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 […]
Join this introductory yoga class with DuShaun Branch, of Sage Gawd Collective, created for all students, regardless of yoga experience. This class will be held outdoors at Whistler Woods Forest Preserve. This 60 minute class is a great way to stretch, relax, and have fun for the entire family. The class will open with a […]
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 […]
Please join us as we explore the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) construction at this urban oasis and enjoy the flora and fauna that exists on the Southeast side of Chicago. During the walk we’ll cover the following topics, among others: Explore a preserve in the heart of an urban area. Discuss the CCC constructions at […]
Autumn brings a new type of calm, peace, and spirituality. We will use a combination of nature meditations, silence, and observation to enhance our senses to find hope within changing seasons. During this walk, we will: Find calm in the autumn multi-colors and mirror-like lake reflections of this beautiful preserve. Stop for observations and silent […]
Update October 20: The 6th Annual Beer in the Woods was a smashing success! Nearly 1,400 people were in attendance, helping to raise over $60,000 to promote, protect, and care for our forest preserves. Thank you to all our attendees, sponsors, participating breweries, nature partners, and volunteers. This event takes a village! Update September 21: […]
Experience the Flora and Fauna of the Forest during Fall Migration on a Bird Walk! Naturalists and birders of all ages and experience levels are welcome to join this walk through LaBagh Woods. This forest preserve is great for both migrating and year-round bird species, including warblers, woodpeckers, waterfowl, herons, raptors, and more. Difficulty level: […]
Please join us as we explore the various birds in Thatcher Woods, visit the raptor rescue exhibit, and discover other wildlife in this suburban forest preserve. During the walk we’ll cover the following topics, among others: Enjoy a casual walk in the woods on a cement-paved path encircling the pond and the red-marked primitive trail […]
Experience the Flora and Fauna of the Forest during Fall Migration on a Bird Walk! Naturalists and birders of all ages and experience levels are welcome to join this walk through LaBagh Woods. This forest preserve is great for both migrating and year-round bird species, including warblers, woodpeckers, waterfowl, herons, raptors, and more. Difficulty level: […]
We will be at Eggers Grove to enjoy a few hours of reflection, meditation, and inner work. Our day will start with a yoga session conducted by Donisha Reed, of Wealthy Living Coaching and Consulting, LLC. We will then take a small break to share some healthy refreshments. After our break, Cassandra from Light of […]
History of the WW2 POW Camps Learn about the housing of German Prisoners of War and other interesting facts surrounding the three forest preserves within Cook County. Vintage aerial maps and photos of the camps and preserves will help you visualize what these areas were like during that time. Afterward, we will take a walk […]
Collect seeds with us, enjoy the benefits of being out in nature, and do your part to help our forest preserves thrive! Seed collection is a vital part of ecological restoration, bringing health and resilience to natural landscapes. We’ll work together to identify native plants and collect some of their seeds. The seeds will be […]
