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  • a group of volunteers at Wampum Lake. Photo by Xochitl Lopez.

    R.I.P. Stewardship

    R.I.P. Stewardship
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Help us restore native habitats - Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves & snack provided. Closed toed shoes & long pants […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people near a body of water with a fishing pole.

    Kids’ Fest

    Featured
    Wampum Lake • Cook County, IL 60476 (near Thornton)

    Get ready to embrace the beauty of summer, the great outdoors and the wonders of nature at Kids' Fest 2026! This exciting festival is the […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • Wellness in the Woods logo

    Nature Wellness Walk

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Learn techniques for using relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices while on a leisurely walk led by University of Illinois-Extension volunteer, Roberta Jannsen. Ages 18 & […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A group of people walking along a forested trail.

    Walk & Talk

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

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

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

    Summer Stargazing

    Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473

    Take a short walk and learn how to read a sky map and identify summer constellations.

    Free • Registration Closed
  • A group of people standing near a body of water during sunrise along a forested trail.

    Sunrise Hike

    Sunrise Hike
    Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

    Step into the quiet stillness of early morning and join us for a before-hours hike to witness the beauty of a new day. Gates and […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • Two people standing on the edge of a body of water with binoculars.

    Morning Bird Walk

    Bird Walk
    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    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 • Registration Required
  • children dipping nets in a pond at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

    Pond Dip

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Discover what tiny critters are living in the pond in this hands-on science program. Ages 5 & up.

    Free
  • Two people in the water with a kayak.

    Intro to Kayaking Class

    Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

    Learn basic skills for beginner kayakers. Equipment provided.

    Free • Registration Closed
  • A close-up shot of a bee perched on top of a flower.

    Wee Wonders: Pollinators

    Wee Wonders
    Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

    Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.

    Free • Registration Required
  • kids inspect an insect in someone's hand

    Bug-a-Palooza

    River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062

    Learn about the amazing diversity of insects as we catch and release them.

    Free
  • a group of people standing in a prairie

    Field Biology

    Teacher Workshops at Sagawau
    Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

    Spend time outdoors in the Forest Preserves and earn professional development hours during this series of educational events, held from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. […]

  • A group gathered outdoors for a storytelling program.

    Story Time in Polish

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Program dla najmłodszych miłośników natury. Z pomocą znanych i lubianych wierszyków poznamy owady, ptaki i inne zwierzęta i poszukamy ich w lesie.

    Free • 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
  • An animal ambassador owl pictured in its enclosure.

    Animal Enrichment Studio

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join us for an ADA-accessible event where you’ll create new items for our ambassador animals and then watch how enrichment is used as an important […]

    Free • Registration Required
  • A grassy trail stretching across a prairie lined with trees.

    Morning Prairie Walk

    Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

    Join us for a hike around Phantom Prairie. Ages 12 & up.

    Free
  • A group of people walking along a forested trail.

    Senior Fitness Walk

    Senior Fitness Walk
    Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join other seniors for a gentle, moderately paced 1-mile walk. Led by Roberta Jannsen, University of Illinois Extension volunteer.

    Free • Registration Required
  • Children fishing near a body of water.

    Fishing Bass-ics

    Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

    Get hooked on the basics of fishing as we tackle new topics and activities each class. Today we’ll review June’s lesson, dive deeper into fish […]

    Free
  • A group painting together outdoors.

    Nature Art Meetup

    Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305

    Join us in sketching whatever intrigues us in nature that day. All art levels are welcome. The experience is self-guided and no instruction will be […]

    Free