Ignite the Night

Be prepared to spend a glorious evening under the stars, great food and drink, GIANT Bonfire, hayrides, tours of the preserve, wildlife demonstration and so much more!

Calumet Free Nature Events

6 Free Events between August 23-October 25!Friends of the Forest Preserves and our partners bring you a series of free recreational events in the Calumet region! Bring your family to canoe, bike, and fish around the beautiful Calumet River region. In partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Friends of the Chicago River, Friends of […]

Photo Contest Reception in Blue Island

Please join us for a reception honoring our 2014 photo contest winners! We will display all twelve winners at Franklin Framing in Blue Island. Appetizers, beer, wine, and soda will be provided. Best of all, the whole reception is free, so bring a friend! What: Reception honoring our twelve 2014 photo contest winners, includes free appetizers, […]

Photo Contest Reception in Evanston

Please join us for a reception honoring our 2014 photo contest winners! We will display all twelve winners at Frame Warehouse in Evanston. Appetizers and drinks will be provided. Best of all, the whole reception is free, so bring a friend! What: Reception honoring our twelve 2014 photo contest winners, includes free appetizers and drinks […]

Open Spaces, Green Places: A Bus Tour of the Calumet

Saturday, April 11, 10 am – 2 pm The Calumet Region is a contrast between heavy industrial lands and rare protected public open spaces. This FREE bus tour will visit a range of public open spaces, including Big Marsh, Lake Calumet, Pullman National Historic Site, Powderhorn Prairie Nature Preserve and more while passing current and […]

Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day by joining a restoration day at forest preserves throughout Cook County! Get outside and give back to your community and nature. We welcome all volunteers, experts and novices! Just make sure to wear long sleeves and pants and comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting a little dirty. Gloves and tools will be […]

Spring Wildflower Hike through Palos

Join Friends of the Forest Preserves for a 3 hour hike through the Palos preserve, the largest forest preserve in Cook County! Learn how to identify spring wildflowers, and get the 411 on habitat restoration and how you can volunteer and give back to your community. Water and snacks are included for free! Friends will […]

Canoe on Powderhorn Lake

Saturday, May 16, 10 am - 1 pm You can canoe! Perfect for beginners and youth. FREE! We provide all the equipment. Nestled in Powderhorn Prairie Nature Preserve, Powderhorn Lake is clean and calm, surrounded by a beautiful forest preserve. Visit a beaver lodge. Every participant gets a pair of binoculars to keep. Who knows […]

Swing for Sustainability Open

Golf at our annual Swing for Sustainability Open!At the Forest Preserves’ premier course: George W. Dunne National Golf Course 16310 Central Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois 60452 Friday, June 5th 12:30 registration and range, 2 pm shotgun start Play your own ball, Peoria scoring system. Ticket includes: Greens fees Range balls On-the-course drinks Open-bar reception Dinner with […]

Bike the Salt Creek Trail

Join Friends of the Forest Preserves for a 3 hour bike ride along the Salt Creek Trail, one of the best trails in the Cook County forest preserves. Learn about our recent successful campaign to expand the trail, hear from a Brookfield Zoo representative, and learn how you can volunteer and give back to your community. Water and […]

Peace Yoga at Thatcher Woods

Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and the Peace School for a one-hour yoga class next to the Thatcher Woods Pavilion in River Forest. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, experience the forest preserves from a whole new angle.

Busse Woods Night Ride

Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove for the first ever after-dark bike ride through Ned Brown Preserve, more popularly known as Busse Woods! Explore the expansive preserve on the eight-mile bike trail that winds through meadows, woods, and along the shore of the 640-acre lake. Enjoy live music, a bonfire, wildlife exhibits, and more!