Birds and Bikes on the Major Taylor Trail

Join us for a FREE guided bike ride from the oak woodlands of Dan Ryan Forest Preserve to the riverside savanna of Whistler Forest Preserve as we search for birds! Look for ducks as we cross the Little Calumet River or we might spot a Bald Eagle! Meet at the 83rd St. parking lot in […]

Shrub Planting at Portage Woods

9am - 12pm Chicago Portage Historical Site 4800 Harlem Ave., River View, IL 60402 Help us plant native shrubs to increase bird habitat! This includes digging holes for the shrubs, mulching, watering, and then fencing in the shrubs. We have a lot of shrubs - help us plant all of them! All tools and supplies […]

Crystal Leaf Awards

6pm - 8pmBUY TICKETS - Just $50! Join our Friends community for the Crystal Leaf Awards Reception 2016 as we honor two of our founding members: Debra Shore, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner and Stephen Packard, conservationist. Mr. Packard and Ms. Shore have worked tirelessly to improve the forest preserves in Cook County while mentoring many in our community to […]

Somme Winter Solstice Bonfire & Celebration

This annual tradition in the woods will include a GIANT bonfire and a bagpiper!Please bring snacks to share. Festivities start at 2pm at Somme Woods East and is completely FREE! See map. Contact Josh Coles at josh@fotfp.org for more information.

8th Annual Photo Contest Exhibit

Please join Friends to celebrate the beauty of the forest preserves as seen through the lenses of photographers in our community.Friday, May 12th, 2017 6 PM - 8 PM Franklin Framing 13019 S. Western Ave. Blue Island, IL 60406 Refreshments will be served. This event is free. Donations will be accepted at the door. You can […]

Swing for Sustainability 2017

Join us for our annual Swing for Sustainability Open!Reserve your spot today! $150 individual / $600 foursome At the Forest Preserves’ premier course: George W. Dunne National Golf Course 16310 Central Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois 60452 Friday, June 9th, 2017 12:30 registration and range, 2 pm shotgun start, best ball Reserve your spot today! $150 individual […]

North Branch Trail Bike Ride

Bike from Blue Star Memorial Woods in Glenview to the Skokie Lagoons and back with Friends of the Forest Preserves! We will stop for a snack at the lagoons and chat about the ecology of the preserves we have just traveled through. Meet at the Blue Star Memorial parking lot for a prompt departure at […]

Busse Woods Night Ride 2017

6:00PM - 11:00PMThe 3rd Annual Busse Woods Night Ride is bigger and better than ever! Please join us for your one chance to ride through the forest preserves at night. Busse Woods, Elk Grove, Illinois New this year! Historical Wave, taking you to places of cultural and geographical significance. Led by Elk Grove expert Michael […]

Beer in the Woods

1pm - 5pm Please join Friends of the Forest Preserves for our first ever Beer in the Woods event, a fundraiser featuring craft beer and cider. Come sip beer in LaBagh Woods, a haven for nature enthusiasts, on the north side of Chicago. Also enjoy a rare beer tent with rotating beers, live music, live […]

Hike it Baby – A Spooky Saturday on the Des Plaines River Trail

11 am - 1 pm Join us for our first Halloween-Hike it Baby-costume hike. Grab a comfortable costume and your hiking boots, and let's explore. We will let the kids set the pace, and aim to hike out for 30-45 minutes, take a picnic break at the Fullerton Woods Family Picnic Area, and return to […]

MLK Day of Service at Blue Star Memorial Woods

This event is FREE, but please register to help us plan the day. 10 am - 1 pm Blue Star Memorial Woods, Glenview, IL 60025 (Lake Ave. entrance, between Wagner and Harms Rd.) Join your community to make the world a better place! At this special workday in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. […]

Community Bonfire & Workday at Clayton Smith Flatwoods

This event is FREE, but please register to help us plan the day. 10 am - 1 pm Clayton Smith Flatwoods 6639 W. Harts Rd., Niles, IL 60714 Escape your cabin fever and get outside! We’ll have a community bonfire after cutting invasive brush. Join us for some work, treats, and inspiration that will warm […]