Events
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Magical Forest Houses
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Search for tiny, enchanted, homes built by mythical elves. These homes, built with natural materials, are hidden along our Farm Pond Trail. Scan the QR […]
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Sacred Wanderings in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join Unity Temple of Oak Park as we practice connecting with nature. People with physical challenges are easily accommodated. For info, email [email protected].
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Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Observe bird banding and talk with banders. Drop-in.
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Restoration Workday
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Help us restore healthy habitats. Ages 8 & up. Children under 15 w/ adult. High schoolers may earn service hours.
Free • Registration Required -
Fall Color Walk
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062View the spectacular fall colors while enjoying a casual walk in the woods.
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Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making decorative sugar skulls. Vibrantly colored sugar skulls represent the circle of life and are ornamental gifts for friends and […]
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Fall Fungi
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Short naturalist-led hike to look for local species of fungi. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
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 -
Fall Color Walk
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062View the spectacular fall colors while enjoying a casual walk in the woods.
Free -
Weaving with Weeds: Cattail Mat
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the history of basketry/weaving techniques and create a small project with a common invasive plant. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
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Ofrendas Sagradas: Una Ofrenda del Día de Muertos
FeaturedTrailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Visita nuestra ofrenda tradicional en exhibición del 12 de octubre al 2 de noviembre, honrando a los ancestros a través de ofrendas, símbolos y la […]
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Entre Mundos: Una Celebración del Día de Muertos
FeaturedTrailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Conmemora el Día de Muertos con danzantes aztecas, explorando el significado de los altares, las tradiciones espirituales y la profunda importancia de honrar a los […]
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Tuesday Mornings are for the Birds!
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Observe fall migrants visiting Sand Ridge during their journey south for winter.
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Little Sprouts Sound Lab
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore nature through sensory activities, outdoor listening and sound‑making. Ages 2-6 w/ adult. Siblings welcome.
Free • Registration Required -
Fall into Sounds & Nature
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join certified instructor Gail for a peaceful walk, where soothing sounds guide you along the trail. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Wildlife Connections
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy. All ages.
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Yoga in the Preserves
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Weekly yoga class for all ages and skill levels. Led by Kim Weber of Be Lightfooted.
Free • Registration Required -
Walk & Talk: History of Poplar Creek
Carl R. Hansen Woods • Cook County, IL 60192 (near Schaumburg)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be […]
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Wee Wonders: Owls
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Everyone in Nature
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join 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 -
Fall Color Walks
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an afternoon stroll.
Free -
Camping 101
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn basic skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more!
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Indigenous Scary Storytelling
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy listening to traditional and contemporary supernatural stories shared by the American Indian Center.
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Owl Prowl
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls.
Free • Registration Required -
Fall Artisan Series: Felting
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select Wednesday evenings. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Forest Preserves of Cook County Research Symposium
Brookfield Zoo Chicago • Brookfield, IL 60513This event is for everyone interested in research at the Forest Preserves to share knowledge, activities and opportunities for future research to foster relationships and […]
$25 • Registration Required -
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Nature Thursdays ‘Skeletons from Trailside’s Collections’ Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun themed activities for all ages. Led by University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists.
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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 • Registration Required -
Outdoor Skills Workshop
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Develop or master knot tying, tents, fire building and more. Presented with Chicago Voyagers.
Free • Registration Required -
Sunset Photography Meetup
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join Crabtree Nature Photographers’ Meetup Group for a guided sunset walk and capture nature in the fading light.
Free • Registration Required -
Nature Book Club: “Backyard Bird Chronicles”
Forest Park Public Library • Forest Park, IL 60130Join a lively book discussion about “Backyard Bird Chronicles” by Amy Tan.
Free • Registration Required -
Night of Nature Play
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Scavenger hunt, games and crafts under the glowing night (black) lights.
Free -
Spooky Shuffle 5k/10k
Swallow Cliff Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Race through then pristine Sag Valley Trail System. Presented with Village of Palos Park.
Free • Registration Required -
Hike the Freedom Trail: Bus and Walking Tour
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Follow the tale of Freedom Seekers through the Calumet Region. Presented with Midwest Underground Railroad Network.
Free • Registration Required -
Animal Enrichment Studio for Teens
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Create enrichment items for our ambassador animals, then see how they are used as an important part of their care.
Free -
REACH Nature Navigators
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646A high-energy outdoor adventure guiding visitors through a Leave No Trace scavenger hunt, shelter building and backpack challenges, wilderness first aid demos, river critter investigations, […]
Free • Registration Required -
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Seed Collecting at Wolf Road Prairie
Wolf Road Prairie • Cook County, IL 60154 (near Westchester)Join us for a prairie seed collecting workday and learn about history of remnant prairie. Ages 8 & up. Ages 15 & under w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
America’s Landscapes: The Palos Preserves
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Learn the geological story of the hilly landscape and some of its special land formations. Oral and ASL presentation.
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Oak-tober Fall Colors Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Enjoy seasonal color changes and learn about our native oaks. Ages 12 & up.
Free • Registration Required
