Southwest Cook County
Events
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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 -
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 […]
Free -
Canceled Fall Open Climb
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452Scale the indoor climbing wall! Participants must be over 40lbs. Adult supervision and waivers required. Accessible climbing equipment available.
Free -
Fridays in the Field
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists will connect visitors with nature through inquiry-based activities when the buildings are closed.
Free -
Palos Night Sky Picnic
FeaturedPioneer 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 -
Birding Across Habitats
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Naturalist-led hike searching for birds in woodlands, prairies and wetlands. All birding levels welcome. Binoculars available for loan.
Free -
Prairie Birding
Orland Grassland South • Cook County, IL 60467 (near Orland Park)Free -
Feeding Time
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn about the diets of our ambassador animals, their habitats and observe a feeding demonstration.
Free -
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 -
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Birding by Kayak
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 -
Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Observe bird banding and talk with banders. Drop-in.
Free -
Yoga and Storytime
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join the Bridgeview Library for a short nature story followed by kid's yoga activities. Ages 3-6 w/adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Explore 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 -
Ecological Restoration Weekend
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Help restore Sagawau’s diverse ecosystems by removing invasive plant species.
Free • Registration Required -
Yoga
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Bring a yoga mat/towel. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
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 -
Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Observe bird banding and talk with banders. Drop-in.
Free -
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 -
Sounds Like Fall
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Take your little one on a playful, music-filled nature walk. Ages 3-6 w/ adult.
Free -
Sounds Like Fall
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Take your little one on a playful, music-filled nature walk. Ages 3-6 w/ adult.
Free -
Beautiful Sounds at Sunset
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Spend 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 -
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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
