Events

Events

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  • children roasting marshmallows at Trailside Museum

    Forest Tales & Mysteries

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Listen to thrilling horror tales around the bonfire with La Grange Park Library and Gail’s soothing sound therapy. Ages 13 & up.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A cicada perching atop a flower.

    Cicada Pinning Class

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Learn the process and importance of entomology: what it is, why it's important, and how it's done. This class will teach students the process of […]

    $5 • Registration Required
  • A handful of trees showcasing fall color changes.

    Nurtured by Nature Training Summit

    Skokie Public Library • Skokie, IL 60077

    The Forest Preserves of Cook County wants to address how being in nature can positively impact mental health, raise awareness for using public lands, and […]

  • 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
  • A person in the field during a restoration event with a saw.

    Restoration Workday

    Restoration Workdays at Crabtree
    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Help us restore healthy habitats. Ages 8 & up. Children under 15 w/ adult. High schoolers may earn service hours.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A person in a kayak outdoors.

    Fall Colors Paddle

    Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827

    Enjoy stunning fall foliage while paddling through scenic waters at Kickapoo; experience the changing season from the water’s view. In partnership with Friends of the Chicago […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children wearing Halloween costumes outdoors.

    Spooky Stories & S ’mores

    Featured
    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Trick-or-treat, paint a pumpkin, listen to spooky stories and more. Costumes encouraged! Presented with the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library.

    Free
  • a great horned owl in a tree at Crabtree Nature Center

    Birding is Accessible: Owl Edition

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Slow-paced accessible stroll to search for owls.

    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
  • a person cutting buckthorn with loppers at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

    Restoration Sunday

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Help us improve our wildlife habitat by cutting and removing invasive species. Ages 8 & up. Ages 15 & under w/ adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • hikers at River Trail Nature Center in fall

    The Un-Haunted Forest

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Children under 10 w/ adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children interacting with nature at an event in a forest.

    Oak-tober

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Join us for a hike to celebrate Oak Awareness Month.

    Free
  • A pumpkin in the forest.

    Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Self-guided search for hidden pumpkins on the trail. Costumes encouraged.

    Free
  • S'mores over an open campfire.

    Chicago Voyagers’ Fall Jamboree

    Weekly Wellness Programming
    Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646

    Join us for an immersive, family-oriented outdoor event that recreates the spirit of a Chicago Voyagers expedition. Learn new skills like knot tying or low […]

    Free – $25 • Registration Required
  • Children at a Trunk or Treat event for Halloween.

    Trunk or Treat

    Featured
    Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617

    Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event, complete with candy!

    Free
  • A forested landscape displaying fall colors.

    Forest Therapy

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Join us for a guided, meditative walk to connect back to nature and to ourselves. Led by an Illinois Master Naturalist. Ages 18 & up. […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • people entering the Sand Ridge Nature Center building in South Holland

    Cornhusk Doll and Storytelling Workshop

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    This workshop will be centered on Indigenous teachings related to land and connection. Participants will engage in creating corn husk dolls and experience traditional storytelling.

    Free • Registration Required
  • hikers at River Trail Nature Center in fall

    The Un-Haunted Forest

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Children under 10 w/ adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children wearing Halloween costumes outdoors.

    Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Wear your costume while walking through our autumn woods while finding hidden (nut-free) treats.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of individuals outdoors during an adaptive cycling demonstration.

    Share the Trails: Cycling Pit Stop

    LaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630

    Get your helmet fit, tires inflated, bike checked and learn about trail safety. Presented with Ride Illinois. Grove 4.

    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 telescope photo of a full moon taken from the Palos Preserves.

    Women’s Night Out: Full Moon Empowerment

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    An evening designed to empower, connect and inspire us. Led by certified forest therapy guide Gayle Byck. Cost: $10/person. Ages 18 & up.

    $10 • Registration Required
  • Participants from Misericordia - Heart of Mercy engage in an informative and interactive session that showcases a variety of animals native to Cook County.

    Wildlife Connections

    Wildlife Connections
    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy. All ages.

    Free
  • A musician playing a guitar outdoors.

    Little Red Rocks

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Perform or listen to music and poetry during open-mic night.

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

    Fall Color Walks

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join us for an afternoon stroll.

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

    Hike, Read & Write

    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join a naturalist for a hike, followed by a poetry writing workshop. Presented with Poets & Patrons.

    Free
  • a great horned owl in a tree at Crabtree Nature Center

    Owl Prowl

    Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617

    Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls.

    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
  • A person interacting with an indoor rock climbing wall.

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

    Cheers to Nature

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

    Enjoy a relaxing evening with an environment-themed lecture from a naturalist. Accessible building. BYOB. Ages 21 & up.

    Free
  • A night landscape with a full moon shining amongst an indigo sky.

    Night at the Museum

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Step into the shadows for eerie animal encounters, exploration of the 1876 mansion, live musical performances, and the strange wonders lurking in the night woods. […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • children roasting marshmallows at Trailside Museum

    Owl-oween Bash

    Featured
    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Jack-o’-lantern walk, campfire stories and festive fun. Costumes encouraged.

    Free • Registration Required
  • a volunteer carrying cut brush

    Ecological Restoration Weekend

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

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

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children at a pumpkin hunt

    The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. While supplies last. Costumes encouraged!

    Free

  • An array of flags on display outdoors.

    Nation of Nations

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Trailside is hosting an exhibit celebrating tribal diversity of contemporary Indigenous Communities whose ancestral homelands are the Great […]

    Free
  • Children at a pumpkin hunt

    The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt

    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. While supplies last. Costumes encouraged!

    Free
  • a painting of a northern cardinal

    Nature Journaling

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Express yourself and the world around you! Learn how to create a nature journal with an art instructor.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A person at a Day of the Dead event.

    Día de los Muertos Craft

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Decorate a sugar skull to celebrate Day of the Dead. While supplies last.

    Free