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.
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 northwest of the Nature Center off of the service driveway; register here.
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 lot; registration link here.
With the forecasted rain, we will spend time doing some spring cleaning in the farmhouse barn to prepare for the upcoming growing season. No registration required! If you are interested in signing up for the CFC newsletter for weekly event emails here is that link- https://citizensforconservation.org/get-involved/regular-workdays/ Contact Information: [email protected]
Join BGI at one of our upcoming spring hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that emerges in Spring. Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
Workday where we will remove invasive shrubs with hand tools and place the wood in a brush pile fire. Beginners welcome! No registration required! If you are interested in signing up for the CFC newsletter for weekly event emails here is that link- https://citizensforconservation.org/get-involved/regular-workdays/ Contact Information: [email protected]
Formed by an old loop in the river’s course, lies the Oxbow Prairie. This old oxbow in the Chicago River’s North Branch is a combination of low, wet prairie soils and slightly higher mesic prairie soils. A small open savanna lies on what was once the east bank of the river. The mesic prairie had […]
Join BGI at one of our upcoming spring hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that emerges in […]
Meet at the Penny Rd parking area. Sunday’s event is a walk, visual assessment and discussion. It’s an opportunity to see the spring flowers, thriving and challenged environs. Contact Information: [email protected]
Join BGI at one of our upcoming spring hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that emerges in […]
Join us for a walk to welcome spring, get some fresh air outdoors and look for new signs of life in nature. We’ll likely see some deer grazing. The trees […]
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 […]
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 […]
Summary of Event/Workday- Garlic Mustard Search-and-Pull Registration Link- No registration required! If you are interested in signing up for the CFC newsletter for weekly event emails here is that link- https://citizensforconservation.org/get-involved/regular-workdays/ […]
Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora […]
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 […]
Join the North Branch Restoration Project to restore this oak woodland to its former beauty! This 76-acre site depends on a community of volunteers to remove invasive species, spread native […]
Formed by an old loop in the river’s course, lies the Oxbow Prairie. This old oxbow in the Chicago River’s North Branch is a combination of low, wet prairie soils […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nature-based peace circles for people of all ages & ethnicities to connect, celebrate, and build community through art, wellness, & play. As part of family play, everybody plays! Participants practice […]
Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora […]
Meeting Location- Beverly Lake Trail, Hoffman Estates Summary of Event/Workday- Garlic Mustard Search-and-Pull Contact Information: Ken DeMuth 312-316-5216
Summary of Event/Workday- Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about […]
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 […]
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 […]
Come hang out at Eggers Grove for a fun homeschool meet-up! Every third Thursday of the month from 10am-12pm until June 19, 2025
Summary of Event/Workday- Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that is in bloom along with some bird watching. Meeting Location- Twin Pond Road, Lake Barrington Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
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 seeds of many different species in Forest Preserve sites along the Chicago River North Branch, then distribute them to other less healthy North Branch sites. […]
Join us as we hike and explore the ravines which define the interior of Deer Grove West! The hike will follow the stream which created, and still shape the ravine today. Deer Grove Lake and the Deer Grove Lake Dam will also be on the hike’s route. Architectural remnants from the work done by the […]
Join us as we admire the beauty of the Des Plaines River The final three miles of the Des Plaines River Trail have more lost, abandoned, and mysterious artifacts than any other stretch of the trail; we’ll discuss what these are and how they fit into the modern history of this most urban of urban […]
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 lot.
Nature-based peace circles for people of all ages & ethnicities to connect, celebrate, and build community through art, wellness, & play. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world at Nature Block Party 2025! Join LOLK, Friends of the Forest Preserves, and other organizations and community members for a day of […]
Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that is in bloom along with some bird watching. Meeting Location- S Highland Ave, Barrington Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
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 of slow, flowing asanas (poses) and integrate deep breathing techniques (pranayama) to cultivate inner peace and release tension. This focus on breathwork will help you […]
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 and trees to restore the original structure. With increased sunlight, the wildflowers and grasses will once again add to the beauty of the woods. Join […]
Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that is in bloom along with some bird watching. Meeting Location- Beverly Lake Trail, Hoffman Estates Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
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 conversation & mindfulness. No registration required. Yoga10:00 am – 11:00 amAll levels welcome. Registration not required, but please email us if you will be bringing […]
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 northwest of the Nature Center off of the service driveway.
