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a group playing a yard game at Thatcher Woods
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Spring Break-OUT Adventure

Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305

Enjoy time out of school with activities including archery, nature play, hikes, art, and other fun. Drop-in.

a metal statue at Chicago Portage National Historic Site

Canceled Walk and Talk: Chicago Portage National Historic Site

Chicago Portage National Historic Site • Lyons, IL 60402

Walk & Talk hikes are for curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These hikes will be led at a slower pace with frequent stopping and interpretation. 1 mile.

a woodcock on the forest floor

Woodcock Walk at Wolf Road Prairie

Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)

Witness the amazing spring courtship flight of the male woodcock bird.

2nd Annual Trash Bash

Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)

Get inspired to do some spring cleaning at home, and we'll help keep the things you no longer need out of the landfill! You can also take part in a volunteer cleanup effort with your friends and family and put litter in its place. Bags, gloves and trash grabbers will be provided. Enjoy green giveaways […]

four people holding musical instruments inside Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion

Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam

Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305

Make a simple musical instrument or bring your own and join the jam!

Solar Eclipse Viewing

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Learn about a partial solar eclipse and view the eclipse through a special solar telescope and eclipse glasses  (weather permitting). 

Fitness Hike

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

Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster paced with little to no stopping or interpretation. 5 miles.

a volunteer picking up trash near a pond in the forest preserves

Teen Exploration Day: Service-Learning Hours

Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634

High school students: learn why it’s important to keep natural spaces free of trash. Help pick up litter and earn community service hours for school. Ages 14-19. Grove 9.

Trailside Museum naturalist holding an owl

Bone Appetit in Spanish

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Únase a nosotros durante la hora de comer para aprender sobre los animales embajadores de Trailside. Sin  registracion necessario. 

Creative Sustainability Workshop

Possum Hollow Woods • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)

Make chemical-free cleaning supplies, lavender pouches, and native seed bombs. Ages 10 & up.

a group of volunteers standing around the trash they collected from the forest preserves
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Earth Day Cleanup

Jerome Huppert Woods • River Grove, IL 60171

Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter in the Preserves. Supplies provided for check out.

an Earth Day banner at Sand Ridge Nature Center

Celebrate Earth Day Activities

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Plant a tree, make your own bird feeder, pick up litter, and more. Family program.

People setting up two tents during a CLIC training at Camp Sullivan.

Day Hiking Leadership Training

Bemis Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60523 (near Oak Brook)

Calling all teachers, group leaders & youth educators! Our Day Hiking Leadership Training program gets youth and groups of all ages outside by empowering teachers and group leaders with the skills and resources they need to lead safe and fun outdoor experiences. We will focus on: Thoughtful trip planning Risk management practices Memorable outdoor activities […]

a group of volunteers standing around the trash they collected from the forest preserves
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Earth Day Cleanup

Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)

Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter in the Preserves. Supplies provided for check out. Grove 6.

Nature Book Club: “An Immense World” by Ed Yong

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Join a lively discussion of this book about animal senses. In partnership with Forest Park Public Library. Ages 18  & up.  

spring beauty wildflower

Spring Ephemerals Walk

Sundown Meadow • Countryside, IL 60525

Guided walk to see colorful wildflowers. Ages 18 & up.

two children playing on logs at Trailside Museum of Natural History
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Spring Festival

Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

Enjoy interactive programs, kids’ tree climb, guided wildflower walks, bird banding, kid’s nature crafts, gardening info and much more!

“Endangered Orchids” Art Display Opening

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Meet and chat with noted botanical artist Kathleen Marie Garness and view her recent large drawings of endangered local orchids, on display at Trailside Museum. Enjoy snacks and discuss art, natural areas stewardship and botany!

two Forest Preserves staff members demonstrating print making techniques at Sand Ridge Nature Center

Printmaking Workshop

Evans Field • River Grove, IL 60171

Learn basic printmaking techniques using natural materials. Supplies provided. Bring items you wish to decorate.

a volunteer removing garlic mustard, invasive species, at McClaughrey Springs Woods

Teen Exploration Day: Volunteer Day

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Help remove invasive garlic mustard. Supplies provided. Earn Service-Learning hours. Ages 15 & up.

a family hiking at Trailside Museum

Spring Nature Walk

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305
three children building a fort out of logs

Nature Play Day

Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)

Help connect your little one with nature during open nature play time. Grove 7.