Photo of outdoor event with people and booths

Connect, Learn and Explore: Dive Into Our Schedule of Events

Friends of the Forest Preserves hosts numerous events throughout the year designed to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the natural wonders of the forest preserves in Cook County.

Guided hikes, educational workshops, wellness programs, volunteer workdays, golf outings, fundraisers, cultural programs, and more await you.

Browse our schedule of events below to learn more.

Events

  • Wellness Tuesdays: Paint and Sip

    Kickapoo Woods Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

    Details for Paint and Sip We will have materials needed, as well as snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to sip on. Event for the whole family.

  • Wellness Wednesdays: Paint and Sip

    Whistler Woods M946+6JQ, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

    Details for Paint and Sip We will have materials needed, as well as snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to sip on. Event for the whole family.

  • Xylem Seed Garden Workdays

    North Branch Xylem Seed Garden 6633 W Harts Road, Niles, IL, United States

    Seeds are the lifeblood of healthy woodlands and prairies. By growing successive generations of species, they help ensure resilient, self-renewing natural areas for years to come. Restoration volunteers hand collect […]

  • Linne Woods Bird Watching

    Linne Woods Linne Woods, Morton Grove, Illinois, United States

    Learn how to identify neighborhood birds at Linne Woods. This event is in partnership with BIPOC Birders.

  • St. Paul Woods Volunteer Workday

    St. Paul Woods is an inviting oak-hickory woodland situated east of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Like many of our native woodlands, it needs management to clear invasive brush […]

  • A Family PEACE Gathering:  Family Camping & Community Celebration

    Dan Ryan Woods Event Pavillion W 87th St & S Western Ave, Chicago, Illinois, United States

    Nature-based peace circles for people of all ages & ethnicities to connect, celebrate, and build community through art, wellness, & play. Join us for an overnight camping experience at Shabonna […]

  • Wellness Tuesdays at Kickapoo Woods

    Kickapoo Woods Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

    Every Tuesday until September 23rd, 2025! Entrance at Halsted, south of 144th St. Riverdale, IL 60827. Stretch and Walks9:00 am – 10:00 am2 mile walk. Walking pace with room for […]

  • Wellness Wednesdays at Whistler Woods

    Whistler Woods M946+6JQ, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

    Every Wednesday until September 24th, 2025! Entrance at 134th St., East of Halsted Ave. Riverdale, IL 60827. Stretch and Walks9:00 am – 10:00 am2 mile walk. Walking pace with room […]

  • Stewardship Volunteer Days – Grigsby Prairie

    Grigsby Parking Location 5R78+XF9, Barrington HIlls, IL, United States

    Come learn about Porcupine Grass and Leiberg’s Panic Grass (aka Prairie Panic Grass) at Grigsby Prairie this Thursday from 9-11am! We will be learning, collecting, and maybe even spreading some […]

  • Stewardship Volunteer Days: Whistler Woods

    Whistler Woods JC4M+8M5, Calumet City, Illinois, United States

    Join us at Whistler Woods for our volunteer days! We will be performing a variety of restoration activities in this woodland and prairie-dominant site. Meet at the end of the parking […]

  • Yoga: Gentle Flow & Mindful Breath

    Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center P8P9+9X, Chicago, Illinois, United States

    Gentle Flow & Mindful Breath: Unwind and restore balance in this 60-minute, outdoor, gentle yoga class, designed to nurture your body and calm your mind. We’ll begin with a series […]

  • Miami Woods and Prairie Volunteer Workday

    The Miami Woods Forest Preserve covers 112 acres stretching along the west side of the North Branch of the Chicago River from Oakton Street northward to Dempster Street.  It is […]

  • Stewardship Volunteer Days: Sand Ridge Nature Center

    Sand Ridge Nature Center JC4M+8M5, Calumet City, Illinois, United States

    Sand Ridge is a woodland and prairie site with a magnificent nature center attached. Join our volunteer crew for a restoration day to help restore our forest preserves. Meet at the pod […]

  • Wellness Tuesdays at Kickapoo Woods

    Kickapoo Woods Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

    Every Tuesday until September 23rd, 2025! Entrance at Halsted, south of 144th St. Riverdale, IL 60827. Stretch and Walks9:00 am – 10:00 am2 mile walk. Walking pace with room for […]

  • Wellness Wednesdays at Whistler Woods

    Whistler Woods M946+6JQ, Riverdale, Illinois, United States

    Every Wednesday until September 24th, 2025! Entrance at 134th St., East of Halsted Ave. Riverdale, IL 60827. Stretch and Walks9:00 am – 10:00 am2 mile walk. Walking pace with room […]

  • Stewardship Volunteer Days – Hill ‘N Dale

    Hill ‘N Dale Office 42°09'33.8"N 88°12'22.3"W, Barrington HIlls, IL, United States

    Come learn about sedges at Hill N Dale this Thursday from 9-11am! We will be learning, collecting, and maybe even spreading some of this seed. No registration required! If you […]

  • Stewardship Volunteer Days – Grigsby Prairie

    Grigsby Parking Location 5R78+XF9, Barrington HIlls, IL, United States

    Come learn about Leiberg’s Panic Grass (aka Prairie Panic Grass), Tussock Sedge and more at Grigsby Prairie this Thursday from 9-11am! We will be learning, collecting, and maybe even spreading […]