Forest Preserve District of Will County

This ongoing program runs from Wednesday, May 1, to Friday, May 31. Preserve hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. Take part in the inaugural Four Rivers bird photography competition! Submit your picture of a migratory bird at McKinley Woods for a chance to win a gift certificate

This ongoing program runs from Wednesday, May 1, to Friday, May 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Enjoy this monthlong celebration of our migratory birds! Festivities will include ongoing crafts, family-friendly activities and hands-on exploration of

This ongoing program runs from Thursday, May 23, to Friday, June 7. Preserve hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. Travel along Four Rivers’ Woodland Loop Trail and discover the remarkably unique life cycle of the periodical cicada. “Cicada Symphony,” written by Sue Fleiss, is rhythmic, engaging and

In shell-ebration of World Turtle Day on May 23, an interpretive naturalist will give an informative presentation on the different turtle species that can be found in Will County, followed by a feeding of our resident Blanding’s turtles. No registration required. Free. All ages welcome Isle a

Join us for a women's camping weekend to connect with nature and friends new and old! Take time to unplug and enjoy the outdoors with camping, hiking, evening campfires, camp cooking, outdoor skills, mindfulness activities and more. This three-day, two-night campout is held in a safe, supportive

It's summer vacation time, but humans aren't the only animals that travel. Whether a short leap or a long migration, wildlife is also on the go! Hike the shoreline of Snapper Pond to follow Travel Tales, an outdoor exploration trail. Ten resident animals are featured at the

Come on out for a night to socialize outdoors and enjoy the beautiful Prairie Bluff 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, including beer or wine, to enjoy while

Get a head start on celebrating Pollinator Week 2024 at this family-friendly event! Learn about the insects and animals that perform the important task of pollinating plants, especially those that provide us with much of the food we eat. See live animals and learn about their roles

They’ve been waiting under your feet for 17 years, and now they are emerging! Come out to Isle a la Cache and dig into all things cicadas. This is a drop-in program; come any time between 1 and 3 p.m. No registration required. Free. All ages welcome.

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!

Celebrate summer nights with the second of this year's Fun & Food Trucks events. Eat eclectic local foods in the preserve while having a blast participating in a variety of activities. This event will offer something for the entire family, including live music, outdoor lawn games and

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

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