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🚴‍♀️🚶‍♂️ Ever wonder who’s around the next bend?

This summer, Share the Trail stops are popping up across the Forest Preserves, offering friendly faces, helpful tips and a few giveaways along the way.

It’s all about making the trails safer and more enjoyable for everyone who uses them.

Learn more: https://fpdcc.com/visit-us-at-share-the-trail-stops-a-friendly-way-to-enjoy-the-outdoors-together/

Happy #WildWednesday! In honor of spring bird migration, we’re spotlighting the shimmering Tree Swallow this week.

Here’s five cool facts about these iridescent birds:

🔵 Tree Swallows are more resilient to cold weather than other swallows. They arrive early in spring to northern breeding grounds. They are commonly seen in summer fields and wetlands across northern North America.

🔵 Males have iridescent blue-green backs and all-white fronts. Females have duller colors with more brown underneath. Juveniles have a gray-brown breast band.

🔵 The name “Tree Swallow” comes from their habit of nesting in tree cavities. Their habitats include marshes and fields near rivers, ponds, and lakes.

🔵 Their insect diet includes moths, dragonflies, damselflies, wasps, mayflies, bees, and flies. When insects are scarce, they eat berries.

🔵 Their acrobatic hunting style includes sharp turns and twists. They can catch insects in mid-flight. They prefer hunting over bodies of water with abundant flying insects.

Seen one? Share your sighting in the comments! Stop by a Forest Preserves nature center and chat with a naturalist to learn more.

📷: Tree Swallow, by Paul Dacko

Happy Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 🌸

We’re celebrating all month long — and you’re invited!

AANHPI Craft Series: Chinese Paper Lantern
May 24 • 12–2 PM
📍 Sand Ridge Nature Center

Create your own paper lantern while exploring the cultural stories and artistry behind this timeless tradition. Drop in anytime!

Learn more: fpdcc.com/aaphm

#AAPIHeritageMonth

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month — Let’s nurture our mental health with the positive affirmations we give ourselves.

“The forest doesn’t compete with itself — every tree grows in its own way, in its own time.”

#mentalhealthmatters

🐦 Happy #WildWednesday!

Spring bird migration is in full swing, making it a great time to explore birding in the Forest Preserves while helping protect the wildlife and habitats around us. 🌿

Practice ethical birding by:

• Keeping your distance from birds and nests
• Staying on marked trails
• Respecting fellow visitors and birders
• Supporting conservation through native plants and volunteer efforts
• Following preserve rules that help protect sensitive natural areas

Nearly 300 bird species live in and migrate through the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and even small actions can help them thrive for generations to come. 💚

Learn more about birding resources, events and tips at fpdcc.com/things-to-do/birding/

#Birding #SpringMigration

Save the Date: Trash Bash, THIS Saturday, May 16th | 9 AM – 12 PM

📍LaBagh Woods (N Cicero Ave, north of W Foster Ave)

Make spring cleaning more sustainable! Got trash? We want it!

To prep for the event, check out what items we’re collecting: fpdcc.com/event/trash-bash-6/

Keep up with other Trash Bash events: fpdcc.com/events/tag/trash-bash/

Save the Date: Trash Bash, THIS Saturday, May 16th | 9 AM – 12 PM

📍LaBagh Woods (N Cicero Ave, north of W Foster Ave)

Make spring cleaning more sustainable! Got trash? We want it!

To prep for the event, check out what items we’re collecting: fpdcc.com/event/trash-bash-6/

Keep up with other Trash Bash events: fpdcc.com/events/tag/trash-bash/

Save the Date: Trash Bash, THIS Saturday, May 16th | 9 AM – 12 PM

📍LaBagh Woods (N Cicero Ave, north of W Foster Ave)

Make spring cleaning more sustainable! Got trash? We want it!

To prep for the event, check out what items we’re collecting: fpdcc.com/event/trash-bash-6/

Keep up with other Trash Bash events: fpdcc.com/events/tag/trash-bash/

Planning a trip into nature? Be sure to check for ticks!

