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.
Celebrate the rich history of Whistler Woods with Friends of the Forest Preserves! We invite you to join us on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 for a historical storytelling walk. Within the local woods adjacent to the African American Heritage Water Trail, we will walk and engage with the history of Whistler Woods, formerly Whistler Tract, […]
Location- Spring Creek Galloping Hill Meeting Location- Penny Road Pond, Barrington Hills Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Galloping Hill, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, community, and conservation. You’ll get hands-on with native plant restoration by learning to identify prairie species and collect their seeds. Vital work that […]
Seeds are the lifeblood of healthy woodlands and prairies. By growing successive generations of species, they help ensure resilient, self-renewing natural areas for years to come. Restoration volunteers hand collect seeds of many different species in Forest Preserve sites along the Chicago River North Branch, then distribute them to other less healthy North Branch sites. […]
Come and join us at Egger’s Grove and help us do some critical bat monitoring while also having fun. We’ll use special equipment to listen to what bats sound like when they use echolocation! Come prepared for a moderate nighttime walk through a wooded, unpaved trail. Please plan according to the weather.
Join us at Whistler Woods to discover the beauty of its native prairie! We will provide all tools and instructions to collect native seeds and help restore the site’s natural areas.
Join us for our summer Insect Safari with naturalist guide Michael Rush. Using nets and collection jars . Participants will be able to catch, identify, and study a variety of insects before safely releasing them back onto the forest preserve. Note: please wear sturdy shoes and long pants!
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 […]
Join us for a morning full of activities, with a 1-mile walk, followed by a yoga session at the preserve.
Join us for a guided nature walk + hands-on herbal tasting to explore local plants, everyday herbs, and their cultural uses.
Join us for a morning full of activities, with a 1-mile walk, followed by a yoga session at the preserve.
Location- Spring Creek Longmeadow Meeting Location- 152 W Dundee Rd, Barrington Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Longmeadow, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, community, and conservation. You’ll get hands-on with native plant restoration by learning to identify prairie species and collect their seeds. Vital work that helps restore […]
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 […]
Meet other people who enjoy nature and walking in the woods. We’ll go along the North Branch of the Chicago River to take in the views of the water and the beauty of many tall trees. We’ll identify three species along the way. The walk starts by picking up the North Branch Trail and heading […]
Join us at Whistler Woods to discover the beauty of its native prairie! We will provide all tools and instructions to collect native seeds and help restore the site’s natural […]
Location- Spring Creek Galloping Hill Meeting Location- Penny Road Pond, Barrington Hills Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Galloping Hill, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect […]
Join us for a restorative Trailblazer Walk exploring the forest preserves, native plants, and the healing power of herbal teas. Learn how local trees and herbs support wellness.
Seeds are the lifeblood of healthy woodlands and prairies. By growing successive generations of species, they help ensure resilient, self-renewing natural areas for years to come. Restoration volunteers hand collect […]
Families and kids of all ages are invited to join us for House Music Hangout at Beaubien Woods! Whether you’re bringing the family, friends, or even yourself, there is something […]
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 […]
Location- Spring Creek Longmeadow Meeting Location- 152 W Dundee Rd, Barrington Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Longmeadow, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, […]