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 for conversation & mindfulness. No registration required. Yoga10:00 am – 11:00 amAll levels welcome. Registration not required, but please email us if you will be […]
Dan Ryan Woods is an expansive area covering 257 acres of Cook County. The site is home to beautiful woodlands, and flora and fauna that thrive in it. During our volunteer days, you can help preserve these species by removing invasive plants! Join us and learn more here.
Join CFC seed technician Luke Dahlberg in potting up incredible native seedlings. These will one day be plugged into active restoration projects! Registration Link- No registration required! If you are interested in signing up for the CFC newsletter for weekly event emails here is that link- https://citizensforconservation.org/get-involved/regular-workdays/ Contact Information- [email protected]
Join us for a Garlic Mustard Search-and-Pull Adventure! Help protect our woodlands by removing invasive garlic mustard while enjoying the spring beauty of the preserve. If conditions are right, we may also collect and scatter seeds from spring ephemerals as they begin to ripen—supporting the next generation of native wildflowers! Registration Link- No registration required! If […]
Join BGI at our upcoming Sketch and Stroll hike! All are welcome and free to attend, this will be led by a beginner artist All supplies will be provided but please feel free to bring art supplies that you particularly enjoy. We will be going on a short walk admiring and learning all about the […]
Join us for a Garlic Mustard Search-and-Pull Adventure! Help protect our woodlands by removing invasive garlic mustard while enjoying the spring beauty of the preserve. If conditions are right, we may also collect and scatter seeds from spring ephemerals as they begin to ripen—supporting the next generation of native wildflowers! Registration Link- No registration required! If […]
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 bounded on the west side by Caldwell Avenue, Waukegan Road and development at the intersection of Waukegan Road and Dempster Street. The land on the […]
Kickapoo Woods is a site with beautiful wet prairies in Riverdale, IL. During volunteer days, you can get up close and personal with nature performing a variety of restoration activities. Meet at the volunteer kiosk.
Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that is in bloom along with some bird watching. Meeting Location- Oak Knoll Road, Barrington Hills Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
Woodland ephemeral flowers (Spring flowers) are blooming at Deer Grove West. They only bloom in the Spring when the trees’ leaves have not shaded the ground. These beautiful little flowers put on a very colorful show that fades as the trees begin to fill in with leaves. Spring is the time to see this unique […]
Join us for a Garlic Mustard Search-and-Pull Adventure! Help protect our woodlands by removing invasive garlic mustard while enjoying the spring beauty of the preserve. If conditions are right, we may also collect and scatter seeds from spring ephemerals as they begin to ripen—supporting the next generation of native wildflowers! Registration Link- https://www.givepulse.com/event/414183-spring-creek-stewardship-volunteer-days Contact Information- [email protected] or Ken DeMuth 312-316-5216
Join BGI at our upcoming Leadership Class! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be sharing leadership resources and teaching any and all interested in being a part of restoration. Meeting Location- Hill N Dale Farmhouse Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
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 conversation & mindfulness. No registration required. Yoga10:00 am – 11:00 amAll levels welcome. Registration not required, but please email us if you will be bringing […]
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 northwest of the Nature Center off of the service driveway.
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 for conversation & mindfulness. No registration required. Yoga10:00 am – 11:00 amAll levels welcome. Registration not required, but please email us if you will be […]
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 lot.
Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that is in bloom along with some bird watching. Meeting Location- 459 W State Rte 22 Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
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 seeds of many different species in Forest Preserve sites along the Chicago River North Branch, then distribute them to other less healthy North Branch sites. […]
Join BGI at one of our upcoming Warbler and Wildflower Walk hikes! All are welcome and free to attend. We will be admiring and learning all about the incredible flora that is in bloom along with some bird watching. Meeting Location- Oak Knoll Road, Barrington Hills Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
Join the North Branch Restoration Project to restore this oak woodland to its former beauty! This 76-acre site depends on a community of volunteers to remove invasive species, spread native seed, and much more. Large pin oaks are a unique feature of this preserve, which is also home to some beautiful spring ephemerals. Visit The […]