm
Kids Fest, Wampum Lake, Thornton
Enjoy this annual event suitable for the whole family. Enjoy the great outdoors with recreation, arts and crafts, games and more! Registration and facemasks required. Visit kidsfest2021.eventbrite.com.
Saturday, 7/10; 6am
Early Risers, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Nature center grounds will be open early for hiking, bird watching & photographers looking to explore and capture nature in the early morning light. Bathroom doors will open from the outside at 6 am. Ages 18 and up. Registration and facemasks required.
Sunday, 7/11; 10am - 2pm
Don't Lose Your Head, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
How well can you recognize animals from their skulls? Test yourself with this fun quiz for all-ages.
Registration and facemasks required.
Tuesday, 7/13; 11am (Facebook Live)
Creative Reduce to Reuse, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
A tutorial demonstration of an at-home project to reduce waste and repurpose home goods. Ages 13 and up.
Wednesday, 7/14; 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Camping 101, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Free demonstration-based workshop series teaching basic camping skills. All ages: children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a folding chair/blanket for seating. Do you have your own tent that you need practice with? Bring it and we will help! For more information visit, eventbrite.com/e/camping-101-workshop. Registration and facemasks required.
Wednesday, 7/14; 9am
Hooray for Herons, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join a Naturalist outside at the Museum for a short talk about these fascinating birds that can be found visiting the pond at Trailside. Talk will be followed by a short walk by the pond and along the Des Plaines River. For adults and families. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-366-6530.
Thursday, 7/15; 8pm - 10pm
Nature’s Fireworks and Symphony, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Bring your camera or use your phone to photograph insects and flowers in the prairie. Registration and facemasks required. Call 630-257-2045.
Thursday, 7/15; 11am - 2pm
Mini Insect Fest, Cummings Square, River Forest
Try your hand at catching and identifying bugs, make insect themed crafts, and follow the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies. Nature play and other self-guided activities will be offered, as well. Facemasks required.
Thursday, 7/15; 7pm
Trailside Nature Book Club, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us for an evening in the great outdoors by the Museum, to discuss the book Field Notes of an Unintentional Birder by Julie Zarank. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-366-6530.
Saturday, 7/17; 12pm - 4pm
Outdoor Block Party, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Create your own adventure with family and friends this summer with music, nature play, artmaking projects, games, walks, and more.
Saturday, 7/17; 8:30pm
Batty for Bats Night Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Bats of Cook County are nocturnal insectivores. Participate in a night hike around Black Oak Trail in search for signs of Bat activity. Registration and facemasks required.
Saturday, 7/17; 9:30am - 11:30am
Dog Days of Summer, Beck Lake Boat Launch, Glenview
Partake in a doggy paddle, guided nature walks, paw print painting on a tree cookie, and more! BYO-Dog. Dogs must be pet and person-friendly and remain on leash at all times. Dog PFD’s not provided. To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/dog-days-of-summer. Facemasks required.
Sunday, 7/18; 1:30pm
Hummingbird Happiness, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we observe these tiny creatures in flight around our bird garden and trails and talk about how to attract them to your home. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-868-0606.
Sunday, 7/18; 1pm
Mammal Murmur, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for this outdoor presentation on some of the Mammals that call Cook County home. Registration and facemasks required.
Tuesday, 7/20 through Thursday, 7/22; 9:30am - 2:30pm
Forest Ecology - Teacher Field Science Workshop, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Hands-on field work with naturalists and NGSS guidance from Illinois Science Teachers Association will give you what you need to bring nature into your classroom.
A 3-day workshop dedicated to helping you see the forest in addition to the trees. Learn how to identify trees, measure forest health, understand the forest’s past and even predict its future. You will leave confident in teaching students how to read the landscape by measuring biotic and abiotic factors of their environment. Enjoy three days in the field, plus one evening Zoom session on Tuesday, July 20. Registration is limited: ilscience.org/event. Facemasks required. Call 630-257-2045 for more information.
Wednesday, 7/21; 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Nighttime Discovery Celebration, Pulaski Woods, Willow Springs
Join us for an evening of discovery as we celebrate the night sky! Hikes, activities, and crafts will be offered to help us better understand the wonders of the natural light from the moon and stars. Registration encouraged. Visit nighttimepulaski.eventbrite.com. Facemasks required.
Thursday, 7/22; 6pm -7:30pm
Get Started with Nature Journaling, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Join us at Trailside to learn the essentials of keeping an illustrated nature journal, to deepen your observations and connection to nature wherever you find it. No drawing or journaling experience is necessary to begin this practice of curiosity and exploration. Instructor: Maureen Clare Murphy, Il Extension Master Naturalist intern. Ages 13yrs and up. Adults and teens only. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-366-6530.
Thursday, 7/22; 7pm (Via Zoom)
Planting for Monarch Butterflies in All Their Life Stages, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Most people know that Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed plants, however, adult Monarch Butterflies also need excellent flower nectar sources to fuel their North and South migrations, as well as when they are mating and laying eggs. We will discuss some of the best native plant species for your yard to help Monarch Butterflies spring to fall.
Friday, 7/23; 7:30pm
Creatures of the Night, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Learn how local nocturnal animals and specially adapted to the night. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-868-0606.
Friday, 7/23; 8:30pm
Moon Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Let the full buck moon be our guide as we hike the one-mile White Oak trail while listening to the sweet sounds of signing insects. All ages. Please bring binoculars. Limited pairs to lend. Registration and facemasks required.
Sunday, 7/25; 10:30am and 1:30pm
The Buzz on Bees, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Visit our beehives and meet the beekeepers to learn about bees, pollination, and honey. All Ages. Registration and facemasks required.
Tuesday, 7/27; 6pm
Twilight Walk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Some of our local wildlife begin their day just as the sun begins to set. Learn about these animals and more on a guided walk. $3 per person; Limited space available. Registration and facemasks required.
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