EVENTS IN DU PAGE FOREST PRESERVES: OCT. 29 – NOV. 4

Monday, Oct. 29
Spooks and Specters of the 1890s House Tours — Tour the farmhouse and discover what folks in the
1890s thought about ghosts, spirits and fortunetelling. Tours begin on the hour 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.

Tuesday, Oct. 30
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, Oct. 31
Covered Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided covered wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Friday, Nov. 2
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.

Saturday, Nov. 3
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.

Covered Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided covered wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Farrier Demonstrations — See the farrier tend to Danada’s herd of  horses and exhibit the tools and techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center,
3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. Dates and times subject to change. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-668-6012.

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. Noon – 3:45 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private rides. Call 630-668-6012.

Predator Prowl — Spend an evening exploring the fascinating habits of DuPage County’s predators during games, crafts, a pizza dinner and encounters with some of Willowbrook’s resident raptors.
5 – 8 p.m. at Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. All ages; under 16 with an adult. $30 per parent/child pair; $10 each additional person. To register, call 630-942-6200.

Volunteer Restoration Workday — Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or collecting seed. 9 a.m. – noon at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville on Plainfield-Naperville Road one-half mile south of 75th Street. 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 collecting seed. 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. Groups of 10 or more must register. Call 630-293-1627.

Cast-Iron Cooking — Help prepare a hearty meal over an open campfire, and learn tips for cooking with cast iron. 1 – 3:30 p.m. at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton on Butterfield Road two miles west of Naperville Road. Ages 5 and up; under 18 with an adult. $10 per person ages 16 and up; $5 ages
5 – 15. Registration begins Oct. 22. Call 630-933-7248.

Covered Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided covered wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. 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. Noon – 3:45 p.m. at Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private rides. Call 630-668-6012.

Meet the Beekeepers — Learn about beekeeping equipment and the important role that bees play in our food supply. Ask the beekeepers 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.