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Spring Break Staycation: Animal Adaptations

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

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,

Spring Break Staycation: Pollination Pals

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

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

Early Bird Hike

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

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

Maple Syrup Magic

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

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

Nature Play After Hours: Magnificent Mammals

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

March is all about mammals! What are mammals and what makes them special? Let's find out what makes them truly magnificent! Join us for this nature-themed program series for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers. Fee: Free! Age: Ages 3-5. Children must be accompanied by a registered

Holiday Owl Prowl for Adults

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Who goes there? Winter may seem like a quieter time for birds, but it is a special time for owls in our woods! Join us to learn about the owls of Will County and what makes this time of year special to listen for them. After an

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Full Moon Hike & Stories

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

December's full moon has many names, including the storytelling moon. Bundle up for a night of wonder hearing moon lore and legend while hiking a moonlit trail. Then share your own stories while roasting moon pies over a campfire. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. This program takes

Nature Play Day: The Snow Day

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers to enjoy together! Although the temperature has dropped, we can still find lots of outdoor activities. We'll learn about snowflakes and snow and spend time outdoors making our own wintery adventures. Be prepared

Caroling Campfire

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Do you hear those bells jingling and ring ting tingling too? Come on, it's lovely weather for a cozy campfire with you! Bring the family for a night of spreading cheer by singing loudly for all to hear around this winter campfire. We will sing holiday songs,

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Meet a Beekeeper

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot. 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. No registration required.

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Sensory Search

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Pumpkin Smash

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Come smash and bash and save the earth! Choose how your jack-o'-lantern will meet its demise —pounded to a pulp, rolled into a heap or dropped over a railing. It's going to be a smashing good time! Work up an appetite smashing your pumpkin then enjoy roasting

Nature Play Day: Mushrooms & More

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers to enjoy together! The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out

Nature Play Day After Hours: Mushrooms and More

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds. The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out the important jobs they do. Fee:

Meet a Beekeeper

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot. 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. No registration required.

Fall Colors Hike

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Fall in the forest is an experience of the senses. The air feels cool and crisp with hints of earthy smells. The trees are a collage of oranges, yellows and reds until their leaves turn brown, fall and become crunchy under your feet. Embrace these natural wonders