Events

Nature Fun Fest 2026

Nature FunFest

at the Round Lake Area Park District
County: Lake

Join Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, 4-H, the Lake County Nature Network, and the Round Lake Area Park District at this FREE event for all ages.  Activities include…

Milkweed seeds coming out of the pods

Reaping the Harvest: Collection, Processing, and Sowing of Native Seeds

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

Seeds are key for restoring our ecosystems and adding native plants to our yards. As diverse as our native plants are, they are equally diverse in how they disperse their seeds. We'll look at…

-

Purple flowers in a green field
-

Learn to build rain gardens

Presented by the Rainscaping Education Program
County: Champaign
Ready to learn how to build beautiful rain gardens that help manage stormwater? Help protect local waterways while creating beautiful, resilient landscapes.  The East Central Illinois…

Fall leaves with the words Fall Garden Dos and Don'ts

Fall Garden Wrap-up

at Grayslake Area Public Library
County: Lake

Join the Lake County Master Gardeners as we help you put Your Garden to Bed for Winter. Learn the essential fall garden tasks that set the stage for a healthy, thriving spring. From September to…

An older woman standing in the woods with her head tilted back and her eyes closed enjoying the sun on her face.

Conservation Tours

Mindfulness walk with Prairie Land Conservancy
County: Hancock
Mindfulness walks provide multiple health benefits.

Prairie Land Conservancy is your local land trust in west central Illinois! Join them for a Mindfulness Walk at their Stony Hills Nature Preserve…

A yellow finch sitting on top of a purple coneflower

Jardinería para las aves (Landscaping for Birds )

en Español
County: Lake
The University of Illinois Extension Lake County Master Gardeners, SWALCO, and the Lake County Forest Preserve District present the 2026 Garden Learning Series 
 Presented by Marcela…

A hand putting a seed in the ground

Seed Saving Secrets

at Cook Memorial Public Library
County: Lake

Join the Illinois Master Gardeners for this program on saving seeds-  a great way to plan for next year's garden! Some are easy, while others require a little extra care and…

Fall landscape

Nature Wellness Walk-Linne Woods

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…

woman walking in forest

Nature Walks at Illini State Park

County: LaSalle

Join us once a month through October for guided Nature Walks at Illini State Park. Led by a University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist volunteer, each walk will explore a different…

duck in wetland

Birdwatching Hike

Dixon Waterfowl Refuge
County: Putnam
Enjoy a guided hike through the scenic wetlands led by Illinois Extension’s Master Naturalist volunteers.  The 3,000 acre Refuge is home to more than 730 native plant species and 270 bird…