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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar: 12/13/2022 - 1/24/2023
Please check the Forest Preserve of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 12/14; 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Knitting in Nature Workshop, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
With nature as our backdrop, learn how to knit a cowl using natural fibers. Supplies, instruction provided. Ages 10 and up with adult. Registration required.
Saturday, 12/17; 3:30pm - 7pm
Winter Bonfire, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we celebrate the beginning of winter with a large bonfire, artmaking, nature walks and more.
Saturday, 12/17; 9:30am - 11:30am
Clear the Ski Trail, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Help maintain Sagawau ski trails by cutting and removing brush. Tools and safety gear are provided. Ages 10 and up. Registration and facemasks required.
Saturday, 12/17; 10:30am
Winter Dog Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
This hike is for the dog walkers! Join a naturalist as you and your (leashed) friend go on a nature walk. Ages 18 and up. Registration required. Call 708-366-6530.
Saturday, 12/17; Workshop 1: 9:30am - 10:30am; Workshop 2: 11am - 12pm
Winter Workshop-Cozy Creatives, Matthew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) Chicago
Calling all creatives! Join us we explore nature journaling and watercolors. Register for one or both sessions. Ages 13 and up. Registration required.
Sunday, 12/18; 9:30am - 11:30am
Clear the Ski Trail, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Help maintain Sagawau ski trails by cutting and removing brush. Tools and safety gear are provided. Ages 10 and up. Registration required.
Sunday, 12/18; 10am - 11am
Yoga In the Woods; Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Enjoy an all-levels yoga class with a certified instructor. Bring a yoga mat/beach towel and water. Afterwards, enjoy a self-guided walk. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
Sunday, 12/18; 1:30pm
Whoooo Are the Owls in Your Neighborhood? River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us and a special guest for a talk about owls.
Sunday, 12/18; 5:30am
Dawn Owl Prowl, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Listen for owls on our trails as part of the annual Christmas Bird Count, with John Elliot from Chicago Audubon. Ages 10 and up. Registration required. Call 708-366-6530.
Sunday, 12/18; 1pm
Frozen Alive, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Cold blooded animals can survive freezing temperatures and then emerge the following spring without any injury! Learn more about the unique processes during this guided walk.
Wednesday, 12/21; 6:30pm - 9pm
Winter Solstice Night of Lights Walk, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Take a candlelit walk and enjoy a bonfire with some hot chocolate. Registration required.
Thursday, 12/22; 6pm
Winter Fire Building Workshop, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Learn fire building skills and stick around for a story and s’mores around the fire. All ages. Registration required.
Thursday, 12/22; 10am - 1pm
Winter Break-Out Adventure, Schiller Woods, Chicago
In partnership with the American Indian Center, come out for fun and adventure during winter break. Snowshoeing (conditions permitting), hikes, solstice storytelling and other winter-related activities will be offered. The American Indian Center presents Native Storytelling-Winter Solstice Edition. During the long winter months, families gather, to tell and listen to stories. It is said that stories are told in the winter once the first snow has fallen. These stories are told about the power of our animal relatives, Mother Earth, and our plant people, the stories have been passed on by our Elders and are still being told today. We invite you to join us for a cup of cedar tea and enjoy a piece of our culture being brought to you in a good way.
Thursday, 12/22; 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Loteria (Bingo), Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Come play this traditional, fun Mexican game, with a nature twist. All ages welcome. Bilingual. Registration required.
Saturday, 12/24; 10am - 12pm
Winter Nature Play, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Drop by for outdoor family-friendly nature activities on the front lawn.
Tuesday, 12/27; 1pm
Snowshoe Walk, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Enjoy the preserves in snowshoes. Registration required. Snowshoes provided; 4” of snow required. If snowshoeing is not possible, walks and other activities will be offered. All ages.
Wednesday, 12/28; 10am
Winter Walk (No Snow), Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Enjoy a trail walk with a naturalist.
Wednesday, 12/28; 1:30pm
Winter Secrets Hike, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Winter can appear barren of wildlife, but much is happening above, within, and beneath snow. Join us for a walk to see what is happening! Family program. Registration required. Call 708-366-6530.
Wednesday, 12/28; 11am - 2pm
Winter Exploration Day, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
This is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy snowshoeing (weather permitting), nature hikes, art making, campfires and more!
