Grab some pals to build your team of four and join us for some friendly competition in celebration of Unplug Illinois Day! The statewide initiative encourages people to unplug from their electronic devices and plug into play, creativity, friendship, adventure and family. Come ready to show off
What's better than a night by the water with good music? A night on the water. Live music will play in Monee Reservoir's amphitheater courtesy of The Sting Rays(Opens in a new window). Visitors can take in the tunes on the lawn or on the water. Bring
What is green and yellow, has a hard shell and looks awesome? The Blanding's turtles of Isle a la Cache! Meet some of our ambassador turtles up close as a naturalist will bring one or two turtles from the exhibit tank out for closer viewing. Learn the
Come on out for a night to socialize outdoors and enjoy the beautiful Hickory Creek Preserve and some bingo! Compete for prizes and share some laughs in good company. Feel free to bring dinner or snacks and add some beverages (beer and wine only, please, for alcoholic
Paddles, Play & Popsicles Fee: $20. Age: Ages 13-17. Registration required by Tuesday, July 16, by calling 815-722-9303 or online. Please note: Waivers will be emailed upon registration. Waivers must be signed and returned by a parent or guardian prior to the start of the program. An
Independence Day may be over, but Mother Nature is bringing her own bright explosions to a preserve near you — fireflies! Become immersed in nature at night and experience the bright magic of these beautiful beetles. Discover the science behind these staples of summer and craft a
Rare and mysterious. Exceptionally unique. Wonders of the world. Are these distant lands or fairytales? No, these describe several preserves right here in Will County! On these naturalist-led hikes, discover the plants, animals and land formations that make up some of our most protected sites. Meet the
Fish aren't just for fishing! Discover the world beneath the water at Four Rivers and meet the wide variety of fish found just beyond the banks. Take a closer look at their scales and bones indoors and then hike to their various habitats in hopes of spotting
Gyotaku is the Japanese art of fishing printing. Learn about this awesome art form and then make your own. No fish will be harmed as we will use replicas to create our art. Fee: Free! Age: Ages 12 or older. (Participants younger than 18 must be accompanied
Anglers, you're not dreaming. We are keeping the gates open until dark for nighttime fishing at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm. Fish often become more active at night when the water cools and only the moon lights the sky. Let the kids stay up late and bring the
Independence Day may be over, but Mother Nature is bringing her own bright explosions to a preserve near you — fireflies! Become immersed in nature at night and experience the bright magic of these beautiful beetles. Discover the science behind these staples of summer and craft a
Experience nature like never before! Join the Four Rivers staff at hands-on exploration stations around the preserve. Discover the plants and animals in the woods, water and prairie. Each station will be unique and fully inclusive of all visitors. This day is designed specifically to introduce all
Come out to enjoy nature's fireworks — those blinking, twinkling fireflies! As the sun sets, learn what makes fireflies so special. Surprise — it's more than just their glow! Create some glow of your own before heading out for a hike to get up close to the
Enjoy a morning paddle with certified instructors at the confluence of the DuPage and Des Plaines rivers. Along the way, interpretive naturalists will highlight some of the wonderful things nature has to offer. Fee: $20 per person. Age: Ages 18 or older. Registration required by Tuesday, July
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 your toddler outside with this monthly nature-themed program. Join a naturalist for hands-on activities, such as games, stories, crafts, hikes and more!
Although the lazy days of summer are almost over and it will soon be back to you know where, there is still so much to do outside! Need a little inspiration on how to continue to make the most of the outdoors as your routine changes? We
Have you always wanted to go backpacking but were intimidated by the process? Join a naturalist in this three-part series to learn the basics of backpacking. How to select a sleeping bag? What food to pack? How to choose a location? In this first of the series,
Celebrate National Moth Week with a glowing night hike. Moths make up 90% of the butterfly family, yet most of us can only identify one or two of them. Join a naturalist to discover what makes moths special and why we should celebrate this group of insects.
Have you ever watched wildlife and been amazed at their adaptations? Join a naturalist and test your abilities against a variety of animal adaptations as we compete in our Animal Olympics. Can you run as fast as a coyote or hold your breath as long as a
There is a big, beautiful world of bugs, and we are going to learn all about it! Junior naturalists will learn the difference between insects, bugs, arachnids and arthropods and their roles as local pollinators, decomposers, flyers and crawlers. Participants will make a craft, play a game,
Enjoy a guided reflective experience as you glide on the waters of Lake Chaminwood. Connect to nature through all your senses in an immersive and regenerative way. This isn't just a journey on the water but a time to reflect, recharge and let your stress melt away.
I spy with my little eye a new way to paddle this summer! As the sun sets, enjoy a sensory experience on the waters of Lake Chaminwood. Take part in a series of challenges to discover what you can find along the nooks and crannies of the
Join a naturalist to learn about these often misunderstood fascinating creatures of the night. Learn about our local bat species and find out how they are essential to a healthy ecosystem. As the bats silently leave their daytime roost, we'll use bat-detecting equipment to reveal exactly who
Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot your own hive. Rusnak has more than 18 years of beekeeping experience. Pick up specific beekeeping tips or simply learn more about the world of bees. Fee: Free! Age: All ages.
Celebrate National Night Out at Monee Reservoir with the Forest Preserve District of Will County police officers and other eastern Will County police agencies. See emergency vehicles up close, participate in fun activities and enjoy some delicious snacks. The event enhances relationships between residents and law enforcement