Bird Painting Workshop Step-by-Step: Dark-eyed Junco
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint a 9x12 canvas of a dark-eyed junco using acrylic paints. Ages 13 & up
$5
Events
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Bird and Bagel Bird Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305We’ll observe bird feeder action while noshing on bagels and coffee inside the Museum, then head outdoors for a guided […]
Freeze Frames
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Use your camera to observe nature on a guided photography walk. All levels and camera types. Ages 13 & up.
Walk & Talk
Oak Forest Heritage Preserve-East • Oak Forest, IL 60452For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]
Fitness Hike
Sauk Trail Woods-Central • South Chicago Heights, IL 60411Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster-paced with little to no […]
Restoration and S’mores
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Help staff remove invasive plants through a brush pile burn and treat yourself to s’mores. Ages 10 & up.
Skier 101
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Come with all your cross-country ski questions! Find your answers by attending this crash course before hitting the snow. Weather […]
Salamanders
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an indoor presentation as we investigate amazing and unique salamanders and their importance in local ecosystems. Ages 12 & up.
A “Winters” Night
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us for a guided walk in the dark woods and learn about nocturnal animals.
$3
Coffee and Feeders
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Bring your favorite coffee with you and enjoy watching the bird feeders from inside our newly renovated exhibit room.
Winter Tree ID
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join a naturalist as we discover several ways to identify trees in winter. Ages 18 & up. Weather dependent.
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 […]
Winter Workshop-Woodworking
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Repurpose the common European buckthorn into something new. Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up.
Be a Better Birder: Getting Started
Zoom PresentationThis program is great for beginners who want to learn about building a birding kit, techniques and finding resources.
Full Moon Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover Crabtree at night by the light of the Wolf Moon. Ages 8 & up.
Story Trail: “Over and Under the Snow” Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail and read the posted story, then pick up a craft and activity bag.
Woodburning & Watercolors
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Be inspired by the winter landscape and create pieces of art using woodburning or pyrography techniques and watercolor paints. BYOB. […]
Birds and Bagels
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Start your morning with birds and bagels! Enjoy a treat while observing local birds at our feeders. Bagels, light refreshments […]
All About Fire
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in to learn safe practices for fire building and containment, make fire-inspired art, build your own fire and roast […]
Feeding Frenzy
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn what, why and how staff feed the great diversity of birds, fishes, reptiles and amphibians at the nature center.
Walk with a Steward
Schiller Woods-West • Schiller Park, IL 60634Learn about ecological gems and the restoration process with volunteer site steward, Cathy Bloom. Ages 18 & up. Grove 6.
Crabtree Hygge
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the Danish tradition of coziness with hot chocolate and nature books.
Insects in Winter
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Search our trails for the mighty snow flea and learn about other winter insects.
Accessibility Trail Outing
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Walk with us on a short, 1.7-mile looped and paved trail with resting points throughout. Walk designed for people using […]
Groundhog Weekend
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Will Sagawau Sam see his shadow on the ski trails this year? Ski by our outdoor exhibit to learn about […]
Black History Month Exhibit
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Learn about African-American skiers and the challenges faced in winter sports.
Prehistoric Play Day
Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center • Chicago, IL 60646Learn about the amazing world of Ice Age Illinois through a series of family-oriented games and activities. Ages 5 & […]
Life in the Snow
Pulaski Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Join a naturalist and explore the forest. We’ll investigate animal tracks, identify deciduous trees and observe the winter birds. Grove […]
Winter Whereabouts
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Learn how different native animals survive during the colder winter months.
Winter Art Workshop: Phone-tography 101
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Enjoy a morning in the Preserves and learn the basics of photography using a smartphone.
Event Locations
Nearly all Forest Preserves events are free; some require registration and/or a low fee. Residents may qualify for free admission opportunities at our partners: Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Event Categories
- All Events
- Adaptive
- Animal Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Storytelling
- Volunteer
- Wellness in the Woods
- Yoga
Events Guide
Printed copies of our quarterly Events Guide are available at our Nature Centers and General Headquarters. They may also be available at your local city hall or library. Know a location that should have our Events Guide? Contact us.
Events Guide (PDF)Nature Express Bus
Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreMonthly Newsletter
Sign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
Sign UpEvent Accessibility
The Forest Preserves is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Nature Center hosting your event or program 72 hours in advance to request reasonable accommodations or inquire about site accessibility.
Please contact Experience.Nature@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1573 about accommodations for specific camping and outdoor recreation activities.