EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: APRIL 1 – 7

Monday, April 1
April Fools’ Adventure — Enjoy some April Fools’ jokes, and go on a search to see what doesn’t belong on an 1890s farm. Activities ongoing. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Basic Design With Collage — Explore basic elements of design by working with magazines and found, altered and re-purposed papers during this six-part class. Class meets 9 – 11:30 a.m. on Mondays
April 1 – May 6 at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Adults only. $125 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Wednesday, April 3
Restoration-in-Progress Tours — Take a docent-guided tour through Mayslake Peabody Estate to learn about the past — and future — of this historic 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion. Tours begin at
11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. All ages. $5 per person. Registration required for group tours. Call 630-206-9588.

Friday, April 4
Sit and Stitch — Enjoy some camaraderie and pick up pointers while you work on your own crocheting, quilting or knitting in the farmhouse. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. Ages 10 and up; under 15 with an adult. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Saturday, April 6
Blacksmithing Demonstrations — Stop by the wagon shed to see the blacksmith repair equipment and demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Restoration-in-Progress Tours — Take a docent-guided tour through Mayslake Peabody Estate to learn about the past — and future — of this historic 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion. Tours begin at
9:30, 10, 11 and 11:30 a.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. All ages.
$5 per person. Registration required for group tours. Call 630-206-9588.

The Return of the Large Predators — Learn the stories and facts behind wolf, cougar and bear sightings in northern Illinois. 1 – 3 p.m. at Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Ages 14 and up. Free. Registration begins March 23. Call 630-942-6200.

Spring Into Volunteering — Show Earth a little kindness, and help clean up one of DuPage County’s most popular preserves. 9 a.m. – noon at Spring Creek Reservoir Forest Preserve in Bloomingdale on Lake Street one-quarter mile east of Glen Ellyn Road. All ages; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

Volunteer Restoration Workday — Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or planting seed. Two sessions: 9 a.m. – noon at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville on Plainfield-Naperville Road one-half mile south of 75th Street. 9 a.m. – noon at West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago on Industrial Drive one-half mile south of Hawthorne Lane. Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

Sunday, April 7
Busy as a Bee — Learn how to plant a bee-friendly garden, examine a hive, meet beekeepers, and get a taste of honey in this one-hour program. Sessions at 9:30, 10, 10:30 and 11 a.m. and 12:30, 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30 and 3 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. Ages 7 – 12 with an adult. $6 per person. To register, call 630-876-5900.

Fishing for Trout — Learn different methods of trout fishing. Noon – 2 p.m. at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Butterfield Road one mile east of Route 59. Ages 6 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Registration begins March 25. Call 630-933-7248.

Meet the Beekeepers — Learn about beekeeping equipment and the important role that bees play in our food supply. Then, ask the beekeepers your questions about honey and bees. Demonstrations ongoing. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.