Welcome all homeschool families! Join other elementary school-aged homeschoolers to experience a naturalist-led field trip at McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove. Adaptations are like superpowers that help a living thing survive in its habitat. A bat using echolocation to hunt, a hummingbird using its long beak
Welcome all homeschool families! Join other middle and high school-aged homeschoolers to experience a naturalist-led field trip at McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove. Students will take a look at the beautiful diversity of spring wildflowers during this seasonal offering. They will review the plant life cycle
March is Women's History Month! Let's celebrate all the boss women from the 17th to 19th century fur trade — the smugglers and traders, the translators and economic powerhouses, the guides and providers who were so much more than the nagging wife portrayed by later historians. Fee:
Spring is breeding season, and the normally timid and elusive woodcock throws off all his inhibitions in an attempt to attract a mate. Waiting for just the right conditions, he moves to the edge of the forest to prepare for his extraordinary courtship sky dance. Join a
Celebrate the upcoming lunar eclipse under the full moon at Whalon Lake. Discover the wonders of a lunar eclipse and unearth the importance of the namesake of this month's moon — the worm moon — while on a night hike with a naturalist. Note: This program does
Join fellow women of the woods on this hike to celebrate women's role in nature. Along the trail, learn about the historical women who have quite literally paved the way. Discover the women blazing their own trails today and explore the paths chosen by women of the
Which city carried the nickname City of Steel and Stone? Joliet's once-thriving industrial plant rivaled Pittsburgh's steel power. Explore the stone foundations that are more than 100 years old. An interpretive naturalist will share the fascinating stories of the men and machines who worked at the Joliet
From the earliest times, Native Americans and pioneers of the Midwest made syrup from the sweet sap of the maple tree. Drop in anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn the process of making maple syrup. Find maple trees tapped on site and even try
Which city carried the nickname City of Steel and Stone? Joliet's once-thriving industrial plant rivaled Pittsburgh's steel power. Explore the stone foundations that are more than 100 years old. An interpretive naturalist will share the fascinating stories of the men and machines who worked at the Joliet
Need a break in your day? We are here for you! Grab your lunch and enjoy warblers with a naturalist. After a long winter, spring is finally here, bringing warblers to our woods. The tricky thing is that most of them look very similar. Learn the subtle
You won't need to sail off through night and day or in and out of weeks. Will County is where the wildflowers are! Anemone, Dutchman's breeches, trillium, hepatica – our wildflowers have stories to tell! Journey to Raccoon Grove, a top spot to seek wildflowers. Join a
Demanding a romantic light, the male woodcock waits until dusk before performing his theatrical display. The woodcock sky dance is quite a sight to see! We will start the evening learning about the American woodcock, then we'll take a hike to see if we can catch a
Spring is here, and it's time for our early bird migrants to arrive! Join us at Plum Creek Nature Center first thing in the morning to see our visiting flyovers. This location is a great stop for birds heading home for the nesting season. All birders are
There is a big, beautiful world of birds, and we are going to learn all about them! Junior naturalists will learn about different species of birds found here in Will County, their calls, their adaptations and some clues to spotting them in the wild. Participants will play
Include Plum Creek Nature Center in your spring break staycation plans! Visit each day from Tuesday to Friday to join in a new adventure. Pack a picnic lunch and extend your day. Hidden beneath the surface of the pond is an abundance of life that awaits discovery.
Include Plum Creek Nature Center in your spring break staycation plans! Visit each day from Tuesday to Friday to join in a new adventure. Pack a picnic lunch and extend your day. On Thursday we fly into the world of flowers and pollinators. Join a naturalist to
We are taking Wild Child on the road this season, visiting different preserves around Will County. Answer the call of your wild child by getting outside with this monthly nature-themed program geared toward children ages 3 to 5. Join a naturalist for hands-on activities such as games,
Include Plum Creek Nature Center in your spring break staycation plans! Visit each day from Tuesday to Friday to join in a new adventure. Pack a picnic lunch and extend your day. On Friday, it's humans vs. wildlife in the challenge of survival. Led by a naturalist,
Kick off spring break with outdoor family fun! Hike with a naturalist through the trees at Messenger Woods. At designated stops along the way we'll pause to try our hand at fun early-spring activities. We might investigate the creek, play animal Simon says, discover the age of
Celebrate International Day of Zero Waste at the Forest Preserve District of Will County! Learn how your everyday choices can — and do — make a big impact! See how small changes can make you a zero waste hero! This program will begin with a presentation followed
Our spring preserve challenge returns with the Bridges of Will County! This ongoing Forest Preserve District of Will County program runs from Tuesday, April 1, to Monday, June 30. This spring, adventure out to five select preserves and find your way to each bridge to earn a
This ongoing program runs from Wednesday, April 2, to Sunday, June 22. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Pollinators are an essential part of the natural world. One in three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators. From butterflies and bees to
This ongoing event will be held Saturdays and Sundays from April 5 to April 27. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To celebrate Earth Month, do a little bit to help your mother (Earth)! Staff at The Tackle Box bait shop at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm
This ongoing Forest Preserve District of Will County program runs from Saturday, April 12, to Sunday, April 27. Preserve hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. Clean out the garage and make a difference by recycling your bicycle! The Forest Preserve District is collecting for Working Bikes, an
This ongoing program runs from Saturday, April 12, to Sunday, April 27. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. Clean out the garage and make a difference by recycling your bicycle! The Forest Preserve District is collecting for Working Bikes(Opens in a new window), an organization that refurbishes and
