Upcoming Events

Feel the spirit of gospel music come alive during this inspiring annual event. Enjoy a dynamic headliner, local choirs and solo performances.

Join us to experience nature from the water, as participants develop paddling skills while exploring nature. Gain experience using kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.

Explore bird feathers, bones, beaks, and feet through hands-on learning stations before heading outside for a family-friendly bird walk in the preserve.

These live outdoor musical performances begin at 7 pm every Tuesday through August 4 at Independence Grove in Libertyville.

Learn about the native gardens that surround the Ryerson Welcome Center and Ryerson Education Center and are used as a model of sustainable solutions to stormwater management as well as provide an accessible view of pollinator-friendly plants for Environmental Education programming.

Help us manage these gardens by assisting with on-going seasonal needs. Activities dependent on season and include weeding, planting, seed collection, pruning, and watering.

Join us to experience nature from the water, as participants develop paddling skills while exploring nature. Gain experience using kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.

Join us to experience nature from the water, as participants develop paddling skills while exploring nature. Gain experience using kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.

Centered around the picture book, 'We are Water Protectors' by Carole Linstrolm, children will learn about the importance of water in Native cultures through songs, crafts, and stories.

Native moth caterpillars and adults play an essential role in local ecosystems. Discover the importance of moths and how to make your landscape moth-friendly. Native plant selection and sustainable garden maintenance will be discussed.

Únase a un educador ambiental y explore Independence Grove Forest Preserve. Caminata es en español y al aire libre.

Did you know that Eastern Bumblebees beat their wings 200 times per second? If your child is new to the wonderful world of bees or an avid bee enthusiast, this program will help your child learn about native bees in Lake County. Children will learn through hands-on stations, activities, and make a craft to take home.

These live outdoor musical performances begin at 7 pm every Tuesday through August 4 at Independence Grove in Libertyville.

Learn about the role raptors have on the food chain and discover what they eat by dissecting a real owl pellet. Venture outside to meet a live raptor and explore the features that make it a successful hunter.

Join the Lake County Forest Preserves and its Dunn Museum for a FREE event to honor the work of local educators! Teachers will have the unique opportunity to participate in a variety of educational activities, while learning about programs and resources available to them and their students from history and environmental education staff.

Grab some work gloves, help restore the environment, and get a behind-the-scenes look at your preserves! Help our natural communities by removing invasive plants and helping native species thrive.

Join a naturalist and take a leisurely stroll through this beautiful preserve. Learn about the history of this site and take a close look at some of the interesting plants and animals that we come upon. There is a fee for this program.

Join a history educator to learn about the people, the land, and the events of this historic 1840s farmstead on this outdoor guided walking tour.

What is a writer? What do they do that makes them a writer? Award-winning author Kim Sigafus will be giving a presentation on the ins and outs of being a writer. She'll discuss her writing life, how she got started, and what it takes to put someone on the path to becoming an author. Kim will discuss writing myths and truths, and the good, bad, and the ugly regarding indie publishing vs. traditional publishing. A Q&A will follow.

Join us as we learn about the raptors, or birds of prey, that soar the skies in Lake County. Explore what makes raptors different from other birds and discover what species nest in our community. Finally, enjoy a visit from one of the raptor animal ambassadors that call the Lake County Forest Preserves their home.

Gather and listen to a story then meet our resident red-tailed hawk.

Don’t miss a high-energy festival packed with all day live music and performances. Indulge in delicious offerings from local food vendors.

Join Environmental and Museum Educators in solo kayaks to receive a unique look at Adlai E. Stevenson II from the perspective of the Des Plaines River. Learn about the river, the former Illinois governor and ambassador to the United Nations, and the place in Mettawa he called home. Paddle downriver to access and tour this National Historic Landmark. Then paddle back upriver to complete the experience.

Join an Environmental Educator and take a leisurely stroll through one of your preserves. This is a great opportunity to get some exercise and learn about nature. Join us and take a closer look at plants, birds and other wildlife. This is a free program.

Learn and get inspired by monument artists and sculptures across Lake County, including works by Edith Freeman, Lily and Carl Tolpo, and others. Then, tour Carving Out the Future: The Rotblatt-Amrany Studio Story special exhibition and sketch your own original sculpture design.

Learn about the native gardens that surround the Ryerson Welcome Center and Ryerson Education Center and are used as a model of sustainable solutions to stormwater management as well as provide an accessible view of pollinator-friendly plants for Environmental Education programming.

Help us manage these gardens by assisting with on-going seasonal needs. Activities dependent on season and include weeding, planting, seed collection, pruning, and watering.

Enjoy a guided tour of the permanent exhibitions at the Dunn Museum where you will take a closer look at artifacts while hearing stories of how Lake County has changed and developed over time.

Explore bird feathers, bones, beaks, and feet through hands-on learning stations before heading outside for a family-friendly bird walk in the preserve.

Explore nature from a different perspective--on the water in a solo kayak. We will paddle the Lake at Independence Grove, highlighting its unique features and some of its inhabitants. Suitable for beginners, although paddling experience is preferred.

Drop in to discover the fascinating world of butterflies. Learn which flying jewels can be found in Lake county while exploring interactive learning stations and a craft.

Celebrate the life and legacy of Bess Bower Dunn with FREE general admission at the Dunn Museum.

Treat your tastebuds to some of the unique flavors of GlenRock Pop! The GlenRock Promotional Event Trailer will be onsite at the Dunn Museum to help celebrate Bess Bower Dunn Day from 10:00am-4:30pm.

Take part in a celebration of the Pop that became part of the region's identity and the community that brought it back. Learn about the Past, Present, and most importantly, the future of GlenRock Pop from Chief Cook and Bottle Washer Keith Michalek.

Learn about the Museum’s own Bess Bower Dunn through a lecture followed by discussion and the opportunity to look closely at primary sources and other materials associated with Bess. Explore the role of a historian and the relevancy of history preservation today.

Go behind the scenes to learn how we restore native habitats and how you can help ensure they remain healthy forever.

Enjoy an evening of summer birdwatching during the glow of the golden hour when the preserves come alive with avian activity.

Grab a tasty brew with friends at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove while you test your knowledge on Lake County's past and present in a fun and educational trivia game. Your team will be quizzed on nature, history, the forest preserves, and more.

Learn about the native gardens that surround the Ryerson Welcome Center and Ryerson Education Center and are used as a model of sustainable solutions to stormwater management as well as provide an accessible view of pollinator-friendly plants for Environmental Education programming.

Help us manage these gardens by assisting with on-going seasonal needs. Activities dependent on season and include weeding, planting, seed collection, pruning, and watering.