History & Culture
Events
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Native American Heritage Wildflower Walk
St. Mihiel Woods-East • Cook County, IL 60477 (near Tinley Park)As part of America 250, honor Native American culture and focus on their deep, respectful and reciprocal relationship with the natural world.
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Little Cal Paddles
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Join Chicago Adventure Therapy for a paddle in 10-person canoes, exploring the history, people and stories that shape the community.
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Weaving a Community
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn weaving techniques and its history as well as the natural history of invasive plants. Supplies provided.
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Story Time in Polish
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Program dla najmłodszych miłośników natury. Z pomocą znanych i lubianych wierszyków poznamy owady, ptaki i inne zwierzęta i poszukamy ich w lesie.
Free • Registration Required -
Watercolor Workshop with Berry-based Paints
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join Navraaz Basati of Wandering Paths, LLC on a forest therapy walk, then paint using plant-based inks on seed paper.
Free • Registration Required -
Canceled Cultural Presentation and Dance Exhibition
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634A showcase of Native dance forms and cultural presentations. Presented with the American Indian Center of Chicago.
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Summertime Stories
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480The Naperville Chinese Storytellers share stories in Chinese followed by nature-based art and activities. Ages 10 & under w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Nature Book Club: “I Contain Multitudes” by Ed Yong
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Discuss the featured book and ponder the hidden depths of familiar animals and ordinary things. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Wildflowers in the Prairie
Carl R. Hansen Woods • Cook County, IL 60192 (near Schaumburg)Learn about the natural history and wildflowers of Shoe Factory Road Prairie on this 2-mile walk. Bring sun protection and water!
Free • Registration Required -
The Jewels of Mexico
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439An indoor presentation explores the legend of hummingbirds and their cultural significance in Mexico. Followed by walk to hummingbird garden.
Free • Registration Required -
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Chakra Balancing Gardens
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Learn the connection with nature through chakras. Led by Navraaz Kaur Basati from Wandering Paths.
Free • Registration Required -
“The Grown-Ups”
Featured Weekly Wellness ProgrammingCaldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646This funny, deeply human play invites audiences to gather close and “lose” themselves in the woods. Presented with The Tramps. (Begins at sunset.)
Free • Registration Required -
National Hummingbird Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore the conservation and historical importance of these birds throughout the Americas: Family-friendly activities and crafts: 10 am to 3 pm Walking presentation for ages […]
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Aztec Dance Performance: La Danza de los Concheros
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Experience a journey into Mexico’s ancient Aztec culture of music, song and dance. Presented with Xochitl-Quetzal Danza Azteca.
Free • Registration Required -
Sonidos Sagrados: Una Exhibición de Instrumentos Aztecas
FeaturedTrailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Explora los sagrados instrumentos aztecas en exhibición del 15 al 27 de septiembre, descubriendo los sonidos, la historia y el significado cultural de la herencia […]
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Forest Bathing for the High Holidays
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Experience shinrin-yoku, a form of therapeutic relaxation immersed in nature during the “Days of Awe” between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Led by Certified Forest […]
Free • Registration Closed -
Walk & Talk: Oak Forest Heritage Preserve
Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-East • Oak Forest, IL 60452Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be […]
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Nature Thursdays ‘What is climate change?’ 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.
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History of the Lagoons Paddle
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Explore the Skokie Lagoons by water. Equipment provided. Presented with Chicago River Canoe & Kayak.
Free • Registration Closed -
Canceled 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.
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Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Celebrate diverse, vibrant Hispanic cultures with dance performances, arts and nature education, and local food! Center of Peruvian Arts performance at 12 pm, Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec […]
Free • Registration Required -
Monarchs
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Learn how monarchs make their journey to Mexico during a presentation, followed by a hike.
Free • Registration Required -
Sukkah Building
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join community members to decorate a miniature sukkah from natural materials. All ages are welcome!
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Native American Fall Equinox
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305A green corn celebration focused on traditional foods and the harvest season. Presented with the American Indian Center of Chicago.
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Moon Festival
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the season under the glow of the full moon with guided forest‑therapy walks, moon‑viewing and sharing of traditional mooncakes during this Asian cultural festival. […]
Free • Registration Required -
Party for the Preserves
FeaturedRiver Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Celebrate National Public Lands Day at our annual Party for the Preserves. Arrive in the morning and make a toy boat with natural materials and […]
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Party for the Preserves
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the places that bring us together with a day of outdoor fun for all ages. Enjoy a bilingual prairie walk, family activities, hands-on seed […]
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Salsa Dance: Party for the Preserves
FeaturedThatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Dance into National Public Lands Day and Hispanic Heritage Month with an afternoon of live music, salsa dancing and festive outdoor fun. Bring your family and friends […]
Free • Registration Required -
Every Child Matters Powwow
Bunker Hill • Niles, IL 60714Celebrate Native American culture. Enjoy traditional Powwow, native food, and listen to stories. Register: call 773-883-9100. Grove 1.
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Party for the Preserves
FeaturedCamp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a day of activities. Paddle in 10-person canoes with Wilderness Inquiry. Funkadesi brings joyful tunes blending music from around the world. View the night sky with telescopes and walks. Noon–3 pm: 4H Kick off, […]
Free • Registration Required -
Party for the Preserves: Acoustics Under the Stars
FeaturedCamp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate the connection between public lands and folk music with performances, a guided walk and hot dog roast. Bring your own instruments and join in […]
Free • Registration Required -
Ritmos Sagrados: Danza y Herencia Azteca
FeaturedTrailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Un evento cultural sobre la danza tradicional azteca, destacando instrumentos sagrados, ritmos ancestrales, expresión espiritual y la rica herencia indígena mexicana. English Translation Sacred Rhythms: […]
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Party for the Preserves: Canoeing
FeaturedPowderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Celebrate National Public Lands Day. Paddle in 10-person canoes with Wilderness Inquiry. All equipment provided. Enjoy fun family activities. 10 am–2 pm: Paddling & family […]
Free • Registration Required -
Music in Nature
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Migration is adaptive, exploratory, brave, exhilarating, ancestral. Missing Piece, a Chicago-based violin/cello duo, expresses the beauty and the challenge of migration in this particular time […]
Free • Registration Required -
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.
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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 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.
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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
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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 -
Hispanic Heritage Month Nature Art Studio
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Create art inspired by renowned Hispanic artists. All ages. Drop in.
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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 -
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 -
Hispanic Heritage Paddle
Powderhorn Lake • Burnham, IL 60633Join Friends of the Chicago River for bilingual bird paddling and storytelling on the water.
Free • Registration Required -
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 […]
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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 -
Entre Mundos: Una Celebración del Día de Muertos
FeaturedTrailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Conmemora el Día de Muertos con danzantes aztecas, explorando el significado de los altares, las tradiciones espirituales y la profunda importancia de honrar a los […]
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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 […]
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Indigenous Scary Storytelling
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy listening to traditional and contemporary supernatural stories shared by the American Indian Center.
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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.
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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
