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

Xylem Seed Garden Workdays

6633 W Harts Road, Niles IL, 60714 6633 W Harts Road, Niles, Illinois, United States

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 […]

Linne Woods Bird Watching

Linne Woods Linne Woods, Morton Grove, Illinois, United States

Learn how to identify neighborhood birds at Linne Woods. This event is in partnership with BIPOC Birders.

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 […]

A Family PEACE Gathering:  Family Camping & Community Celebration

Dan Ryan Woods Event Pavillion W 87th St & S Western Ave, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Nature-based peace circles for people of all ages & ethnicities to connect, celebrate, and build community through art, wellness, & play. Join us for an overnight camping experience at Shabonna […]

Wellness Tuesdays at Kickapoo Woods

Kickapoo Woods Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

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 […]

Wellness Wednesdays at Whistler Woods

Whistler Woods M946+6JQ, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

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 […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days – Grigsby Prairie

Grigsby Parking Location 42°09'53.7"N 88°11'01.6"W, Barrington HIlls, Illinois, United States

Come learn about Porcupine Grass and Leiberg’s Panic Grass (aka Prairie Panic Grass) at Grigsby Prairie this Thursday from 9-11am! We will be learning, collecting, and maybe even spreading some […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days: Whistler Woods

Whistler Woods JC4M+8M5, Calumet City, Illinois, United States

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 […]

Yoga: Gentle Flow & Mindful Breath

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center P8P9+9X, Chicago, Illinois, United States

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 […]

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 […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days: Sand Ridge Nature Center

Sand Ridge Nature Center JC4M+8M5, Calumet City, Illinois, United States

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 at the pod […]

Wellness Tuesdays at Kickapoo Woods

Kickapoo Woods Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

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 […]

Wellness Wednesdays at Whistler Woods

Whistler Woods M946+6JQ, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

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 […]

Stewardship Volunteer Days: Dan Ryan Woods

Dan Ryan Woods P8HJ+FR, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Dan Ryan Woods is an expansive area covering 257 acres of Cook County. The site is home to beautiful woodlands, and flora and fauna that thrive in it.  During our volunteer days, you […]

Xylem Seed Garden Workdays

6633 W Harts Road, Niles IL, 60714 6633 W Harts Road, Niles, Illinois, United States

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 […]

Seed Leaders Essentials Workshop

Hill N Dale Farmhouse 42°09'34.5"N 88°12'23.1"W, Barrington Hills, Illinois, United States

Join BGI at our upcoming Seed Leaders Essentials Workshop! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be sharing seed leadership resources and teaching any and all interested in […]

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 […]