Southwest Cook County Events

Southwest Cook County

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  • An adult and child gazing upon the fall colors in a forest.

    Sounds Like Fall

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Take your little one on a playful, music-filled nature walk. Ages 3-6 w/ adult.

    Free
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Beautiful Sounds at Sunset

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Spend time outdoors with the sounds of nature and soothing instruments around a fire with certified instructor Gail. Bring a cushion. Ages 18 & up.

    Free • Registration Required

  • Two people birding with binoculars in hand.

    Bird Walk

    Bird Walk
    McGinnis Slough • Orland Park, IL 60462

    Join a naturalist as we look for local birds. A limited supply of binoculars available for loan at select events.

    Free
  • A close-up of activities at a native seed collection volunteer event.

    Roving Seed-Collecting Team

    Tuma Lake • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

    Join the roving seed-collecting team! You’ll explore different preserves, learn to identify native plants and make a direct impact on habitat restoration efforts. No experience […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A person interacting with an indoor rock climbing wall.

    Canceled Fall Open Climb

    Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452

    Scale the indoor climbing wall! Participants must be over 40lbs. Adult supervision and waivers required. Accessible climbing equipment available.

    Free
  • A large tree displaying vivid fall colors.

    Fall in Focus

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Bring a camera or phone and join a guided photography hike. Ages 10 & up.

    Free
  • a squirrel climbing a tree trunk

    Nuts About Nature

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Explore the grounds to find native nuts and learn how animals use them for food and survival.sq

    Free
  • Bridge and trail at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center. Photo by Christine Karge Dewey.

    Listening to Nature

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    W. 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
  • A forested trail displaying fall colors.

    Red Gate Woods: The Dawning of the Atomic Age

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Learn 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
  • An adult and child gazing upon the fall colors in a forest.

    Sounds Like Fall

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Take your little one on a playful, music-filled nature walk. Ages 3-6 w/ adult.

    Free
  • An adult and child gazing upon the fall colors in a forest.

    Sounds Like Fall

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Take your little one on a playful, music-filled nature walk. Ages 3-6 w/ adult.

    Free
  • two runners on the Sag Valley Trail at Swallow Cliff Woods

    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
  • A group of people walking along a forested trail.

    S.E.N.I.O.R.S.

    S.E.N.I.O.R.S.
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Seniors 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
  • A group of people participating in an event outdoors on a trail.

    Fridays in the Field

    Fridays in the Field at Little Red
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities when the buildings are closed.

    Free
  • A group walking along an outdoor unpaved trail.

    Underground Railroad Tour

    John Husar I&M Canal Bicycle Trail Parking Lot • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Tour 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
  • a group of volunteers at Wampum Lake. Photo by Xochitl Lopez.

    R.I.P. Stewardship

    R.I.P. Stewardship
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Help us restore native habitats - Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves & snack provided. Closed toed shoes & long pants encouraged. […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • The visitors center at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

    Tea-time

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Sample a variety of herbal tea blends paired with local honeys. Ages 13 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • kids inspect an insect in someone's hand

    Invertebrate Investigation

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Search for insects and arthropods who call tallgrass prairies home.

    Free
  • A group of people standing near a body of water during sunrise along a forested trail.

    Sunrise Hike

    Sunrise Hike
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Step 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 60439

    Observe bird banding and talk with banders. Drop-in.

    Free
  • Children at a Hispanic Heritage event.

    Hispanic Heritage Celebration

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Celebrate 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
  • A cluster of mushrooms in a forest.

    Fall Fungi

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Short naturalist-led hike to look for local species of fungi. Ages 18 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • An adult and child creating art in an outdoor setting.

    Eco-Print Dyeing Workshop

    Palos Park Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)

    Create an eco-print with fall leaves and learn how to make your own mini plant press.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Fall into Sounds & Nature

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join certified instructor Gail for a peaceful walk, where soothing sounds guide you along the trail. Ages 18 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • inside the exhibit area of Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center's visitors center

    Everyone in Nature

    Everyone in Nature
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join 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