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

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Today

Explore and Restore: Kames, Calamities, and Other Cartographic Curiosities

Penny Road Pond Penny Road Pond, Barrington Hills, Illinois, United States

Summary of Event/Workday- Join us for a unique, adventure-filled hike through the rolling terrain of the Penny Road Pond area, where we’ll explore the fascinating landforms shaped by ancient glaciers, uncover the stories of past ecological and human events, and decode the landscape using historical and topographical maps. This hike is perfect for those who love […]

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 bounded on the west side by Caldwell Avenue, Waukegan Road and development at the intersection of Waukegan Road and Dempster Street. The land on the […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days

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

Workday where we will remove invasive shrubs with hand tools and place the wood in a brush pile fire. Beginners welcome!

Oxbow Prairie Volunteer Workday

Formed by an old loop in the river’s course, lies the Oxbow Prairie. This old oxbow in the Chicago River’s North Branch is a combination of low, wet prairie soils and slightly higher mesic prairie soils. A small open savanna lies on what was once the east bank of the river. The mesic prairie had […]

BGI Spring Kickoff

Flint Creek – CFC Farmhouse 459 W State Rte 22, North Barrington, Illinois, United States

Join us for a festive gathering to celebrate the hard work of woody clearing and prescribed burns while welcoming the arrival of spring! Gather around the campfire for a cozy evening of community and camaraderie. This will be a potluck-style event, so be sure to check the key to see what dish you can bring […]

Homeschool Hangout at Eggers Grove

Come hang out at Eggers Grove for a fun homeschool meet-up! Every third Thursday of the month from 10am-12pm until June 19, 2025

Earth Day Celebration Hike at Deer Grove

Deer Grove Forest Preserve Deer Grove Forest Preserve, West Dundee Road, Palatine, Illinois, United States

Celebrate Earth Day by joining us for a hike at Deer Grove Forest Preserve. We will explore areas within both the East & West Preserves! On this hike, we will […]

Bunker Hill North Flatwoods Volunteer Workdays

Join the North Branch Restoration Project to restore this oak woodland to its former beauty! This 76-acre site depends on a community of volunteers to remove invasive species, spread native […]

Nature and Forest Therapy Walk

Beaubien Woods Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve Pavillion, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Join us for a peaceful and rejuvenating nature walk through Beaubien Woods, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the beauty of the outdoors. Nature and Forest Therapy Walks: Forest therapy walks are […]

Oxbow Prairie Volunteer Workday

Formed by an old loop in the river’s course, lies the Oxbow Prairie. This old oxbow in the Chicago River’s North Branch is a combination of low, wet prairie soils […]

Homeschool Hangout at Eggers Grove

Come hang out at Eggers Grove for a fun homeschool meet-up! Every third Thursday of the month from 10am-12pm until June 19, 2025

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 […]

Nature and Forest Therapy Walk

Beaubien Woods Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve Pavillion, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Join us for a peaceful and rejuvenating nature walk through Beaubien Woods, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the beauty of the outdoors. Nature and Forest Therapy Walks: Forest therapy walks are […]

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 […]

Nature and Forest Therapy Walk

Beaubien Woods Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve Pavillion, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Join us for a peaceful and rejuvenating nature walk through Beaubien Woods, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the beauty of the outdoors. Nature and Forest Therapy Walks: Forest therapy walks are […]

Bunker Hill North Flatwoods Volunteer Workdays

Join the North Branch Restoration Project to restore this oak woodland to its former beauty! This 76-acre site depends on a community of volunteers to remove invasive species, spread native […]