Swallow Cliff is a landscape of hills, ravines, lakes, and marshes created by the retreat of the last glaciers to cover the area. Volunteers strive to restore the natural biodiversity that existed prior to settlement and the proliferation of non-native plants. Restoration activities include the removal of invasive species like honeysuckle and buckthorn, and the […]
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 […]
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. […]
The Yellow Trail - the trail we will be primarily walking - was rated the best trail in Illinois by Backpacker Magazine. The trails are in great shape and currently the wild geraniums and the woodland phlox are in full bloom! The walk will take approximately 2 hours and will be 3-4 miles in length, […]
Come volunteer to restore native habitat! Filled with prairie, oak woodlands and wetlands, the Poplar Creek region in Northwest Cook County needs you. You will be given the opportunity to pursue restoration activities such as brushcutting, lopping, brush pile burn building, weed pulling, and seed planting - all while meeting others in the community. No previous […]
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 […]
You're invited to explore this wonder-filled nature center here with us. After the group finishes viewing the animals indoors we'll head outdoors to hike the Black Oak Trail. This trail goes through a nice forest filled with native plants and oak trees. Near the end of the hike the trail passes by the Longjohn Slough […]
Registration is open! Tickets are $175 individual / $700 foursome At the Forest Preserves’ premier course: George W. Dunne National Golf Course 16310 Central Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois 60452 Friday, June 7, 2024 12:30 p.m. registration and range 2 p.m. shotgun start, best ball Ticket includes * Greens fees and cart * Range balls * […]
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 rivers. Along the way, we’ll also talk about water quality, habitat conditions […]
Únase a Friends of the Forest Preserves y Chicago BIPOC Birders para una aventura de observación de aves por la mañana para buscar aves de los pantanos y otras especies del bosque. Esta caminata se realizará en español e inglés. Nos reuniremos en el Comfort Station. Join Friends of the Forest Preserves and Chicago […]
Come volunteer to restore native habitat! Filled with prairie, oak woodlands and wetlands, the Poplar Creek region in Northwest Cook County needs you. You will be given the opportunity to pursue restoration activities such as brushcutting, lopping, brush pile burn building, weed pulling, and seed planting - all while meeting others in the community. No previous […]
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. […]
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 […]
Come volunteer to restore native habitat! Filled with prairie, oak woodlands and wetlands, the Poplar Creek region in Northwest Cook County needs you. You will be given the opportunity to pursue restoration activities such as brushcutting, lopping, brush pile burn building, weed pulling, and seed planting - all while meeting others in the community. No previous […]
Explore the open savanna as we hike and enjoy Bemis Woods North and Bob Mann Woods scenery! Please join us as we explore the woodland trail to observe both the flora and fauna of the woodlands surrounding Salt Creek. Walks are held every third Sunday until November Challenge Level: Easy to moderate at a steady […]
Join us for a fun and educational day out in nature starting at 10:00 AM. This event is a great opportunity for homeschoolers to socialize, learn, and explore the beautiful surroundings of Eggers Grove. Located in a peaceful natural setting, Eggers Grove offers a perfect backdrop for outdoor activities and learning experiences. Come and connect […]
Join us for a nature walk in the woods while we work on some seed tasks. Attendees will walk through some areas less frequented by visitors. The group will spread some native seed in various habitats in the preserve. Along with sowing seeds we'll collect seeds from 2 or 3 species of native plants as […]
Come volunteer to restore native habitat! Filled with prairie, oak woodlands and wetlands, the Poplar Creek region in Northwest Cook County needs you. You will be given the opportunity to pursue restoration activities such as brushcutting, lopping, brush pile burn building, weed pulling, and seed planting - all while meeting others in the community. No previous […]
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 […]
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. […]
Family Canoeing on the Little Calumet River with Friends of the Forest Preserves and Friends of the Chicago River. Come join us for a fun-filled day of canoeing on the beautiful Little Calumet River at Kickapoo Woods! This event is perfect for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors together. Get ready to bond with your loved ones while exploring the […]
Family Canoeing on the Little Calumet River with Friends of the Forest Preserves and Friends of the Chicago River. Come join us for a fun-filled day of canoeing on the beautiful Little Calumet River at Kickapoo Woods! This event is perfect for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors together. Get ready to bond with your loved ones while exploring the scenic […]
Come volunteer to restore native habitat! Filled with prairie, oak woodlands and wetlands, the Poplar Creek region in Northwest Cook County needs you. You will be given the opportunity to pursue restoration activities such as brushcutting, lopping, brush pile burn building, weed pulling, and seed planting - all while meeting others in the community. No previous […]
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 […]
Deer Grove is the nation’s first forest preserve. On Tuesday, July 2, at 10 a.m. tour historic Deer Grove East and see the prairies, wetlands, woods, and savannas that volunteers have been restoring since 2011. Difficulty level: Our hike will be on paved trails and single-track dirt paths. There are no steep grades or difficult […]
Come volunteer to restore native habitat! Filled with prairie, oak woodlands and wetlands, the Poplar Creek region in Northwest Cook County needs you. You will be given the opportunity to pursue restoration activities such as brushcutting, lopping, brush pile burn building, weed pulling, and seed planting - all while meeting others in the community. No previous […]