Check out our webpage on ticks to learn about avoiding tick bites, what to do in case of a tick bite, and tick testing in the Forest Preserves: https://fpdcc.com/nature/coexisting-nature/ticks-and-disease/.

Happy Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 🌸

In celebration, join us for a special series of performances by our partners @mandalaartschi! Pan-Asian artists gather across the Forest Preserves to bring cultural memories of nature to life through music, dance, and storytelling.

Asian American Pacific Islander Month Celebration
May 16 • 11 AM–12 PM
📍 Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/Pan-Asian-Music--Dance---Storytelling-in-the-Forest-Preserves-78486

AANHPI Month Performance
May 16 • 2 PM
📍 Caldwell Woods Wellness Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/pan-asian-music-dance--storytelling-in-the-forest-preserves-78488

Asian American Heritage Month Performance
May 17 • 1:30 PM
📍 River Trail Nature Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/pan-asian-music-dance--storytelling-in-the-forest-preserves-78489

Experience the forest through vibrant rhythms, graceful movement, and powerful stories rooted in land, memory, and community. Artists Include: @thebansurist, Tzu-Tsen Wu, Bob Garrett, Tatsu Aoki, Saraswathi Ranganathan, Pak Ngurah Ensemble, Habib and more!

Learn more: fpdcc.com/aaphm

#AAPIHeritageMonth

Happy Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 🌸

In celebration, join us for a special series of performances by our partners @mandalaartschi! Pan-Asian artists gather across the Forest Preserves to bring cultural memories of nature to life through music, dance, and storytelling.

Asian American Pacific Islander Month Celebration
May 16 • 11 AM–12 PM
📍 Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/Pan-Asian-Music--Dance---Storytelling-in-the-Forest-Preserves-78486

AANHPI Month Performance
May 16 • 2 PM
📍 Caldwell Woods Wellness Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/pan-asian-music-dance--storytelling-in-the-forest-preserves-78488

Asian American Heritage Month Performance
May 17 • 1:30 PM
📍 River Trail Nature Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/pan-asian-music-dance--storytelling-in-the-forest-preserves-78489

Experience the forest through vibrant rhythms, graceful movement, and powerful stories rooted in land, memory, and community. Artists Include: @thebansurist, Tzu-Tsen Wu, Bob Garrett, Tatsu Aoki, Saraswathi Ranganathan, Pak Ngurah Ensemble, Habib and more!

Learn more: fpdcc.com/aaphm

#AAPIHeritageMonth

Happy Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 🌸

In celebration, join us for a special series of performances by our partners @mandalaartschi! Pan-Asian artists gather across the Forest Preserves to bring cultural memories of nature to life through music, dance, and storytelling.

Asian American Pacific Islander Month Celebration
May 16 • 11 AM–12 PM
📍 Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/Pan-Asian-Music--Dance---Storytelling-in-the-Forest-Preserves-78486

AANHPI Month Performance
May 16 • 2 PM
📍 Caldwell Woods Wellness Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/pan-asian-music-dance--storytelling-in-the-forest-preserves-78488

Asian American Heritage Month Performance
May 17 • 1:30 PM
📍 River Trail Nature Center
Register: eventcombo.com/e/pan-asian-music-dance--storytelling-in-the-forest-preserves-78489

Experience the forest through vibrant rhythms, graceful movement, and powerful stories rooted in land, memory, and community. Artists Include: @thebansurist, Tzu-Tsen Wu, Bob Garrett, Tatsu Aoki, Saraswathi Ranganathan, Pak Ngurah Ensemble, Habib and more!

