We are excited to invite you to our upcoming community "Hike in Spanish" event that we will be partnering on with the Lake County Forest Preserve District this upcoming Saturday, June 07th from 9:30 am to 10:45 am at Fort Sheridan, 1275 Gilgare Lane, Lake Forest, IL, 60045. Join us and explore a new local forest preserve with an environmental educator.

Do you enjoy crafting and giving back to the community? If so, please join us in this upcycled bird making workshop that will help contribute to raising awareness about bird collision deaths.

The birds made will be part of the Idea Box exhibit Crossing Paths: Migrating Birds and You, created by the Brooks Earth Action Team (BEAT) led by Laura Stamp. After their stay in the Idea Box (May 1-12), the birds will be mailed to artist Holly Greenberg to become part of her project to make 10,836 birds.

On Sat., March 8: from 5-8:00 pm from the edges of the world, come explore polar photography and learn about conservation efforts at a community event to support Polar Bears International and honor International Women's Day with women leaders. Held at Aglaïa Coffee & Tea Co., 925 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago with street parking or close public transportation.

From Forest Preserves Cook County: Build your own walking stick using buckthorn, an invasive species. Ages 12-17 w/adult. Ages 12 & up.

Please join us for "Rare and Showy Plants of the Chicago Region and the Habitats that Support Them" with Christopher Benda, The Illinois Botanizer, on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 2:30 pm (Central Time).

From Forest Preserves Cook County: Teens & families, give back this MLK day. Join us for a litter clean up in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Drop-in event. Grove 10.

From Forest Preserves Cook County: Learn about creative reuse methods and mending techniques. Give items a second life by turning them into an ornament, decoration or bird feeder. Supplies provided or bring your own.

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

Elevate Your Birdwatching Skills—Join Our Identifying Bird Songs Workshop!

Passionate about birds? Whether you’re a novice or looking to sharpen your skills, our Bird Songs Bird ID workshop is perfect for you. Learn how to identify common bird species and enhance your birdwatching experience with expert guidance.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow bird enthusiasts and refine your bird identification skills.

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

WHoo’s calling out in the dark of night? Listen for owls. Ages 10 & up.

As the sun sets, we’ll guide you through the forest preserves on a twilight expedition, learning about these fascinating nocturnal creatures. With expert naturalists leading the way, you’ll have a chance to hear owl calls, spot wildlife, and experience the magic of the forest after dark.

From Oak Park Library

If you missed our Bee Love and Honey event last year - we are excited to share that Debbie Becker, local Oak Park Beekeeper will be back to demonstrate a BEE-hind the scenes look at how honey is harvested. A tasting of the honey will be offered. No live bees will be present. This is a family-friendly, drop-in event. We hope you'll BEE there!

Reduce stress and open up to a sense of awe, connection, and well-being with the practice of forest therapy aka forest bathing. Certified forest therapy guide Sarah Abu-Absi will lead the group in gentle mindfulness practices to reconnect to nature and ourselves. We will be sitting or laying down on the grass much of the time. Bring a blanket, chair or mat. More info at www.thatforestfeeling.com. 

Please Note: This event is limited to 15 participants. Registration is required. More information will be sent to registered participants.

From Oak Park Public Library

Program Description

Event Details

Reduce stress and open up to a sense of awe, connection, and well-being with the practice of forest therapy aka forest bathing. Certified forest therapy guide Sarah Abu-Absi will lead the group in gentle mindfulness practices to reconnect to nature and ourselves. We will be sitting or laying down on the grass much of the time. Bring a blanket, chair or mat. More info at www.thatforestfeeling.com. 

Please Note: This event is limited to 15 participants. Registration is required. More information will be sent to registered participants.

Disclaimer(s)

Physical Activity

By joining this class, you declare that you are physically fit and ready to participate and understand any physical activity may involve some risk of injury. You may rest at any time during the class. It is your responsibility to consult with your physician with respect to any past or present injury, illness, health problem, or any other condition or medication that may affect your participation.

