International Vulture Awareness Day
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the important members of nature’s clean-up crew! Meet our turkey vulture and make a cute vulture craft.
Events in Central Cook County
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Central Cook County
Composting 101
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn how to compost, reduce waste and benefit the Earth. Hear a master naturalist from University of Illinois Extension explain […]
Colors of the Forest – Natural Dyes
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Hands-on class teaching the traditional uses of plants and trees as dyes. In partnership with Trickster Gallery as part of […]
Faire at the Square
Cummings Square • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy this “creative-reuse carnival” with themed games made from re-purposed materials! Win prizes, learn about nature, and more.
Migrating Monarchs Celebration
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Travel and trace the butterfly’s migration route through fun activities, kid’s crafts and more. Learn how you can help monarchs […]
Nature Story Time and Wellness Walk for Young Children
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Children ages 3 – 6, w/adult, are invited to hear a nature story, followed by a short, mindful guided walk […]
Silver Creek Prairie Walk
Silver Creek Family Picnic Area • Melrose Park, IL 60160Learn about Forest Preserves restoration efforts, goals, and ways you can get involved on this walk. Ages 12 & up.
Fitness Hike
Sunset Bridge Meadow • River Grove, IL 60171Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to […]
Thursdays in the Field: Celebrating Indigenous Plant Knowledge
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun themed activities for adults and kids. Hosted by Univ of IL Extension volunteers.
Autumnal Equinox Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Celebrate the first day of autumn with a walk.
Autumnal Equinox Program
Schiller Woods-West • Schiller Park, IL 60634Join the American Indian Center of Chicago to learn about the Autumnal Equinox. Grove 2.
Salsa Dance: Party for the Preserve
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a Salsa Dance Party. Enjoy bilingual hikes and family activities. Programa ofrecido en Espanol.
Theodore Stone Nature Walk
Theodore Stone Forest • Hodgkins, IL 60525Join us for a walk through the unusual dolomite prairie to see the late-blooming wildflowers. Ages 16 & up.
Nature Story Trail “It’s Fall” by Linda Glaser
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail near the Museum while reading the posted story. Afterwards, stop in the Museum lobby to pick […]
Forest Therapy Walk
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Forest therapy opens the gateway for creativity and a deepened relationship with self and the natural world. Led by certified […]
Story Trail (en Español)
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Experience a story unfold along a short, looped trail. A craft is available to take home after you complete the […]
Halloween Hoot and Howl
Keystone Park • River Forest, IL 60305Join our partners the River Forest Public Library and the River Forest Park District for an evening of slightly spooky […]
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Festival
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634In partnership with the American Indian Center of Chicago, join us to celebrate Native American culture with a mini-Powwow. Make […]
Bird painting Step-by-Step: Screech Owl
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint. For both beginners and more experienced artists. All materials provided.
$5
Seed Collecting at Wolf Road Prairie
Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)Collect prairie seeds with us and learn about the story of the prairie. Ages 12 & up.
Annular Solar Eclipse Viewing Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us (if the sun is shining) to view a partial solar eclipse! We will have special telescope set up […]
Without Limits: Adventure for All
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Individuals with physical disabilities and their friends and families can explore nature through adaptive cycling and rock wall climbing. In […]
Thursdays in the Field: Soil and Geology
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun themed activities for adults and kids. Hosted by Univ of IL Extension volunteers.
Forest Therapy Walk
Schiller Woods-West • Schiller Park, IL 60634Forest therapy opens the gateway for creativity and a deepened relationship with self and the natural world. Led by certified […]
National Reptile Awareness Day
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about local reptiles and meet some scaly Animal Ambassadors.
Fall Color Walk (in Polish)
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Take a guided walk in the woods in celebration of Polish American Heritage Month.
Stars, Spooky Stories, & S ’mores
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Join a family-friendly evening with a cozy fire, s ’mores, a “spooky” story trail, star gazing, pumpkin painting and more. […]