Learn more: fpdcc.com/aaphm

#AAPIHeritageMonth

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend outdoors 🌿💐

Spend quality time together at the Forest Preserves of Cook County with these Sunday events:

🏃 Mother’s Day Fun Run & Walk
8 am📍Dan Ryan Woods – Central
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTCjq91RYTRsNt53jOzpzcH8oEa8FXXD3IoIR2-fiOvmiGGg/viewform

🌸 Mother’s Day Spring Nature Walk
10:30 am📍Trailside Museum
Register: 708-366-6530

🌼 Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk
1 pm📍Crabtree Nature Center

Find more events: fpdcc.com/events/

#MothersDay #Nature #FamilyFun #SpringOutdoors

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend outdoors 🌿💐

Spend quality time together at the Forest Preserves of Cook County with these Sunday events:

🏃 Mother’s Day Fun Run & Walk
8 am📍Dan Ryan Woods – Central
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTCjq91RYTRsNt53jOzpzcH8oEa8FXXD3IoIR2-fiOvmiGGg/viewform

🌸 Mother’s Day Spring Nature Walk
10:30 am📍Trailside Museum
Register: 708-366-6530

🌼 Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk
1 pm📍Crabtree Nature Center

Find more events: fpdcc.com/events/

#MothersDay #Nature #FamilyFun #SpringOutdoors

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend outdoors 🌿💐

Spend quality time together at the Forest Preserves of Cook County with these Sunday events:

🏃 Mother’s Day Fun Run & Walk
8 am📍Dan Ryan Woods – Central
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTCjq91RYTRsNt53jOzpzcH8oEa8FXXD3IoIR2-fiOvmiGGg/viewform

🌸 Mother’s Day Spring Nature Walk
10:30 am📍Trailside Museum
Register: 708-366-6530

🌼 Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk
1 pm📍Crabtree Nature Center

Find more events: fpdcc.com/events/

#MothersDay #Nature #FamilyFun #SpringOutdoors

🌱 New to volunteering? Join us for a NEWTS Stewardship Day and get extra support while making a real impact in nature! Help remove invasive garlic mustard so native spring wildflowers can thrive.

📅 Tue, May 12 • 9 am – Noon
📍 Sand Ridge Nature Center

Perfect for first-time volunteers and anyone looking to give back outdoors this spring.

Learn more & sign up: https://volunteer-fpdcc.givepulse.com/shift/6423430

Weekend plans? ☀️🌿

We’ve got you covered. Enjoy the warm weather and spend some time outdoors at these upcoming events in the Forest Preserves!

🌷 Spring Has Sprung
Friday • 10 am – 12 pm
📍 River Trail Nature Center

Discover something new in nature alongside University of Illinois Extension Volunteers. Fun for all ages!

🐦 World Migratory Bird Day Walk & Big Sit – Drop-in
Saturday • 8 am – 12 pm
📍 Crabtree Nature Center

All ages and birding levels welcome! Binoculars available to borrow.

Find even more events at: fpdcc.com/events.

Weekend plans? ☀️🌿

We’ve got you covered. Enjoy the warm weather and spend some time outdoors at these upcoming events in the Forest Preserves!

🌷 Spring Has Sprung
Friday • 10 am – 12 pm
📍 River Trail Nature Center

Discover something new in nature alongside University of Illinois Extension Volunteers. Fun for all ages!

🐦 World Migratory Bird Day Walk & Big Sit – Drop-in
Saturday • 8 am – 12 pm
📍 Crabtree Nature Center

All ages and birding levels welcome! Binoculars available to borrow.

Find even more events at: fpdcc.com/events.

Happy #WildWednesday! 🐦

In honor of World Migratory Bird Day this weekend, here are five ways you can help protect the nearly 300 bird species that live in and migrate through the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

🌱 Volunteer for a stewardship day and help restore important bird habitats.
🌼 Plant native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees to provide food and shelter for birds and pollinators.
🐱 Keep cats indoors to help protect wildlife.
🪟 Make windows safer to prevent bird collisions during migration.
🚫 Avoid pesticides that can harm birds, pollinators and other wildlife.

To learn more, visit: fpdcc.com/birds-are-in-trouble-heres-how-we-can-help/.

📷: by Jerry Attere