EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: APRIL 29 – MAY 5

Monday, April 29
Compass Class 101 — Learn one of the oldest survival skills, how to use a compass; then, complete a compass course. 5 – 6 p.m. at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Butterfield Road one mile east of Route 59. Ages 7 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7248.

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 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. Adults only. Free. To register, call 630-850-8110.

Tuesday, April 30
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 Clinic for Active Adults — Get started or reacquainted with fishing through this two-part series for active adults that includes indoor instruction and hands-on experience. Class meets 9 – 11 a.m. April 30 at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook and May 2 at the Graue Mill area at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, 3800 York Road in Oak Brook. Ages 50 and up. Free. To register, call 630-933-7248.

Wednesday, May 1
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, May 3
Fishing Clinic for Beginners — Learn fish ecology and identification as well as techniques and regulations. 5 – 7 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. To register, 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.

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, May 4
Birding Field Trip — Meet fellow birding enthusiasts, and search for resident and migratory species. Bring binoculars. 7 – 11 a.m. 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. Groups of 10 or more must register. Call 630-933-7681.

Bird Study Merit Badge — Boy Scouts, meet the requirements for the Bird Study merit badge in this two-part program that includes bird identification, binocular basics, bird-banding demonstrations and more. Part one takes place May 4 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook. Part two is May 11 10 a.m. – noon at Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, during the center’s annual International Migratory Bird Day Celebration.  Ages 11 – 17. $50 per Scout. To register, call 630-850-8110.

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.

Meet the Beaver — Learn about the natural and cultural history of these interesting rodents, and explore a real beaver dam. 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Ages 7 and up; under 13 with an adult. Free. Registration begins April 20. Call 630-942-6200.

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.

Sunday, May 5
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.

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.