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.
Text CALUMET or NORTHWEST 545-454 for events and volunteer opportunities!
Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and Light of Loving Kindness for an invigorating day at Kickapoo Woods to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month! This event is perfect for families, friends, and anyone wanting to enjoy the springtime in perfect fashion! Activities will include a calming yoga session out in nature, light stewardship activities, an […]
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 these seeds to support future restoration efforts. No experience necessary, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join us for an interactive terrarium all about the connection between species! Learn about how different keystone species like beavers, bees, sunflowers, and ospreys interact with each other and help build the ecosystems around us.
Enjoy a relaxed midweek nature walk through the scenic trails of 40 Acre Woods. Bring your kids and wagons! This guided wagon walk is designed for adults and children who are looking to stay active, connect with others, and experience the beauty of the preserve at a comfortable pace. Participants can expect peaceful paths and […]
Join us to view the winning photos from our 2025 Photo Contest up close and personal! Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with light refreshments, beverages, and conversations with some of the winning photographers. This event is free. Please register to help us plan. Donations are happily accepted to help support our advocacy work, conservation corps programs, and […]
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. […]
Get ready for the annual Golf Outing at the forest preserves’ premier course! Join as a player and/or sponsor or donate in lieu of attendance. The event is an incredible time supporting a great cause! Ticket includes: Dinner with awards Greens fees and cart Range balls Snacks On-the-course drinks Open-bar reception
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Please join us at our Homeschool hangout, where we will learn more about trees and why tree rings are important. A nature walk and a story will be told. For any questions, contact Joy Bailey at: [email protected]
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 […]
Come and join others as we stroll through a prairie to see some lovely wildflowers in bloom and take a brief walk along the river as well! Meet people who enjoy nature and photography! Taking photos is not required. For birders, it’s a good spot to see a few species. About this event: The group will […]
Enjoy a relaxed midweek nature walk through the scenic trails of 40 Acre Woods. Bring your kids and wagons! This guided wagon walk is designed for adults and children who are looking to stay active, connect with others, and experience the beauty of the preserve at a comfortable pace. Participants can expect peaceful paths and […]
