EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: APRIL 15 – 21

Tuesday, April 16
Birding at Willowbrook — Learn the basics of birding, and search for feathered friends during a leisurely stroll in the Back 40. Bring binoculars. 8 – 9:30 a.m. at Willowbrook Wildlife Center,
525 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Ages 10 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Donation suggested. Registration not required. Call 630-942-6200.

Exploring Watercolors — During this six-part class, explore and enhance your artistic style while painting in a beautiful and relaxed setting. Class meets on Tuesdays April 16 – May 21 at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Sessions for intermediate and advanced students take place 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and sessions for beginner students take place 1 – 3:30 p.m. Adults only. $125 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Wednesday, April 17
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 19
FullersBird Fridays — Join these naturalist-led hikes, and see how the diversity of birds in a forest preserve changes throughout spring. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. Adults only. $6 per person per hike; $40 for a 10-program pass. To register, call 630-850-8110.

Home-Schoolers Nature Hike — Learn about natural and cultural history while exploring a forest preserve. 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Wayne Grove Forest Preserve in Bartlett on Stearns Road one-half mile east of Route 59. Ages 5 and up; under 18 with an adult. $5 per family. Registration begins April 5.
Call 630-942-6200.
 
Saturday, April 20
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.

Helping Hands at Herrick Lake — Celebrate Earth Day by removing litter from a popular forest preserve. 9 a.m. – noon at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton on Butterfield Road two miles west of Naperville 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 days in advance.

Landscaping With Native Plants — Learn how to add native plants to your landscape designs. Topics include sunlight and water requirements, seasonal changes, visual arrangements, and general tips for success. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Adults only. $3 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

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.

Sheep Shearing — Watch as farmhands shear sheep using old-fashioned and modern methods. See skillful herding dogs in action as border collies move the flock in the pasture. And, learn how washed wool becomes spun yarn. 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.

Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday — Help the District’s Habitat Improvement Program by lending a hand at the nursery. Weed and water plant beds, or collect and clean seed. 8 – 11 a.m. at the Grounds and Resources Complex at Blackwell Forest Preserve, 29W220 Mack Road in West Chicago. Ages 12 and up; under 16 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 Wayne Grove Forest Preserve in Bartlett on Stearns Road one-half mile east of Route 59. 1:30 – 4 p.m. at the Parson’s Grove area of Danada Forest Preserve, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. Free. Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. 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 21
Go Green! A Celebration of Conservation — Celebrate conservation through a day of fun while learning how to help change and support our planet. Enjoy hands-on activities, crafts and games, and discover ways to “get your green on” and be eco-friendly. Activities ongoing. Noon – 4 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-850-8110.

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.

Sheep Shearing — Watch as farmhands shear sheep using old-fashioned and modern methods. See skillful herding dogs in action as border collies move the flock in the pasture. And, learn how washed wool becomes spun yarn. 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.

Volunteer Restoration Workday — Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or planting seed. 9 a.m. – noon at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville on Plainfield-Naperville Road one-half mile south of 75th Street. Free. Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. 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.