Out & About: Sign up for nature walks, garden tours
Awakening In Nature retreat:
8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Stone Hill Farm, 37W249 Dean St. St. Charles. This retreat will be led by Deborah Marqui, licensed clinical social worker and owner of Healing Gardens. There will be a time of teaching, time for solitude in nature for personal reflection, and time to connect with others in a nonjudgmental atmosphere. Cost is $65; scholarships are available if needed. Bring a sack lunch. Register at www.healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com. Questions? Call or text (630) 740-2697 or email deb@dmarqui.com. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Centering Meditation Walks:
8 to 9 a.m. Friday, July 24, at Mayslake Forest Preserve, on 31st Street, just west of Route 83 and east of Midwest Road/Cass Avenue in Oak Brook. Attendees will head in each of the cardinal directions, making stops for guided meditations and opportunities for reflection, journaling and relaxation. After the walk, spread out and use your experience to create a mandala using supplied materials. Mayslake features 13 acres of wetlands, 9 acres of lakes and ponds and a 15-acre savanna and restored prairie. You must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. It is for ages 18 and up. Cost is $10 per person. Register online at www.dupageforest.org or call (630) 206-9566.
Mayslake Hall Gardens Tour:
9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Mayslake Forest Preserve, on 31st Street, just west of Route 83 and east of Midwest Road/Cass Avenue in Oak Brook. Mayslake Hall. Discover how nature and humans have shaped the land during this guided, outdoor walking tour. You must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. It is for ages 12 and older; under 18 with an adult. Cost is $10 per person. Register online at www.dupageforest.org or call (630) 206-9566.
Howl at the Moon:
8 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area Shelter #2, 2411 N. Route 23, Marengo. Explore Marengo Ridge at night with (or without) your favorite furry friend! Take a self-guided night hike along a 1.25 mile loop. Leashed dogs are invited but not required to enjoy this event. Leave your flashlights at home and let the moon guide the way. The fee for this McHenry County Conservation District program is $2 for county residents or $5 for nonresidents. Registration required by July 27 at www.mccdistrict.org.
Senior Stroll:
10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 6, at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve, 42W797 Rohrsen Road, Hampshire. Seniors are invited to join naturalists with the Kane County Forest Preserve District each month on a leisurely stroll through a Kane County forest preserve. To register, call (630) 444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. No refreshments will be served at this time. Visit kaneforest.com.