Saturday, 12/31; 10am
New Year’s Wellness Walk; Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Kick off your resolution of being more active by taking a hike with a naturalist on New Year’s Eve morning!
Saturday, 12/31; 10am
Renew, Rejuvenate, Restore, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Renew, rejuvenate, and restore your mind, body, and spirit. Followed by a bonfire and hot chocolate.
Monday, 1/2; 11am
Resolution Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Take steps towards your health goals during this light 1-mile nature walk.
Monday, 1/2; 10am
New Year’s Resolution Walk, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Fulfill your resolution of being more active by taking a brisk guided walk. Ages 18 and up. Registration required. Call 708-366-6530.
Thursday, 1/5; 6pm - 8pm
Winter Workshop: Woodworking, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Create a walking stick from buckthorn. Ages 10 and up. Registration required.
Friday, 1/6; 6pm
Winter Fire Building Workshop, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Learn fire building skills and stick around for a story and s’mores around the fire. All ages. Registration required.
Saturday, 1/7; 10am - 12pm
Pinecone Suet Feeders, Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
Learn about birds that call Cook County home during winter and leave with a feeder. Ages 6 and up.
Saturdays and Sundays, 1/7 through 2/26; 9am
Beginner Cross-Country Ski Lessons-Snow, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Learn to ski with a certified Professional Ski Instructor of America. $20 per person. Ages 12 and up. Registration required (link on website) beginning the Sunday prior to the lesson week.
Saturdays and Sundays, 1/7 through 2/26; 9am
Cross-Country Ski Seminar-No Snow, Sagawau Nature Center, Lemont
Learn to ski with a certified Professional Ski Instructor of America. $20 per person. Ages 12 and up. Registration required (link on website) beginning the Sunday prior to the lesson week.
Sunday, 1/8; 9:30am - 12pm
Cold Weather Crafting, Swallow Cliff Woods, Palos Park
Enjoy a cozy winter morning inside listening to the crackle of a fire while creating nature-themed art.
Thursday, 1/12; 6:30pm - 8pm
Conservation@Home: Native Gardens for Urban Landscapes, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Get organized for spring with this intro to native plant landscaping taught by a University of Illinois Extension volunteer and landscape designer. Registration required by 1/5. Ages 13 and up.
Saturday, 1/14; 10am - 12pm
Explore: Horsetail Lake, Horsetail Lake, Palos Park
Adults and families, grab a self-guided exploration activity or join a guided hike. Help with litter pickup, warm up by a fire, and enjoy a fun nature craft.
Saturday, 1/14; 10am - 1pm
MLK Service Day Celebration, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Partake in restoration, celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and warm up with hot beverages. Restoration for ages 10 and up. For group registration, please call 773-758-8899.
Monday, 1/16; 10am - 3pm
MLK Day of Service, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Stop by the nature center to participate in a self-led litter pick-up. Garbage bags and disposable gloves available.
Monday, 1/16; 10am - 12pm
MLK Day of Service, Miller Meadow-North, Forest Park
Give back this MLK day. Join us for a litter clean up in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drop-in event.
Monday, 1/16; 10am - 12pm
MLK Day of Service, Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago
Give back this MLK day. Join us for a litter clean up in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drop-in event.
Monday, 1/16; 10am - 12pm
MLK Day of Service, Schubert’s Woods, Chicago
Give back this MLK day. Join us for a litter clean up in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drop-in event.
Friday, 1/20; 1pm - 3pm
Bird Painting Workshop Step-by-Step: Black-capped Chickadee, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Sketch and paint a black-capped chickadee. For beginners and experienced artists. Registration required. Call 708-366-6530. Ages 13 and up. Materials provided. $5 per person.
Saturday, 1/21; 10am
Surviving Phantom; Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for a fast-paced 3-mile winter hike around Phantom Prairie loop. Ages 18 and up.
Saturday, 1/21; 1pm - 3pm
Snow Snake Workshop, Schiller Woods, Chicago
Join the American Indian Center for a workshop on Snow Snake, a Native American winter sport. Enjoy storytelling, stick making and the formation of Snow Snake itself, weather permitting.
Saturday, 1/21; 7pm
A “Winters” Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about nocturnal animals. Afterwards, brave the cold for a guided walk. Cost:$3 per person. Registration required by 1/19.
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