Birding
Nests: Birds Baskets of Life
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439We’ll search for nests and nesting activity. Bring binoculars or borrow ours.nestnes
Bilingual Community Series/ Serie de la Comunitaria Bilingüe
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and Chicago BIPOC Birders for an early morning birding adventure. Únase a Friends of […]
Nesting Bird Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Canceled Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for an evening of tagging and releasing to learn about our birds.
Bird Outing
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Look for birds with Chicago Bird Alliance. Grove 7.
Intro to Birding
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a stroll looking for birds while we learn basic ID tips. All skill levels welcome.
Nature Discovery Field Camp
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Children ages 10-11 will explore the outdoors through fishing, birdwatching, insect discovery, treasure hunts and hands-on animal encounters. Snacks included. […]
Be a Better Birder: Birding Ethics
Don’t be THAT person when you are out birding. Learn about ABA birding ethics and how to ensure other people […]
Birding is Accessible
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a short, slow-paced birdwatching experience on our ADA-accessible trail with a stop at a marsh overlook. Total […]
Bilingual Community Series/ Serie de la Comunitaria Bilingüe
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and Chicago BIPOC Birders for a morning of crafting, along with some stationary birding […]
Red, White and…Black?
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a walk to search for local woodpeckers and learn about their amazing traits.
Wetland Birds Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Ages 18 and up.
Be a Better Birder: Getting Started
Learn how to build your birding kit, how to get started birding, and where to find resources. Great for beginners […]
Bird Painting Step-By-Step
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint a barn swallow. Materials provided. All skill levels welcome. Ages 13 & up.
Event Locations
Nearly all Forest Preserves events are free; some require registration and/or a low fee. Residents may qualify for free admission opportunities at our partners: Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Event Categories
- All Events
- Adaptive
- Animal Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Games & Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Storytelling
- Volunteer
- Wellness in the Woods
- Yoga
Events Guide
Printed copies of our quarterly Events Guide are available at our Nature Centers and General Headquarters. They may also be available at your local city hall or library. Know a location that should have our Events Guide? Contact us.
Events Guide (PDF)Nature Express Bus
Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreMonthly Newsletter
Sign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
Sign UpEvent Accessibility
The Forest Preserves is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Nature Center hosting your event or program 72 hours in advance to request reasonable accommodations or inquire about site accessibility.
Please contact Experience.Nature@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1573 about accommodations for specific camping and outdoor recreation activities.