Education
Events
-
-
All About Canines
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Learn about the diverse family of canines—from wolves to domestic dogs—and their impact through interactive exhibits and activities.
Free -
-
-
Fridays in the Field
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Drop-in to discover something new in nature with University of Illinois-Extension volunteers.
Free -
Halloween Hoot and Howl
FeaturedKeystone Park • River Forest, IL 60305Spooky family fun featuring live music, pumpkin painting and more. Presented with the River Forest Park District and River Forest Public Library.
Free -
-
Walk & Talk: Skokie Lagoons
Forest Way Grove • Cook County, IL 60022 (near Glencoe)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be […]
Free • Registration Required -
World Migratory Bird Day Paddle
Linne Woods • Morton Grove, IL 60053Experience the magic of migration with Friends of the Chicago River and Chicago Ornithological Society. Grove 2.
Free • Registration Required -
World Migratory Bird Day Paddle
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Celebrate migratory birds through activities, talks and paddling. Presented with Friends of the Chicago River.
Free • Registration Required -
World Animal Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate Filipino American History Month with this year’s theme: See the World Through Their Eyes during this English/Tagalog bilingual program.
Free -
73rd Annual Powwow
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634Celebrate Native American culture and enjoy traditional Powwow, food and more. Presented with American Indian Center of Chicago. Grove 9
-
Nuts About Nature
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Explore the grounds to find native nuts and learn how animals use them for food and survival.sq
Free -
Arach-tober: The Return of the Eight-legged Creatures
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Learn about spiders and why they aren’t so scary.
Free • Registration Required -
Listening to Nature
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439W. Long will lead us in an exploration of the soundscape via the trails of the Sagawau Environmental Learning Center. Ages 13 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Pumpkinpalooza
Featured Weekly Wellness ProgrammingCaldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646Paint pumpkins and bowl, dye buckthorn, play ring toss, maneuver through a fall-themed obstacle course, and more! Supplies limited.
Free -
Paddle at Beaubien Woods
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Paddle along the Little Calumet River. All ages. First come, first served. Registration is not required, but RSVPs are appreciated. Contact us at 708-771-9632 or […]
Free -
Live Healthy, Discover Nature! Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Venture out on our scenic trails for a guided 3- to 4-mile walk.
Free • Registration Required -
Animal Enrichment Studio
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about animal behavior while crafting enrichment items ambassador animals! Ages 10 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Free -
Red Gate Woods: The Dawning of the Atomic Age
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Learn about the world’s first nuclear reactor from scientist, Dave Dolak. Presentation at Sagawau before strenuous hike at Red Gate Woods. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
-
Sugar Shack Time Machine
FeaturedRiver Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Travel through time as we open our sugar shack and learn about the history of maple syrup.
Free • Registration Required -
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Free -
Wildlife Connections
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy. All ages.
Free -
Breast Cancer Awareness
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Stop by our resource tables to learn more about breast cancer. Presented with Advocate Health Care.
Free -
-
Senior Nature Club
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover nature through activities. Ages 55 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
S.E.N.I.O.R.S.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Seniors can deepen their connection to the outdoors with fresh, engaging nature programs offered each month. Ages 55 […]
Free -
Be a Better Birder: Backyard Bird Feeding
Virtual EventDiscover how to make your home bird friendly. Learn about bird feeders, types of food and more.
Free • Registration Required -
Trickster DaWaag (Fall) Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Two-day camp for all ages featuring cultural teachings, storytelling, games, artmaking and more! Sponsored by Trickster Cultural Center’s Communities for Positive Youth Development. Free registration […]
Free • Registration Required -
Mushroom Walk
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join us for a fun fungal walk as we search for mushrooms and learn about these fascinating organisms. DJ/Danielle is a local naturalist and Survey […]
Free -
Fridays in the Field
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities when the buildings are closed.
Free -
Rust at Dusk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore an old farm trail surrounded by tallgrass prairie and relics of the past. Ages 12 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Underground Railroad Tour
John Husar I&M Canal Bicycle Trail Parking Lot • Willow Springs, IL 60480Tour includes info about the historical significance of this corridor. Arrive at I&M Canal for a discussion of the site and then shuttle to Lyonsville […]
Free • Registration Required -
Fall Tree Walk
Deer Grove-West • Cook County, IL 60010 (near Barrington)Enjoy a guided walk and learn how to identify trees in the fall. Grove 5.