The participant assumes all risks of injury and illness that may result from such participation. The participant agrees to waive and release the Oak Park Public Library, its officers, employees, trustees, and agents and shall hold such persons/entity harmless from any and all liability for any claim, suit, or other cause of action which might arise from injuries, illness, damages, or loss which may occur on account of participation in such activities.

Reduce stress and open up to a sense of awe, connection, and well-being with the practice of forest therapy aka forest bathing. Certified forest therapy guide Sarah Abu-Absi will lead the group in gentle mindfulness practices to reconnect to nature and ourselves. We will be sitting or laying down on the grass much of the time. Bring a blanket, chair or mat. More info at www.thatforestfeeling.com. 

Please Note: This event is limited to 15 participants. Registration is required. More information will be sent to registered participants.

From Oak Park Public Library

Program Description

Event Details

Reduce stress and open up to a sense of awe, connection, and well-being with the practice of forest therapy aka forest bathing. Certified forest therapy guide Sarah Abu-Absi will lead the group in gentle mindfulness practices to reconnect to nature and ourselves. We will be sitting or laying down on the grass much of the time. Bring a blanket, chair or mat. More info at www.thatforestfeeling.com. 

Please Note: This event is limited to 15 participants. Registration is required. More information will be sent to registered participants.

Disclaimer(s)

Physical Activity

By joining this class, you declare that you are physically fit and ready to participate and understand any physical activity may involve some risk of injury. You may rest at any time during the class. It is your responsibility to consult with your physician with respect to any past or present injury, illness, health problem, or any other condition or medication that may affect your participation.

The participant assumes all risks of injury and illness that may result from such participation. The participant agrees to waive and release the Oak Park Public Library, its officers, employees, trustees, and agents and shall hold such persons/entity harmless from any and all liability for any claim, suit, or other cause of action which might arise from injuries, illness, damages, or loss which may occur on account of participation in such activities.

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

When the sale commences, trees & shrubs are available by pre-order only.

• Preorder at  West Cook Shopify

• Schedule a pickup time for an order at SignUpGenius. Pick-up is October 5, 2024. 

• Volunteer for the sale at SignUpGenius

Comprehensive information about the sale at West Cook  2024  Fall Tree and Shrub Sale

A healthy landscape has layers: a grass and forb layer, a shrub layer, and a tree or canopy layer. From layering comes strength.

Together, the three layers render nooks, crannies, nest holes, coverts, edge effects, niches, niches, and more niches to encourage biocommunity

From Oak Park Public Library

Interested in greening your home or lifestyle but feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start? Come join us for this event--part presentation, part information fair--to hear stories and ask questions of your neighbors who have taken various green steps. Brief presentations will be followed by an opportunity to drop by presenters' tables to ask questions and get more information. Topics to be covered include: home audits, insulation, solar panel installation, Community Solar programs for house & condo owners & renters, heat pumps and induction cooking.

Presented by Arbor West Neighbors in collaboration with the library. Registration recommended.

From Friends Of The Oak Park Conservatory

Thursday, Sept 19, 7:00-8:00P                    

Not only do shrubs provide a great backdrop for other plants in your garden, but they can also stabilize the soil and create a habitat for wildlife. Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory as we welcome a speaker from West Cook Wild Ones to learn about native shrubs and alternatives to those that are invasive. 

Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON)

This is a FREE, virtual event.  A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the lecture.

From West Cook Wild Ones

Explore the ecological and aesthetic advantages of hedges and hedgerows in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows” with Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project.

Native hedgerows are diverse plantings of woody plants from shrubs to small trees along with herbaceous groundcovers at their base.  Learn how these low-maintenance and sustainable plantings of shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can enhance biodiversity, provide critical habitats for wildlife, and contribute to climate resilience. Discover practical tips for designing and implementing hedgerows in various landscapes, from farms to urban settings, and understand their role in supporting pollinators, birds, and soil health. 

To register and for more information Click Here!

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

Sat, September 7 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Join the Forest Preserves of Cook County for a paddling event at Kickapoo Woods! This FREE event offers a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the natural area while engaging in a fun and relaxing paddling experience.

To register please email Gloria Orozco at gloria@fotfp.org