Trailblazers Walk: Lake Avenue Woods East

Lake Avenue Woods East Forest Preserve - Calming Wellness Walk A relaxed walk with historical interest and immense trees. We will find calming techniques, increase sensory awareness, and learn about the power of nature on our health.  Challenge Level: Easy- Duration is 1.5 hours, relaxed pace Parking/Meeting location: Park in the very last lot at […]

Trailblazers Walk: Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

Please join us as we explore the kettle moraine region around the Little Red School House and beyond. We will enjoy the fall colors, talk about the post- Ice Age growth of these woods, explore the kettle moraine features of the area, and observe the flora and fauna of the biodiversity along the trail. Challenge […]

Trailblazers Walk: Mushroom Walk at Somme Woods

Join us to enjoy the woods and sneak some peeks at mushrooms. This is the time of year to see mushrooms and other fungi in all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. Difficulty level: The walk will be at a moderate pace in a wooded area. Stepping over stumps and fallen trees will be required. […]

Free

Blue Star Woods Volunteer Workday

Help restore habitat for plants and wildlife at this historic forest preserve. Blue Star Woods was once the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp and a WWII Prisoner of War Camp. During that period, most of the site was converted to barracks and buildings. Since then, the camp has been demolished and nature has […]

Trailblazers Walk: Swallow Cliff Woods

The Yellow Trail - the trail we will be primarily walking - was rated the best trail in Illinois by Backpacker Magazine. The trails are in great shape! The walk will take approximately 2 hours and will be 3-4 miles in length, depending on the group size and fitness levels. Be assured that we'll cater […]

Trailblazers Walk: Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve

Cranberry Slough Halloween Hike Please join us as we explore the ecology of the Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve on Halloween!  During the walk we’ll cover the following topics, among others: Differences between invasive and native species Interesting facts about the site Share spooky stories Challenge level: Moderate walking pace; the majority of the trail is […]

Blue Star Woods Volunteer Workday

Help restore habitat for plants and wildlife at this historic forest preserve. Blue Star Woods was once the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp and a WWII Prisoner of War Camp. During that period, most of the site was converted to barracks and buildings. Since then, the camp has been demolished and nature has […]

Whistler Woods Volunteer Workday

Whistler Woods contains oaks up to 300 years old, but invasive brush prevents their acorns from sprouting. Come join a volunteer group that will cut back the invasives and improve the habitat at this preserve. Learn what it takes to restore diverse wildlife, trees, wildflowers, and health in our forest preserves and our river system. […]

Nature Walk at Jurgensen Woods

Jurgensen Woods is currently being restored by our dedicated and passionate team members on the Calumet Conservation Corps crew, with the help of others. Come take a 1 mile nature walk as we view the site and get a chance to have a Q&A with the crew as they explain the work being done and […]

Eggers Woods Volunteer Workday

Eggers is a mosaic of wooded ridges where spring wildflowers thrive and narrow wetlands are filled with sedges, marsh grasses, and waterfowl. Help remove invasive species that threaten to crowd out native plants! Trained leaders show you how to identify plants that don't belong and demonstrate how to safely use hand tools. We will be […]

Trailblazers – Thatcher Woods Health Walk

Please join us as we walk and share fun facts about the flora at Thatcher Woods as it beds down for winter. We'll also discuss how to keep ourselves active during the colder, late autumn/early winter months. With the trees more barren, birds and other fauna may be seen more easily. We're hoping to spot […]

Trailblazers – Forest Glen Woods Walk

Come and enjoy the beauty of this preserve along the North Branch of the Chicago River.  We'll walk through floodplain and woodland terrain and also get a bird's eye view of the forest from the bike bridge. Difficulty level: The walk will be at a moderate pace on both paved and unpaved trails. The difficulty […]