No winter hunker down here Check out forest preserve's new lineup of special events, programs

If predictions turn out to be true, 2014-15 could be another big winter … or not. But no matter how much snow and cold we get, the Forest Preserves of Cook County invite you to stay active and keep learning all winter long with its great lineup of exciting winter events.

Of course, the preserves are also open from dawn to dusk for less structured winter activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice fishing, ice skating and more. Learn more at fpdcc.com/recreation/winter.

All forest preserves events are family-friendly and free unless otherwise noted. For a complete list of winter events in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, including nature center programs not listed here, visit fpdcc.com/events.

Major events:

• Happy Canoe Year: 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, Willow Road Dam, north of Forest Way and Willow Road, Winnetka. Experienced paddlers, bring your canoe or kayak and ring in the New Year by paddling down the Chicago River from Willow Road Dam to Linne Woods in Morton Grove. Shuttle runs 8 a.m.-2 p.m. from Linne Woods (Dempster St. and Ferris Ave.) to Willow Road Dam.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: Noon-3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Dan Ryan Woods, 87th & Western, Chicago. Celebrate Dr. King's birthday with service and other activities. Learn about conservation, restoration and invasive species, and help us burn a brush pile.

• Ski Fest: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont. Celebrate cross-country skiing at Sagawau's winter wonderland. Experience groomed trails at this slide-and-glide party for skiers of all levels. Fee for ski rental.

• Darwin Celebration Days: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7 and 8, Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. Celebrate Charles Darwin's birthday. Join and explore adaptation, fitness, selection and survival through activities and displays. Drop-in program for all ages.

• Surf the White Winter Wave: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont. Join for a Polynesian take on winter. After skiing the "frozen wave," relax and enjoy surfing videos and live updates on surf conditions from Oahu's North Shore. Dress Hawaiian and win a prize. Fee for ski rental.

Other events:

• Winter Wellness in the Woods (series): 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, Thatcher Woods, 8030 W. Chicago Ave, River Forest; 7-9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, Dan Ryan Woods, Grove 5, 87th and Western, Chicago. Reap the benefits of exercising outside in nature. Instructor-led workouts will include a variety of winter-related activities. Learn how to dress for exercise in cold conditions. Call (708) 771-1010 for details and to reserve a spot.

• Winter Exploration Days (series): Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan 10, Thatcher Woods, 8030 W. Chicago Ave., River Forest; noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, Dan Ryan Woods, 87th and Western, Chicago. Get outside and enjoy winter in your local preserves. This is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy snowshoe nature hikes, cross-country skiing and sledding (weather permitting). We'll also have winter arts and crafts, a camp fire and more. All ages.

Afterschool outdoor adventures

Calling outdoor adventurers ages 7-12! Meet up for wilderness skill building, hiking, exploring, nature-based art making and more. Space is limited, so call (708) 771-1010 to reserve your spot.

• Winter GPS Hunt: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Caldwell Woods Warming Shelter, 6350 W. Devon Ave., Chicago. It can be difficult to find your way around a bare winter forest. Learn about the benefits of a field GPS unit and how to use one. Then, test your new skills on a coordinate-based scavenger hunt.

• Hiking Etiquette: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, Dan Ryan Pavilion, Grove 5, 87th and Western, Chicago. Be a good trail user. Learn how to read a trail map, identify trailheads, then join us as we explore the trails of Dan Ryan Woods on a guided hike. Dress for the weather.

• Photo Meet-Ups (series): 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland; 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills; 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont. The Forest Preserves of Cook County hosts a series of photo meet-ups for photographers of all skill levels. Each month, one of our naturalists will lead a brief tour of a natural area, highlighting interesting plants, scenic vistas and locations frequented by wildlife. Capture images and share tips with fellow photographers. All cameras are suitable, from SLR to point-and-shoot to smartphone. RSVP to (630) 257-2045.

Third Thursdays:

This monthly series explores nature, art and more. Call (708) 771-1373 for details.

• Building Blocks of Nature: 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan 15, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, 8030 W. Chicago Ave., River Forest. Bring nature play indoors with shelter building, storybooks and animal artifacts.

• DIY Creative Reuse Bird Feeders: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, 8030 W. Chicago Ave., River Forest. Make DIY bird feeders out of recycled materials. We'll make an assortment of feeders and learn about using different foods to attract a variety of birds.

Established in 1914, the Forest Preserves of Cook County is the oldest and one of the largest forest preserve systems in the nation, maintaining 69,000 acres of open land for the education, pleasure and recreation of the public. The Forest Preserves strives to protect and restore the county's diverse ecosystems, so all our unique native plants and animals can live and thrive. Each year, millions of people use these lands and facilities to enjoy or study nature, bicycle, hike, fish, cross-country ski, picnic, golf, canoe, or simply relax in a large preserve that leaves urban life behind. For more information on the Forest Preserves of Cook County, visit fpdcc.com.

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