Welcome to the Grove, where plants and creatures and children all grow together. Through songs, play, and story, little ones and their grown-ups will discover the forest around them and learn how we are all connected IN THE GROVE: a Filament Theatre Original Trail Tale By: Co-created by Eleanor Kahn, Katie Norregaard, and Julie Ritchey Cost: FREE! […]
The Skokie River and Middle Fork of the Chicago River come together to give Watersmeet Woods its name. But Watersmeet is also a wet place with numerous special types of wetlands that support rare plants and wildlife, including the only “calcareous seep” on the North Branch preserves. This seep environment is fed by cool groundwater […]
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 […]
Please join us as we explore the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) construction at this urban oasis and enjoy the flora and fauna that exists on the Southeast side of Chicago. During the walk we’ll cover the following topics, among others: Explore a preserve in the heart of an urban area. Discuss the CCC constructions at […]
Autumn brings a new type of calm, peace, and spirituality. We will use a combination of nature meditations, silence, and observation to enhance our senses to find hope within changing seasons. During this walk, we will: Find calm in the autumn multi-colors and mirror-like lake reflections of this beautiful preserve. Stop for observations and silent […]
Please join us as we explore the various birds in Thatcher Woods, visit the raptor rescue exhibit, and discover other wildlife in this suburban forest preserve. During the walk we’ll cover the following topics, among others: Enjoy a casual walk in the woods on a cement-paved path encircling the pond and the red-marked primitive trail […]
Experience the Flora and Fauna of the Forest during Fall Migration on a Bird Walk! Naturalists and birders of all ages and experience levels are welcome to join this walk through LaBagh Woods. This forest preserve is great for both migrating and year-round bird species, including warblers, woodpeckers, waterfowl, herons, raptors, and more. Difficulty level: […]
We will be at Eggers Grove to enjoy a few hours of reflection, meditation, and inner work. Our day will start with a yoga session conducted by Donisha Reed, of Wealthy Living Coaching and Consulting, LLC. We will then take a small break to share some healthy refreshments. After our break, Cassandra from Light of […]
History of the WW2 POW Camps Learn about the housing of German Prisoners of War and other interesting facts surrounding the three forest preserves within Cook County. Vintage aerial maps and photos of the camps and preserves will help you visualize what these areas were like during that time. Afterward, we will take a walk […]
The Skokie River and Middle Fork of the Chicago River come together to give Watersmeet Woods its name. But Watersmeet is also a wet place with numerous special types of wetlands that support rare plants and wildlife, including the only “calcareous seep” on the North Branch preserves. This seep environment is fed by cool groundwater […]
Let’s have some fun, get exercise, and enjoy nature! This is a social hike where we can chat about the routine, the mundane, or some of the most unusual or funny things you have ever done, seen, or heard about! Could be something funny that happened at your kid’s school or at the office. Maybe […]
This site protects a large area of one of the rarest plant communities in Illinois, known as a Northern Flatwoods. Flatwoods are found where a dense layer of clay lies near the surface of the soil. This clay prevents rain from draining in the spring, although flatwoods can become very dry in the summer. Plants […]
