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  • A group of people walking down a forested pathway in the distance.

    Junior Naturalist Walk

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Earn a Junior Naturalist badge by taking a short walk, then doing an indoor activity book. Ages 6-12 w/ caregiver.

    Free
  • red banded leafhopper on a leaf

    Insect Investigation

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Join a naturalist as we investigate this fascinating group of organisms.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A honey bee perched atop a flower.

    The Buzz on Bees

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Visit our beehives and meet the beekeepers to learn about bees, pollination and honey.

    Free
  • A musician playing a guitar outdoors.

    Little Red Rocks

    Little Red Rocks
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Share or enjoy music and poetry as the sun sets during our open-mic night.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A heron standing in the water.

    Sulky Bird Count

    Sulky Bird Count
    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join a naturalist as we explore this preserve while looking for local birds. A limited supply of binoculars available for loan at select events. All levels […]

    Free
  • 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 group of people walking along a forested trail.

    Walk & Talk

    Walk & Talk
    Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

    Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be […]

    Free
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Digital Detox in the Garden

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

    Learn how plants can help us disconnect from our devices. Led by Wandering Paths Founder and flower farmer Navraaz Kaur Basati.

    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 playing a keyboard piano.

    Twilight Creations: Open Art Space

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Musicians, poets and visual artists find inspiration during the twilight hours indoors or outdoors.

    Free
  • A person with a camera in a forest.

    Sunset Photography Meetup

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join nature photographers for a guided walk to explore the grounds and capture nature in the fading light of dusk.

    Free • Registration Required
  • The visitors center at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

    Partial Eclipse of the Moon

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Bring a chair and experience a breathtaking partial total lunar eclipse as it slowly transforms the night sky.

    Free • Registration Required
  • A set of weaving materials and tools.

    Nature Weaving Workshop for Seniors

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join local artist Phyllis Frick in exploring weaving with natural vegetation, seeds and more. Materials provided.

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

    Night of Nature Play

    Featured
    Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617

    Experience nature at night through open play, star gazing and s’mores.

    Free
  • A person kayaking.

    Kayak the Salt Creek Water Trail

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

    Kayak 9 miles from Bemis Woods to Plank Road Meadow. Equipment and shuttle provided. Experience required.

    Free • Registration Closed
  • looking up at a large bur oak tree

    Canceled Walk & Talk: Champion Tree Hike

    Walk & Talk
    Wolf Road Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

    Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be […]

    Free
  • Bridge and trail at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center. Photo by Christine Karge Dewey.

    Canceled Listening to Nature

    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Rescheduled for October 3, 2026: https://fpdcc.com/event/listening-to-nature-2/ W. Long will lead us in an exploration of the soundscape via the trails of the Sagawau Environmental Learning […]

    Free
  • A Forest Preserves staff member sharing migratory bird information with visitors.

    Meet the Birds

    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Stop by to see our birds at mealtime.

    Free
  • A family looks at an ambassador animal exhibit

    “Bone” Appetit

    “Bone” Appétit
    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join us at feeding time as we give our outdoor Ambassador Animals their dinner.

    Free