Southwest Cook County Events

Southwest Cook County

Events

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  • a family exploring the trails at Crabtree Nature Center

    Magical Forest Houses

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Search for tiny, enchanted, homes built by mythical elves. These homes, built with natural materials, are hidden along our Farm Pond Trail. Scan the QR […]

    Free
  • A person paddling in the water using an adaptive kayak.

    Adaptive Kayaking – Experience and Skill Development

    Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Participants experience a safe, supportive introduction to adaptive kayaking, using specialized equipment and guided instruction to build confidence, independence, and connection on the water.

    Free
  • 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
  • A great blue heron at Saganashkee Slough. Photo by Bill Grabinski.

    Landscape Needle Felting

    Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

    Explore the beauty of our natural landscape using natural fibers. Supplies provided. Ages 12 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A person taking a photograph with a large camera lens outdoors.

    Hummingbird Photography Workshop

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Join nature photographer, Jim Vincent to learn how and when to take amazing pictures of hummingbirds using your camera and cell phone. The indoor presentation […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • 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
  • A close-up of the bird banding process.

    Bird Banding

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

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

    Free
  • view of Maple Lake at night with stars in the sky and reflecting on the water

    Canceled Adult Night Hike

    Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

    BYOB (no glass) and enjoy the night sky before taking part in a guided hike. Ages 21 & up. 1.5 miles.

    Free
  • A group of people hiking in a forest with a backdrop of fall colors.

    Walk & Talk: Oak Forest Heritage Preserve

    Walk & Talk
    Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-East • Oak Forest, IL 60452

    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
  • 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 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
  • Astrology photograph highlighting the night sky filled with stars.

    Palos Night Sky Picnic

    Featured
    Pioneer Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

    Join us for the 3rd Annual Palos Night Sky Picnic! Explore the Palos Preserves at night, nestled within the largest Urban Night Sky Place. Bring your […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A person birding outdoors in the fall.

    Birding Across Habitats

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Naturalist-led hike searching for birds in woodlands, prairies and wetlands. All birding levels welcome. Binoculars available for loan.

    Free
  • A group of people birding outdoors.

    Prairie Birding

    Orland Grassland South • Cook County, IL 60467 (near Orland Park)
    Free
  • inside the exhibit area of Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center's visitors center

    Feeding Time

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Learn about the diets of our ambassador animals, their habitats and observe a feeding demonstration.

    Free
  • A monarch butterfly.

    Monarchs

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Learn how monarchs make their journey to Mexico during a presentation, followed by a hike.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Two people birding with binoculars in hand.

    Bird Walk

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

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

    Free • Registration Required
  • Two people paddling in a large body of water.

    Birding by Kayak

    Bird Walk
    Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)

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

    $30 • Registration Required
  • A close-up of the bird banding process.

    Bird Banding

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

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

    Free
  • A women reading a book aloud at a nature center event.

    Yoga and Storytime

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join the Bridgeview Library for a short nature story followed by kid's yoga activities. Ages 3-6 w/adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • a person using string, nails and a slice of tree trunk to make art at Rolling Knolls Pavilion

    Nature’s Art Box

    Nature’s Art Box
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Explore the wild side of creativity! Kids ages 3–6 with an adult can enjoy hands-on nature-inspired art and activities. Supplies provided.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Banner image for "Party for the Preserves" featuring the heading "National Public Lands Day."

    Ecological Restoration Weekend

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Help restore Sagawau’s diverse ecosystems by removing invasive plant species.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Yoga

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Bring a yoga mat/towel. Ages 18 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Banner image for "Party for the Preserves" featuring the heading "National Public Lands Day."

    Party for the Preserves

    Featured
    Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Celebrate 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
  • A close-up of the bird banding process.

    Bird Banding

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

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

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

    Music in Nature

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Migration 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • A group of people working together to start a campfire.

    Camping 101

    Camping 101
    Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Learn basic skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more!

    Free