Events
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Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join the River Forest Public Library for storytelling! Ages 0-5 w/ adult. Drop in.
Free -
Thursdays in Nature: Bug Detective!
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature with University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists through fun inquiry-based activities for both adults and kids. Drop in.
Free -
Freedom Trail: Paddle Tour
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Join us on 10-person voyager canoes for a fascinating tale of the hundreds -perhaps thousands- of escaped slaves / "Freedom Seekers" that came through this […]
Free • Registration Required -
Nature Arts for Health: Plein Air Watercolor
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Experience the positive interaction between nature art and wellness in this fun, interactive art class. Led by University of Illinois-Extension.
Free • Registration Required -
Story Trail: Juneteenth
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Experience a story unfolding along a short trail. A craft is available to take home upon story trail completion.
Free -
Nature Book Club: “Why Rats Laugh and Jellyfish Sleep” by D. Stipp
Forest Park Public Library • Forest Park, IL 60130Discuss the featured book and ponder the hidden depths of familiar animals and ordinary things. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Family Fishing Exploration Day
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Discover the wonders beneath the waters of the preserves. Learn to fish, examine specimens and create art with your family.
Free • Registration Required -
Juneteenth Reflection Hike
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Self-guided Juneteenth reflection hike exploring freedom, resilience and belonging through thoughtful prompts.
Free -
Juneteenth Walk
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for a walk focusing on the contributions made by African-American naturalists.
Free -
Juneteenth Paddle
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Paddle along the African American Heritage Water Trail on 10-person canoes. Presented with Openlands. Registration opens one month prior to event date.
Free • Registration Closed -
Juneteenth Paddle
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch • Chicago, IL 60827Paddle along the African American Heritage Water Trail on 10-person canoes. Presented with Openlands. Registration opens one month prior to event date.
Free • Registration Closed -
Juneteenth Freedom Ride
FeaturedDan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Join this 16-mile cycling celebration with Major Taylor Trail Keepers and local bike clubs. BYO-bike and helmet.
Free -
Busse Lake Outdoors Day & Fishing Derby
Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)Free fishing derby, nature play, animal encounters and more! Enjoy local food and win prizes. Join Commissioner Kevin Morrison for Outdoors Day and the annual […]
Free • Registration Required -
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 -
To Catch a Crayfish
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480We’ll set out traps and explore the amazing arthropods we discover. Ages 7 & up.
Free -
American Indian Summer Solstice
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634Celebrate the solstice with dancing, drumming, storytelling and a sun-themed art activity. Presented by American Indian Center of Chicago. Grove 13.
Free -
Juneteenth Jubilee
FeaturedSand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate freedom, family and country with activities, refreshments and performances highlighting Black history. Juneteenth Jubilee transforms the Sand Ridge Nature Center Campus into a vibrant […]
Free -
Hawk Talk
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about one of our resident raptors.
Free -
Restoration Workday
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Help us restore our natural communities of woodland and prairie. Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up. Ages 10-14 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
The Un-buried Treasure Hunt
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Pick up a treasure map then decode the clues along the trails to find the un-buried treasure.
Free -
America’s Original Wildlife
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439As part of America 250, learn how iconic species helped shape America’s landscapes, ecosystems and culture. Ages 13 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
The Buzz on Bees
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Visit our beehives and meet the beekeepers to learn about bees, pollination and honey.
Free -
Jr. Naturalist Camp
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Running from 9:30 am to 1 pm each day, this day camp is perfect for kids who love nature and want to become junior naturalists! […]
$50 • Registration Required -
Teen Biodiversity Day
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Spend the day in the field with naturalists to discover the diversity of life in the Forest Preserves. Ages 13 & up.
Free • Registration Required
