Spring ephemerals are wildflowers that appear for only a few weeks each year, so you need to be alert if you're going to sneak a peek. You can find them throughout the forest preserves in Cook County at various times from early April through early June. Look for spring beauty, blood root, Virginia bluebells, and […]
By May, most amphibian species in Cook County have begun breeding. Throughout the forest preserves and beyond, toads, frogs, and salamanders spend the winter hiding under logs, in rotten wood, or in any hidden crevice with protection from the cold. Some frogs, like the Wood Frog, can even freeze solid in the winter and be […]
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 […]
Join us as we walk the segment of the Des Plaines River trail between Central and Euclid! This stretch is from Beck Lake to Camp Pine Forest in Des Plaines. This is a there and back route, 2 miles one way and 2 the other. We'll start out on the green trail then go north […]
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 […]
Discover the history behind the first nuclear reactor in the world. We will cover the atomic age during WWII, the impact on the Forest Preserve Site M, and the closure, clean up and reopening of Red Gate Woods. Depending on trail conditions, a brief trail hike will follow. The trail is single file on rugged […]
Registration is open! Tickets start at $150 individual / $600 foursome We offer various ticket levels so that you can show some extra love for Friends and our work - we appreciate your generosity. At the Forest Preserves’ premier course: George W. Dunne National Golf Course 16310 Central Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois 60452 Friday, June […]
There are so many different ways you can enjoy being out in the forest preserves! Visit Eggers Grove Forest Preserve with us as Donisha Reed, of Wealthy Living Coaching and Consulting, LLC, guides us in Slow Flow Vinyasa Yoga.* We will then take a short walk to observe the natural space around us. You won’t […]
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 […]
Please join us as we look for birds and odonates a.k.a. dragonflies and damselflies. Let’s see how many species we can find! Difficulty level: intermediate-advanced hikers. Watersmeet Woods has few, if any, paved trails, so we will be hiking on rough terrain. Please plan accordingly. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Parking: Street parking is available […]
There are so many different ways you can enjoy being out in the forest preserves! Visit Whistler Woods with us as Donisha Reed, of Wealthy Living Coaching and Consulting, LLC, guides us in Slow Flow Vinyasa Yoga.* We will then take a short walk to observe the natural space around us. You won’t want to […]
You've probably heard the saying "stop and smell the roses," but what about the milkweed? Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) begins blooming in June and hits its peak in July. Their large pink flower clusters produce a strong, sweet aroma that attracts pollinators, and sometimes humans as well. Milkweed is well-known for its importance to monarch […]
Please join us as we explore the ecology of the Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve. We will discuss ecological restoration and how it has positively impacted this beautiful site! The majority of the trail is paved (a small section is not). During the walk we’ll cover the following topics, among others: Differences between invasive and native […]
*This walk was originally scheduled for June 20, but was postponed to June 27 due to excessive heat.* This guided hike will explore how both working and retired adults can help restore the forest preserves by volunteering in the woods. The format will be similar to a "walk & talk." We will walk to the […]
