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.
Meeting Location- Hill N Dale Farmhouse Address- https://maps.app.goo.gl/pjtCs6bc3sqf4nwY6 Summary of Event/Workday- Come learn about collecting sedges at Hill N Dale 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 […]
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 parking lot.
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 […]
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 of slow, flowing asanas (poses) and integrate deep breathing techniques (pranayama) to cultivate inner peace and release tension. This focus on breathwork will help you […]
Join Spring Creek Stewards as we go on a scavenger hunt for white sweet clover to pull! All are welcome to come, learn, and lead. Contact Information- [email protected] or Ken DeMuth 312-316-5216
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 of the pod on the service driveway NW of the Nature Center.
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 […]
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 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 […]
Come learn about collecting seeds of Spiderwort, Cow Parsnip, and Sedges at Hill N Dale this Thursday 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/ […]
For our second session taking place in Chicago south side’s Dan Ryan Woods, we will select a color to explore and journal within our surroundings. Journal reflection, light ecological stewardship activities, and refreshments will follow. Please bring water and dress in long sleeves and pants. Meeting location will be the Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center.
Come learn about collecting seeds of Brown Fox Sedge and more at Hill N Dale 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/ […]
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 take place with volunteers to help restore our natural habitats. Registration is not required for the walk.
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 on remembering reciprocity by connecting to our senses through the natural world. Join Jess Rodriguez, certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide, in this two-hour practice […]
Join Spring Creek Stewards as we go on a scavenger hunt for white sweet clover to pull along with some seed collection! All are welcome to come, learn, and lead. Contact Information- [email protected] or Ken DeMuth 312-316-5216
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 […]
The Member Appreciation Series is an opportunity to connect with the Friends community at some of the best spots across the Cook County Forest Preserves. Please contact [email protected] to RSVP or to join Friends as a member.
Identify birds with us who call our forest preserves home! Binoculars will be provided. Sit or walk depending on the group to accommodate everyone.
Identify birds with us who call our forest preserves home! Binoculars will be provided. Sit or walk depending on the group to accommodate everyone.
Come learn about collecting sedges and members of the carrot family at Flint Creek Savanna this Thursday 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/ […]
Join the Barrington Greenway Initiative for our Monthly Sketch & Stroll Nature Journaling Hike! Step into a slower pace and reconnect with nature through art. Every last Thursday of the month, we gather to observe the natural world from fresh perspectives—no experience necessary! Led by a beginner artist, this guided walk is perfect for all […]