EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: APRIL 22 – 28

Monday, April 22
Art Appreciation — Learn the various ways of understanding visual arts and their roles in global traditions in this seven-part class that includes a field trip. Class meets 7 – 8:30 p.m. on Mondays
April 22 – June 10 (except May 27) at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Adults only. $125 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Forest Fitness Walk — Join a naturalist for a brisk weekly walk, and enjoy some exercise as you take in the wonders of the woods. 8:30 – 10 a.m. at Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville on 79th Street one-half mile west of Greene Road. Adults only. Free. To register, call 630-850-8110.

Teen Open Art Studio — Enhance your techniques in pastels, acrylic paint, watercolor, charcoal and more during this 10-part class for intermediate and advanced students. Class meets 6 – 8 p.m. on Mondays April 22 – July 1 (except May 27) at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Teens only. $225 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Tuesday, April 23
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.

Fishing Flowing Waters — Learn techniques for fishing in rivers and streams at this intermediate-level clinic. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Graue Mill area at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, 3800 York Road in Oak Brook. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7248.

Music at Mayslake — Enjoy a diverse lineup of performers in this spring concert series. Experience the Chicago New Arts Trio, a virtuostic trio that combines voice, piano and flute in their program “Songs Old and New.” 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. $20 general admission; $18 seniors, students and groups of six or more. For tickets, call 630-206-9566.

Wednesday, April 24
Geocaching for Active Adults — See a geocaching demonstration, and then use a GPS unit to discover hidden caches. 10 a.m. – noon at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Ages 50 and up. Free. Registration begins April 10. Call 630-933-7248.

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.

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.

Friday, April 26
Fishing Clinic for Beginners — Learn fish ecology and identification as well as techniques and regulations. 4 – 6 p.m. at Sand Pond near the archery range 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 April 12. Call 630-933-7248.

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.

Saturday, April 27
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.

Volunteer Restoration Workday — Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or planting seed. Two sessions: 9 a.m. – noon at West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago on Industrial Drive one-half mile south of Hawthorne Lane. 9 a.m. – noon at the Elsen’s Hill area of West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve in West Chicago on Gary’s Mill Road one-half mile west of Winfield Road. 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.

When Darkness Falls — Hike through the dark woods with a ranger, and discover what it’s like to use your senses like a nocturnal predator. 7 – 9 p.m. at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien on Bluff Road one-quarter mile east of Cass Avenue. Ages 6 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. Registration begins April 15. Call 630-933-7248.

Sunday, April 28
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.