History & Culture
Events
-
-
Juneteenth Freedom Ride
FeaturedDan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Join this 16-mile cycling celebration with Major Taylor Trail Keepers and local bike clubs. BYO-bike and helmet.
Free -
American Indian Summer Solstice
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634Celebrate the solstice with dancing, drumming, storytelling and a sun-themed art activity. Presented by American Indian Center of Chicago. Grove 13.
Free -
Juneteenth Jubilee
FeaturedSand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate freedom, family and country with activities, refreshments and performances highlighting Black history. Juneteenth Jubilee transforms the Sand Ridge Nature Center Campus into a vibrant […]
Free -
America’s Original Wildlife
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439As part of America 250, learn how iconic species helped shape America’s landscapes, ecosystems and culture. Ages 13 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Nature’s Fireworks
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010As part of America 250, catch and learn about the glowing insects of twilight on a casual guided stroll.
Free • Registration Required -
Freedom Trail: Paddle Tour
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Join us on 10-person voyager canoes for a fascinating tale of the hundreds -perhaps thousands- of escaped slaves / "Freedom Seekers" that came through this […]
Free • Registration Required -
-
Disability Pride Month Trail Exhibit
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Learn about environmentalists with disabilities and celebrate the important work being done around the world.
Free -
Feel Free Self-Guided Reflection Hike
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646As part of America 250, explore freedom and resilience in nature while celebrating Independence Day through guided reflection prompts.
Free -
Prairie Fireworks
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439As part of America 250, follow signs for a self-guided hike to learn about prairie influence on history, culture and its explosion of colorful flowers.
Free -
Red, White & Black
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473As part of America 250, join us for a walk and presentation to search for local woodpeckers and learn about their amazing traits.
Free • Registration Required -
Freedom in Nature Self-Guided Reflection Hike
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473As part of America 250, explore freedom and resilience in nature while celebrating Independence Day through guided reflection prompts along the trail.
Free -
Red, White and Whooo
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062As part of America 250, join us for an up-close look at one of our owls on our national holiday.
Free -
Red, White & Blue Nature Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305As part of America 250, join a naturalist for a guided hike on our trails and look for our nation’s flag colors in nature.
Free • Registration Required -
Red, White and Whooo
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062As part of America 250, join us for an up-close look at one of our owls on our national holiday.
Free -
Children’s Storytime
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305As part of America 250, listen to a children’s book read aloud, followed by an activity. An ASL interpreter will be present.
Free -
Flickering Fireflies
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480As part of America 250: See fireflies, nature's fireworks, glow in the dark before a 1-mile adventure to catch and release these incredible creatures.
Free • Registration Required -
Field Biology
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Spend time outdoors in the Forest Preserves and earn professional development hours during this series of educational events, held from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. […]
-
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 -
Canceled 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.
Free -
Summer Nature Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Learn the significance of summer in Native American culture while participating in various activities. Presented by Trickster Cultural Center.
Free • Registration Required -
Indigenous Games & Activities
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634Join the American Indian Center of Chicago for traditional Indigenous games and activities. Grove 13.
Free -
Movie Night
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Come watch the (local) Emmy Award-winning Forest Preserves documentary: "Chicago's True Nature". Popcorn and s'mores provided.
Free -
-
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.
Free -
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.
Free
