Photo of outdoor event with people and booths

Connect, Learn and Explore: Dive Into Our Schedule of Events

Friends of the Forest Preserves hosts numerous events throughout the year designed to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the natural wonders of the forest preserves in Cook County.

Guided hikes, educational workshops, wellness programs, volunteer workdays, golf outings, fundraisers, cultural programs, and more await you.

Browse our schedule of events below to learn more.

Events

Trailblazers: Hiking the Ravines of Deer Grove West

Deer Grove West Deer Grove West, Palatine, Illinois, United States

Join us as we hike and explore the ravines which define the interior of Deer Grove West! The hike will follow the stream which created, and still shape the ravine […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days- Whistler Woods

Whistler Woods M946+6JQ, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

Join us at Whistler Woods for our volunteer days! We will be performing a variety of restoration activities in this woodland and prairie-dominant site. Meet at the end of the […]

A Family PEACE Gathering:  Eggers Grove Nature Block Party!

Dan Ryan Woods Event Pavillion W 87th St & S Western Ave, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Nature-based peace circles for people of all ages & ethnicities to connect, celebrate, and build community through art, wellness, & play. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of […]

Yoga: Gentle Flow & Mindful Breath

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center P8P9+9X, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Gentle Flow & Mindful Breath: Unwind and restore balance in this 60-minute, outdoor, gentle yoga class, designed to nurture your body and calm your mind. We’ll begin with a series […]

Warbler and Wildflower Walk

Bakers Lake 42°08'41.5"N 88°07'38.9"W, Barrington, Illinois, United States

 Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora […]

St. Paul Woods Volunteer Workday

St. Paul Woods is an inviting oak-hickory woodland situated east of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Like many of our native woodlands, it needs management to clear invasive brush […]

Warbler and Wildflower Walk

Healy Savanna Beverly Lake, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States

Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora […]

Wellness Tuesdays at Kickapoo Woods

Kickapoo Woods Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

Every Tuesday until September 23rd, 2025! Entrance at Halsted, south of 144th St. Riverdale, IL 60827. Stretch and Walks9:00 am – 10:00 am2 mile walk. Walking pace with room for […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days- Sand Ridge Nature Center 

Sand Ridge Nature Center JC4M+8M5, Calumet City, Illinois, United States

Sand Ridge is a woodland and prairie site with a magnificent nature center attached. Join our volunteer crew for a restoration day to help restore our forest preserves. Meet at […]

Wellness Wednesdays at Whistler Woods

Whistler Woods M946+6JQ, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

Every Wednesday until September 24th, 2025! Entrance at 134th St., East of Halsted Ave. Riverdale, IL 60827. Stretch and Walks9:00 am – 10:00 am2 mile walk. Walking pace with room […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days- Dan Ryan Woods

Dan Ryan Woods P8HJ+FR, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Dan Ryan Woods is an expansive area covering 257 acres of Cook County. The site is home to beautiful woodlands, and flora and fauna that thrive in it.  During our volunteer […]

 Sketch and Stroll / Nature Journaling

Bakers Lake 42°08'41.5"N 88°07'38.9"W, Barrington, Illinois, United States

Join BGI at our upcoming Sketch and Stroll hike! All are welcome and free to attend, this will be led by a beginner artist All supplies will be provided but […]

Miami Woods and Prairie Volunteer Workday

The Miami Woods Forest Preserve covers 112 acres stretching along the west side of the North Branch of the Chicago River from Oakton Street northward to Dempster Street.  It is […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days- Kickapoo Woods and Prairie

Kickapoo Woods & Priarie J9J3+GP, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

Kickapoo Woods is a site with beautiful wet prairies in Riverdale, IL. During volunteer days, you can get up close and personal with nature performing a variety of restoration activities. Meet at the volunteer […]

Warbler and Wildflower Walk

Grigsby 42°09'53.7"N 88°11'01.5"W, Barrington Hills, Illinois, United States

Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora […]

Deer Grove Spring Flower Hike Sunday

Deer Grove West Deer Grove West, Palatine, Illinois, United States

Woodland ephemeral flowers (Spring flowers) are blooming at Deer Grove West. They only bloom in the Spring when the trees’ leaves have not shaded the ground. These beautiful little flowers […]

Leadership Class

Hill N Dale 42°09'34.5"N 88°12'23.1"W, Barrington Hills, Illinois, United States

Join BGI at our upcoming Leadership Class! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be sharing leadership resources and teaching any and all interested in being a part […]

Wellness Tuesdays at Kickapoo Woods

Kickapoo Woods Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

Every Tuesday until September 23rd, 2025! Entrance at Halsted, south of 144th St. Riverdale, IL 60827. Stretch and Walks9:00 am – 10:00 am2 mile walk. Walking pace with room for […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days- Sand Ridge Nature Center

Sand Ridge Nature Center JC4M+8M5, Calumet City, Illinois, United States

Sand Ridge is a woodland and prairie site with a magnificent nature center attached. Join our volunteer crew for a restoration day to help restore our forest preserves. Meet at […]