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.
Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and buckthorn tie-dye instructor Katelyn for an Earth Day weekend filled with snacks, service, nature walks, and more! Participants can join us for: 🌳 Intro to Environmental Volunteering: Learn more about the world of ecological stewardship by helping out with invasive species removal 🌸 Spring Ephemeral Walk: Take a calming […]
We are going back to Penny Woods to finish brush clearing and herbiciding work. We may be collecting Penn Sedge seed depending on conditions. Meet at the Penny Rd Pond parking area. We’ll hike to the site from there. Contact Information- Please reach out to Ken DeMuth 312-316-5216
Step into spring with us as we enjoy the greening of the woods to start the season. Take in the fresh air and join the group to explore this lovely site. We’ll cross the river and head into Harms Woods, included in the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, and see if we can spot a spring […]
Eggers and Elderberries: Connections within the Calumet Region. Saúcos Salvaje: Conexiones Dentro de la Región de Calumet! We will learn about the forest preserves and zoom in on Eggers Grove Forest Preserve, a gem of the East Side community. Then, we will learn about the history, benefits, and uses of elderberry, a local and native […]
Help us take on the City Nature Challenge! Document and upload as many plants, animals, and other creatures as possible to iNaturalist.Search for and document the diverse and amazing wildlife found at Egger’s Grove for the “City Nature Challenge 2026: Chicagoland Region” event on iNaturalist. How many plants, animals, and other creatures will you be […]
Friends of the Forest Preserves is partnering with Chicago BIPOC Birders to host two beginner-friendly hikes this fall in Barrington! While these events are open to all, they are BIPOC-centered and intentional, created with care to uplift the presence, joy, and experiences of BIPOC individuals in outdoor environmental spaces. Contact Information- Please reach out to […]
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 […]
Volunteers and friends of the Des Plaines River are invited to help clean up the Des Plaines riverbank. Meet in the forest preserve area east of the Barrypoint Bridge and the Hofmann Tower. Bring your kids, parents, neighbors, or friends! We accept AND recycle aluminum cans to raise money for future cleanups and events. Wear […]
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 […]
Meeting Location- Beverly Lake Trail, Hoffman Estates Summary of Event/Workday- Join Us for a Garlic Mustard Pull & Spring Ephemeral hunt! Help protect our woodlands by removing invasive garlic mustard, giving native plants the space they need to thrive. As we work, we’ll also keep an eye out for neat spring ephemeral plants.. We’ll collect […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 and slightly higher mesic prairie soils. A small open savanna lies on what was once the east bank of the river. The mesic prairie had […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Meeting Location- Beverly Lake Trail, Hoffman Estates Summary of Event/Workday- Join Us for a Garlic Mustard Pull & Spring Ephemeral hunt! Help protect our woodlands by removing invasive garlic mustard, giving native plants the space they need to thrive. As we work, we’ll also keep an eye out for neat spring ephemeral plants.. We’ll collect […]
Come hang out at Eggers Grove for a fun homeschool meet-up! Every third Thursday of the month from 10am-12pm All ages and families are invited to this free event at Eggers Grove. Whether you homeschool, unschool, or just want to hangout with other families, come for a monthly nature walk and other nature based activities.
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 and slightly higher mesic prairie soils. A small open savanna lies on what was once the east bank of the river. The mesic prairie had […]
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 […]