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

Nature Journaling Workshop Series: Looking at the Smaller Picture

Whistler Woods Forest Preserve 735 West 134th Street, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

Our series of nature journaling workshops will take you on a progressive journey that will allow you to explore skills like observation, art, color theory, poetry, and more! You will have the chance to collaborate with others and learn in a peaceful, welcoming environment in Calumet’s best forest preserves (view the agenda for specific site […]

Trailblazers: Ted Lechowicz Woods Seed Collecting

Thaddeus S. “Ted” Lechowicz Woods 5901 North Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, United States

The group will learn how to identify and collect some native plant seeds. Seeds collected will be given to the North Branch Restoration Project for sowing later in the year. This is part of a process that helps preserve and diversify the ecosystems in Cook County forest preserves. Difficulty Level: This task will require walking […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days – Flint Creek Savanna

Flint Creek Savanna – CFC Farmhouse Parking Lot 42°11'33.0"N 88°10'20.4"W, Lake Barrington, Illinois, United States

Come learn about collecting Cow Parsnip and Great Angelica at Flint Creek Savanna this Saturday from 9-11am! We will be learning, collecting, and maybe even spreading some of this seed. No registration required! If you are interested in signing up for the CFC newsletter for weekly event emails here is that link- https://citizensforconservation.org/get-involved/regular-workdays/   Contact Information: […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days- Eggers Woods

Eggers Woods MFQF+94Q, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Eggers Woods is a beautiful site made of woodlands, marshes, and prairies. For a better view of the flora and fauna at this site, join us for a volunteer day performing ecological restoration. Meet at the parking lot east of the caretaker’s building.

Stewardship Volunteer Days – The 160

Higgins Road Parking Location 42°04'51.8"N 88°13'03.5"W, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States

Join Spring Creek Stewards as we go on a scavenger hunt for seeds! All are welcome to come, learn, and lead. Meet at the parking area on the north side of Higgins Rd.(Rt 72) between Wichman Rd.& Beverly Rd. Contact Information- [email protected] or Ken DeMuth 312-316-5216

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 […]

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 conversation & mindfulness. No registration required. Yoga10:00 am – 11:00 amAll levels welcome. Registration not required, but please email us if you will be bringing […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days- Kickapoo Woods

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 […]

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- 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 outside […]

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 […]

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 […]

BIPOC Birders Nature Walk + Stewardship Volunteer Day- Kickapoo Woods

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

Join us for a BIPOC-friendly nature walk with BIPOC Birders to see the animals present at Kickapoo Woods from 9AM-10AM. Binoculars will be provided. Following the walk, stewardship activities will […]

Forest Bathing

Penny Road Pond 42°05'53.9"N 88°12'26.2"W, Barrington HIlls, Illinois, United States

Forest bathing is a guided experience that works to mend the relationships humans have with themselves, the concept of time, their communities, and their environment. It is a practice focused […]

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 […]