Events

Native Landscape Design Workshop

Vermilion County
County: Vermilion
Transform your garden into a pollinator-friendly, sustainable haven with the Native Landscape Design Drawing Workshop! This program will guide participants in redesigning a defined garden area in…
An owl sitting on a branch by an owl nest box

Birds of Prey

at Zion - Benton Public Library
County: Lake

Join us as we learn about birds of prey and dissect an owl pellet!

Program is open to kids from 2nd-5th grade.

Registration is required and limited to 20 kids.

worms in soil

Jumping Worms: Understanding and Managing a New Invader in Our Soils

Hosted by Wild Ones Lake-to-Prairie Chapter and the University of Illinois Extension
County: Lake

A new soil invader is reshaping ecosystems across the Midwest, and communities in Illinois are beginning to feel the impact. Jumping worms (Amynthas spp.) (a rapidly spreading group of invasive…

A person putting food scraps into a compost bin

Compost! Feed the Soil That Feeds Us

Presented by: The University of Illinois Extension Lake County Master Gardeners, SWALCO, and the Lake County Forest Preserve District
County: Lake

Learn about the wonders of compost! Merleanne Rampale from SWALCO, a long-time gardener and composter herself, will share information on the various types of composting, share some fun facts on…

people hiking

Mindfulness Hike at Springdale Cemetery

County: Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell

Slow down, step outside, and reconnect with the present moment. 
Join us for a series of guided Mindfulness Hikes designed to help you unwind, sharpen your senses, and deepen your…

volunteers assisting with garlic mustard pull

Garlic Mustard Pull

County: Johnson
Friends of the Shawnee National Forest, Shawnee National Forest, and Illinois Extension are partnering up to host garlic mustard pulls on April 10 and April 17 at Trigg Tower. We will meet on these…

Gardenfest ready, set, grow

Gardenfest - ready, set, grow

McHenry County
County: McHenry

Explore the latest gardening trends, techniques, and tools during this daylong series of seminars for gardeners of every skill level.

Held annually, Gardenfest is sponsored by McHenry County…

a journal with pressed flowers

Nature Journaling: Intro to Nature Journaling

County: Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell
Facilitator: Sarah SmithDate: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Rain Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026Location: Forest Park Nature Center
5809 N Forest Park Dr., Peoria Heights…

Bluff overlooking river bottoms

Little Grand Canyon Spring Hike and Bird

County: Jackson
Explore the Little Grand Canyon Trail loop on this interpretive hike with moderately difficult terrain and often slick rocks of around 3 miles. We’ll start at 9:30am and end at approximately 1:00pm…
Prairie Grass with Flowers

April Nature Wellness Walk

Immerse yourself and reconnect with nature and all the beauty it has to offer! Relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices will be led by certified forest bathing guides during these slow and…