EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: MAY 13 – 19

Monday, May 13
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 Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. Adults only. Free. To register, call 630-850-8110.

Kayaking Basics — Learn the basics of kayaking, including parts of the boat and paddling strokes. Equipment provided. 5 – 7 p.m. at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville on Butterfield Road one mile east of Route 59. Ages 14 and up; under 18 with an adult. $20 per person. To register, call 630-933-7248.

Tuesday, May 14
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.

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.

Wednesday, May 15
Archery for Active Adults — Try your hand at archery at one of DuPage County’s most scenic preserves. Equipment provided. 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn on
St. Charles Road one-quarter mile west of Route 53. Ages 50 and up. Free. Registration begins May 1. 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.

Friday, May 17
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, May 18
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.

Horse-Drawn Hayrides — Take a 30-minute ride through the prairies and woodlands of Danada Forest Preserve, and learn about the features of this historic preserve. Rides ongoing noon – 3 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 children ages
5 – 12; children under 5 free. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private hayrides. Call 630-668-6012.

Mayslake at Night — Experience nighttime sights and sounds while exploring the woods, lakeshore and grounds around Mayslake Hall. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Ages 6 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-206-9581.

Music Can Tell a Story — Learn how music can tell a story through the use of various instruments, rhythms, melody and dynamics. Noon – 2 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Ages 4 – 12 with an adult. $8 per person. For tickets, 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.

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. 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, May 19
Geocaching — Try a popular treasure-hunting activity using a GPS unit to discover hidden caches. Equipment provided. 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn on St. Charles Road one-quarter mile west of Route 53. Ages 6 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. Registration begins May 6. Call 630-933-7248.

Horse-Drawn Hayrides — Take a 30-minute ride through the prairies and woodlands of Danada Forest Preserve, and learn about the features of this historic preserve. Rides ongoing noon – 3 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 children ages
5 – 12; children under 5 free. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private hayrides. Call 630-668-6012.

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.