Welcome spring in Forest Preserves of Cook County

As days grow longer and signs of spring's imminent arrival begin appearing, residents and visitors will find an abundance of ways to enjoy the season in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Forest Preserves' Spring Guide is brimming with events and programs.

Nature Center visitors can join in on numerous spring-themed events and programs, including guided bird and wildflower hikes, as well as a variety of programs about native plants and animals. The Forest Preserves is also hosting hands-on programs such as Breakout Adventures, Camping 101, Archery 101 and more.

In addition to joining events and programs, visitors can get outdoors during spring and take to the waterways during paddling events, hop on a bicycle and enjoy more than 300 miles of trails, or pitch a tent and spend an evening under the stars while camping at one of the Forest Preserves' campgrounds.

Below is a list of some of the spring-themed events and programs taking place throughout the Forest Preserves of Cook County. For a complete list of events in the Forest Preserves, or to download the spring guide, visit fpdcc.com/events.

Northwest

• Spring Breakout Adventure: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, Rolling Knolls, 11N260 Rohrssen Road, Elgin. Calling all families, friends and youth organizations. Come out and try your hand at all this unique 56-acre preserve has to offer. Archery, exploring biodiversity with guided hikes, fishing in the pond, navigating your way with an orienteering course or practice your Frisbee technique on the 18-hole disc golf course. All equipment provided.

• Spring Symphony: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. Learn what all the singing is about and identify some common tunes of the local bird and frog choruses out on the trail.

• Art in Nature - Mixed Media Wildflowers: 1 p.m. Sunday, April 15, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. Learn how to upcycle and alter your junk into whimsical collage representations of local wildflowers. Taught by artist Karen Sako. Adults and teens only. Registration required; call (847) 381-6592.

• Painting by the Pond -Spring Edition: 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 4, Rolling Knolls, 11N260 Rohrssen Road, Elgin. Explore nature through painting while taking in the Rolling Knolls landscape. Follow along as an instructor leads you step by step in creating a Georgia O'Keefe-inspired painting of spring ephemeral flowers using a large tree slice as your canvas. All painting materials will be provided. Ages 21 and older. BYOB (no glass). Payment required upon registration. Refunds are not available for any reason. Call (708) 386-4042, ext. 26, to register.

• Springtime Slitherers: 1 p.m. Sunday, May 6, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. Come learn about some of the local snakes and their busy springtime activities, then go for a short hike to look for them.

North

• What's in Bloom?: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29, River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Enjoy a walk to observe and learn about some native woodland flowers.

• Mother's Day Wildflower Walk: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13, River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Learn about spring woodland wildflowers on a casual hike.

Central

• Guided Spring Nature Hikes: 1 p.m. Sunday, April 22; 1 p.m. Saturday, May 12; and 1 p.m. Sunday, May 27, Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave, River Forest. Enjoy a naturalist-guided nature hike on the trails to discover signs of spring in the forest preserves, such as wildflowers, baby animals and more. All ages.

• Spring Festival: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 6, Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. Celebrate spring with a day of activities for all ages, including animal encounters, kids' tree climb, guided wildflower walks, netting in the pond, seed planting, building a bird house to take home, and more. For information, call (708) 366-6530.

Southwest

• Spring Fishing Derby: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 14, Papoose Lake, 9823-10357 W. 123rd St., Palos Park. Join for spring fishing and fun. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish caught in different age groups. Registration begins at 8 a.m.; fishing is from 8:30-11 a.m. This is a catch and release event; fishing license not needed.

• Earth Day Wildflower Hike: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs. Check out the array of wildflowers as you walk the White Oak Trail. Hike will just exceed one mile. All ages. Registration required by April 20; call (708) 839-6897.

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