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.
Seeds are the lifeblood of healthy woodlands and prairies. By growing successive generations of species, they help ensure resilient, self-renewing natural areas for years to come. Restoration volunteers hand collect seeds of many different species in Forest Preserve sites along the Chicago River North Branch, then distribute them to other less healthy North Branch sites. […]
Join us as we admire the spring colors and beauty of the Des Plaines River. 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 […]
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 […]
Summer Solstice gathering in nature with Light of Loving Kindness (LOLK) & Friends of the Forest Preserves (FOTFP). Join us for reflection, restoration, food, and community care. This public and free gathering is an invitation to slow down and connect with ourselves, one another, and the land in a way that feels grounded and accessible. […]
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 […]
Seeds are the lifeblood of healthy woodlands and prairies. By growing successive generations of species, they help ensure resilient, self-renewing natural areas for years to come. Restoration volunteers hand collect seeds of many different species in Forest Preserve sites along the Chicago River North Branch, then distribute them to other less healthy North Branch sites. […]
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 Seed Collecting Adventure! 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 […]
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 […]
Seeds are the lifeblood of healthy woodlands and prairies. By growing successive generations of species, they help ensure resilient, self-renewing natural areas for years to come. Restoration volunteers hand collect seeds of many different species in Forest Preserve sites along the Chicago River North Branch, then distribute them to other less healthy North Branch sites. […]
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 […]
Meeting Location- Beverly Lake Trail, Hoffman Estates Summary of Event/Workday- Join Us for a Garlic Mustard Pull & Spring Seed Collecting Adventure! 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 […]
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 […]
Seeds are the lifeblood of healthy woodlands and prairies. By growing successive generations of species, they help ensure resilient, self-renewing natural areas for years to come. Restoration volunteers hand collect seeds of many different species in Forest Preserve sites along the Chicago River North Branch, then distribute them to other less healthy North Branch sites. […]
Location- Spring Creek Longmeadow Meeting Location- 152 W Dundee Rd, Barrington Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Longmeadow, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, community, and conservation. You’ll get hands-on with native plant restoration by learning to identify prairie species and collect their seeds. Vital work that helps restore […]
Location- Spring Creek Galloping Hill Meeting Location- Penny Road Pond, Barrington Hills Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Galloping Hill, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, community, and conservation. You’ll get hands-on with native plant restoration by learning to identify prairie species and collect their seeds. Vital work that […]
Location- Spring Creek Longmeadow Meeting Location- 152 W Dundee Rd, Barrington Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Longmeadow, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, community, and conservation. You’ll get hands-on with native plant restoration by learning to identify prairie species and collect their seeds. Vital work that helps restore […]
Location- Spring Creek Galloping Hill Meeting Location- Penny Road Pond, Barrington Hills Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Galloping Hill, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, community, and conservation. You’ll get hands-on with native plant restoration by learning to identify prairie species and collect their seeds. Vital work that […]
Location- Spring Creek Longmeadow Meeting Location- 152 W Dundee Rd, Barrington Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Longmeadow, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, community, and conservation. You’ll get hands-on with native plant restoration by learning to identify prairie species and collect their seeds. Vital work that helps restore […]
Location- Spring Creek Galloping Hill Meeting Location- Penny Road Pond, Barrington Hills Summary of Event/Workday- Set against the stunning backdrop of Galloping Hill, this beginner-friendly outing invites you to connect with nature, community, and conservation. You’ll get hands-on with native plant restoration by learning to identify prairie species and collect their seeds. Vital work that […]