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

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 seed, and much more. Large pin oaks are a unique feature of this preserve, which is also home to some beautiful spring ephemerals. Visit The […]

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 […]

NEWTS New Volunteer – Stewardship Volunteer Days

3QM9+FQ, Hoffman Estates, IL 3QM9+FQ, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States

Beginner friendly workday at Spring Creek Healy Savanna where we will learn how to remove invasive shrubs with hand tools and place the wood in a brush pile fire. Meet at Beverly Lake parking area off of Higgens Rd (Rte 72). Click the registration link for more details. 

Trailblazers: Des Plaines River Relics Walk

The final three miles of the Des Plaines River Trail have more lost, abandoned, and mysterious artifacts than any other stretch of the trail; we’ll discuss what these are and how they fit into the modern history of this most urban of urban rivers. Along the way, we’ll also talk about water quality, habitat conditions […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days – Whistler Woods

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 near the end of the parking lot before the cul-de-sac; Click the registration link for more details.

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 and trees to restore the original structure. With increased sunlight, the wildflowers and grasses will once again add to the beauty of the woods. Join […]

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

Stewardship Volunteer Days – Kickapoo Woods

Kickapoo Woods Kickapoo Woods, 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 the volunteer kiosk; Click on the registration link for more details.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

Stewardship Volunteer Days: Dan Ryan Woods

Chicago, IL 60643-1231 W 91st St & S Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60643-1231, Illinois, United States

Join us in the abundant woodlands at Dan Ryan Woods to help protect our environment and make a difference locally. No experience required; all tools and supplies will be provided! […]

Trailblazers: Des Plaines River Relics Walk

The final three miles of the Des Plaines River Trail have more lost, abandoned, and mysterious artifacts than any other stretch of the trail; we’ll discuss what these are and […]

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 […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days- Kickapoo Woods and Prairie

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 […]

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

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

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 […]

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 […]

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