Cranberry Slough Halloween Hike Please join us as we explore the ecology of the Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve on Halloween! During the walk we’ll cover the following topics, among others: Differences between invasive and native species Interesting facts about the site Share spooky stories Challenge level: Moderate walking pace; the majority of the trail is […]
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 […]
Please join the Friends community along with many partner organizations for a family-friendly event featuring a traditional altar, activity tables, face painting, and more. Come enjoy time with your family and friends as we celebrate this special day. There will be a performance by Mariachi Sirenas! There will be pan de muerto, hot chocolate, hot […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Jurgensen Woods is currently being restored by our dedicated and passionate team members on the Calumet Conservation Corps crew, with the help of others. Come take a 1 mile nature walk as we view the site and get a chance to have a Q&A with the crew as they explain the work being done and […]
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 […]
Please join us as we walk and share fun facts about the flora at Thatcher Woods as it beds down for winter. We'll also discuss how to keep ourselves active during the colder, late autumn/early winter months. With the trees more barren, birds and other fauna may be seen more easily. We're hoping to spot […]
Come and enjoy the beauty of this preserve along the North Branch of the Chicago River. We'll walk through floodplain and woodland terrain and also get a bird's eye view of the forest from the bike bridge. Difficulty level: The walk will be at a moderate pace on both paved and unpaved trails. The difficulty […]
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. […]
