After enjoying the nature center's inhabitants, we'll move outside to explore the trails of this wooded preserve along the Des Plaines River. Difficulty level: The walk will be at a moderate pace on both paved and unpaved trails. The difficulty level will be relatively easy, as most paths are clear of large obstacles. Parking/Meeting location: […]
Help us remove woody invasive species! They deplete the health of the soil, don’t allow native plants to grow and thrive, and severely affect the health of the ecosystem they become a part of. Together, we're working to restore health back to this special site. A few things to keep in mind: Make sure to […]
Deer and water fowl are typically sited at this preserve. Let's see how many we observe while walking through both Caldwell and Bunker Hill Woods. Difficulty level: The walk will be at a moderate pace on both paved and unpaved trails. The difficulty level will be relatively easy as most paths are clear of large […]
The Skokie River and Middle Fork of the Chicago River come together to give Watersmeet Woods its name. But Watersmeet is also a wet place with numerous special types of wetlands that support rare plants and wildlife, including the only “calcareous seep” on the North Branch preserves. This seep environment is fed by cool groundwater […]
This site protects a large area of one of the rarest plant communities in Illinois, known as a Northern Flatwoods. Flatwoods are found where a dense layer of clay lies near the surface of the soil. This clay prevents rain from draining in the spring, although flatwoods can become very dry in the summer. Plants […]
Eggers is a mosaic of wooded ridges where spring wildflowers thrive and narrow wetlands are filled with sedges, marsh grasses, and waterfowl. Help remove invasive species that threaten to crowd out native plants! Trained leaders show you how to identify plants that don't belong and demonstrate how to safely use hand tools. We will be […]
Whistler Woods contains oaks up to 300 years old, but invasive brush prevents their acorns from sprouting. Come join a volunteer group that will cut back the invasives and improve the habitat at this preserve. Learn what it takes to restore diverse wildlife, trees, wildflowers, and health in our forest preserves and our river system. […]
The Skokie River and Middle Fork of the Chicago River come together to give Watersmeet Woods its name. But Watersmeet is also a wet place with numerous special types of wetlands that support rare plants and wildlife, including the only “calcareous seep” on the North Branch preserves. This seep environment is fed by cool groundwater […]
Great horned owls are one of the apex predators of Cook County. Sometimes known as "the tiger of the skies," they grow large, relying on their size and strength to ambush prey. They will even hunt other birds of prey. Because their chicks need time to grow large and to learn hunting skills before the […]
Help restore habitat for plants and wildlife at this historic forest preserve. Blue Star Woods was once the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp and a WWII Prisoner of War Camp. During that period, most of the site was converted to barracks and buildings. Since then, the camp has been demolished and nature has […]
Help us remove woody invasive species! They deplete the health of the soil, don’t allow native plants to grow and thrive, and severely affect the health of the ecosystem they become a part of. Together, we're working to restore health back to this special site. A few things to keep in mind: Make sure to […]
The Skokie River and Middle Fork of the Chicago River come together to give Watersmeet Woods its name. But Watersmeet is also a wet place with numerous special types of wetlands that support rare plants and wildlife, including the only “calcareous seep” on the North Branch preserves. This seep environment is fed by cool groundwater […]