Free • Registration Required -
Tea-time
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Sample a variety of herbal tea blends paired with local honeys. Ages 13 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Invertebrate Investigation
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Search for insects and arthropods who call tallgrass prairies home.
Free -
Fall Fungi
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn basics of mushroom identification during guided walk. Ages 18 & up. Ages 13-17 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Free -
“Bone” Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s ambassador animals.
Free -
Owl Prowl
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Introduction to owls followed by a relaxing walk to search for owls.
Free • Registration Required -
Sunrise Hike
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Step into the quiet stillness of early morning and join us for a before-hours hike to witness the beauty of a new day. Gates and […]
Free -
Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Observe bird banding and talk with banders. Drop-in.
Free -
Fall Color Walk
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062View the spectacular fall colors while enjoying a casual walk in the woods.
Free -
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making decorative sugar skulls. Vibrantly colored sugar skulls represent the circle of life and are ornamental gifts for friends and […]
Free -
Fall Fungi
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Short naturalist-led hike to look for local species of fungi. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Fall Color Walk
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062View the spectacular fall colors while enjoying a casual walk in the woods.
Free -
Weaving with Weeds: Cattail Mat
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the history of basketry/weaving techniques and create a small project with a common invasive plant. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Free -
Little Sprouts Sound Lab
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore nature through sensory activities, outdoor listening and sound‑making. Ages 2-6 w/ adult. Siblings welcome.
Free • Registration Required -
Wildlife Connections
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy. All ages.
Free -
Walk & Talk: History of Poplar Creek
Carl R. Hansen Woods • Cook County, IL 60192 (near Schaumburg)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be […]
Free -
Everyone in Nature
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for an inclusive sensory-based experience where individuals of all abilities and homeschool learners can explore and connect with nature through hands-on activities. Participants […]
Free • Registration Required -
Camping 101
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn basic skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more!
Free -
Indigenous Scary Storytelling
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy listening to traditional and contemporary supernatural stories shared by the American Indian Center.
Free -
Owl Prowl
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls.
Free • Registration Required -
Forest Preserves of Cook County Research Symposium
Brookfield Zoo Chicago • Brookfield, IL 60513This event is for everyone interested in research at the Forest Preserves to share knowledge, activities and opportunities for future research to foster relationships and […]
$25 • Registration Required -
Nature Thursdays ‘Skeletons from Trailside’s Collections’ Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun themed activities for all ages. Led by University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists.
Free -
Outdoor Skills Workshop
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Develop or master knot tying, tents, fire building and more. Presented with Chicago Voyagers.
Free • Registration Required -
Nature Book Club: “Backyard Bird Chronicles”
Forest Park Public Library • Forest Park, IL 60130Join a lively book discussion about “Backyard Bird Chronicles” by Amy Tan.
Free • Registration Required -
Night of Nature Play
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Scavenger hunt, games and crafts under the glowing night (black) lights.
Free -
Hike the Freedom Trail: Bus and Walking Tour
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Follow the tale of Freedom Seekers through the Calumet Region. Presented with Midwest Underground Railroad Network.
Free • Registration Required -
Animal Enrichment Studio for Teens
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Create enrichment items for our ambassador animals, then see how they are used as an important part of their care.
Free -
REACH Nature Navigators
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646A high-energy outdoor adventure guiding visitors through a Leave No Trace scavenger hunt, shelter building and backpack challenges, wilderness first aid demos, river critter investigations, […]
Free • Registration Required -
-
Seed Collecting at Wolf Road Prairie
Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)Join us for a prairie seed collecting workday and learn about history of remnant prairie. Ages 8 & up. Ages 15 & under w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
America’s Landscapes: The Palos Preserves
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Learn the geological story of the hilly landscape and some of its special land formations. Oral and ASL presentation.
Free -
Oak-tober Fall Colors Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Enjoy seasonal color changes and learn about our native oaks. Ages 12 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Meet the Birds
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Stop by to see our birds at mealtime.
Free -
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Free -
Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Observe bird banding and talk with banders. Drop-in.
Free -
Fall Color Walk
FeaturedPalos Park Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Travel through beautiful, wooded preserves as we look for colors of the season. 3.5 miles.
Free -
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Free -
Wildlife Connections
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy. All ages.
Free -
Reptile Awareness Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Learn about and experience reptiles from Illinois and abroad.
Free -
Owl Sit
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Celebrate Birdabilty week with a mobility friendly owl sit. Instead of walking through the woods trying to find owls, we will be waiting in one […]
Free • Registration Required
