History & Culture
Events
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Ofrendas Sagradas: Una Ofrenda del Día de Muertos
FeaturedTrailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Visita nuestra ofrenda tradicional en exhibición del 12 de octubre al 2 de noviembre, honrando a los ancestros a través de ofrendas, símbolos y la […]
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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 -
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 -
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, […]
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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.
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Spooky Stories & S ’mores
FeaturedThatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Trick-or-treat, paint a pumpkin, listen to spooky stories and more. Costumes encouraged! Presented with the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library.
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Trunk or Treat
FeaturedEggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event, complete with candy!
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Cornhusk Doll and Storytelling Workshop
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473This workshop will be centered on Indigenous teachings related to land and connection. Participants will engage in creating corn husk dolls and experience traditional storytelling.
Free • Registration Required -
Bachelor’s Grove: Conversations, History & Facts
Virtual EventJoin this virtual exploration of Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, one of the area’s most well-known cemeteries.
Free • Registration Required -
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. While supplies last. Costumes encouraged!
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Nation of Nations
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Trailside is hosting an exhibit celebrating tribal diversity of contemporary Indigenous Communities whose ancestral homelands are the Great […]
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The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. While supplies last. Costumes encouraged!
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Día de los Muertos Craft
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Decorate a sugar skull to celebrate Day of the Dead. While supplies last.
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Native American Heritage Month History Walk
Sauk Trail Woods-Central • South Chicago Heights, IL 60411Learn the origin of the name Sauk Woods. 3.4-mi.
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Stars, Stories & S’mores
FeaturedLaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630Listen to stories, take a night hike, make s’mores and more. Presented with the American Indian Health Services Center. Grove 2.
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Pride Night
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Enjoy an evening at the nature center with s’mores around the campfire. This is a welcoming event for LGBTQ2S+ individuals and allies to connect, unwind, […]
Free • Registration Required -
Nature Story Trail “Giving Thanks” by Chief Jake Swamp
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail while reading a story.
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Gratitude Gathering
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473A reflective event on gratitude, sharing cultural teachings about thankfulness. Presented with the American Indian Center.
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Calumet Heritage Day
FeaturedSand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Explore the Calumet Region’s heritage with guided walks, historic skill demos, and programs celebrating native flora and fauna.
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Fossil Quarry Tour
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Learn about fossils of the Chicago region from geologist, Dave Dolak, followed by a 1.5-mile walk to visit Sagawau’s fossil quarry.
Free • Registration Required -
Sacred Clay Workshop: The Tradition and Protection of African American Face Jugs
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473This workshop will explore the history, cultural significance and ecological knowledge embedded in the African American tradition of face jugs. Originating from African ceramic practices […]
Free • Registration Required -
Qigong and Urban Stargazing
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Start with grounding Qigong, followed by celestial viewing at an Urban Night Sky Place.
Free • Registration Required -
Plants in the Military
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate Veterans Day by learning how plants were used in the military.
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America 250: Americana Folk Art
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Learn how to carve a linoleum block and learn about Americana folk art. Materials provided. Ages 12 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Autumn Stories in Chinese
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480The Naperville Chinese Storytellers share stories and activities. All ages; under 18 w/ adult.
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Stars, Stories, and S’mores
FeaturedDan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Bring your family and friends to enjoy a night under the stars. Participants can explore the night sky through a telescope and other interactive experiences, […]
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Dark Sky Gratitude Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Stroll beneath the dark sky and offer gratitude to Mother Nature for this beautiful experience. 2-mile hike
Free • Registration Required -
America 250: Americana Folk Art
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Learn about Americana folk art, then how to carve a linoleum block. Materials provided. Ages 12 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Photography Walk
Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Enjoy a guided walk to photograph and view nature. For all levels and camera types.
Free
