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Events:
April 11, 2025 | 8:30 a.m.
April Guided Bird Hike
Brew your favorite hot drink and join us for a free guided bird walk at Pecatonica Wetlands! FPWC Wildlife Biologist Liz will discuss bird identification, helpful birding technology, and nature journaling while the group searches for winter resident species.
This hike is aimed at beginner birders. Please bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Plan to hike 2-3 miles on mixed terrain (paved, grass, some incline/decline). 15 participant maximum.
Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve
5750 Best Road, Pecatonica, IL 61063
April 26, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Interested in getting involved in conserving Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve? Join us on Saturday, April 26 to plant 110 trees in the heart of the preserve and improve our community tree canopy! No RSVP necessary. Meet at the far parking lot (overflow parking along the road.)
This project is made possible as part of the $50,000 subgrant awarded to the FPWC by The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI).
Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve
4643 Blackhawk Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016
June 14, 2025 | Registration opens 8:30 a.m.
Event runs 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Hooked on Fun Kid's Fishing Derby
Introduce your kiddos to the outdoor fun of fishing at Hooked on Fun! Young anglers learn how to fish under the guidance of Forest Preserve staff and
volunteers while competing for the biggest fish.
Four Lakes Forest Preserve
10207 Fish Hatchery Road, Pecatonica, IL 61063
June 22, 2025 | 1:00 p.m.
Butterfly Hike
Presented by Alan Branhagen, Executive Director, Natural Land Institute
Take a hike through the prairie at Kieselburg Forest Preserve, a site known for the many butterflies it attracts, with Alan Branhagen, NLI’s Executive Director! Alan will point out the butterflies seen along the way and discuss the importance of protecting their habitat.
Kieselburg Forest Preserve
5801 Swanson Road, Roscoe, IL 61073
April 15, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.
Spring Ephemeral Walk
Join us at one of our oldest preserves, Kilbuck Bluffs, to search for spring ephemerals like mayapple, bloodroot, Dutchman’s breeches, cutleaf toothwort, and Virginia waterleaf! We will discuss the different ephemerals we see as we walk, as well as the recent restoration work completed at this preserve. The group will meet at the north entrance of the preserve.
Kilbuck Bluffs Forest Preserve
North entrance, S. Bend Road, Rockford, IL 61109
May 3, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. - Noon
Birdscaping Program & Hike
Presented by Alan Branhagen, Executive Director, Natural Land Institute
NLI’s Executive Director, Alan Branhagen, will give a presentation inside Headquarters Administration Building about what you should do in your own yard to attract birds so they have food, shelter and water. Take a walk with Alan in the prairie afterwards to look for birds.
Image: Dickcissel by Paul Lindquist
Headquarters Forest Preserve
5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford IL, 61103
June 19, 2025 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Preserve Pop Up
with Rockford Public Library
Join us for the first Preserve Pop Up of the season! FPWC staff will be on hand to share about all that the Forest Preserves have to offer, and Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library will be on site with their extensive collections! No RSVP is necessary for this drop-in program.
Headquarters Forest Preserve
5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford IL, 61103
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April 25, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.
City Nature Challenge Hike
Join us for a guided hike at Deer Run where we will observe the myriad of flora and fauna found at this preserve. We will then upload our findings to iNaturalist as part of the Rock Valley City Nature Challenge!
Deer Run Forest Preserve
5691 River Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016
May 24, 2025 | 9:00 a.m.
Bluebell Seed Collection
Deer Run Forest Preserve is famous for the sea of Virginia bluebells blooming throughout the property each spring. In this program, we will collect bluebell seeds for propagation later in the season. Participants are welcome to take some seeds home with them at the end of the program!
Deer Run Forest Preserve
5691 River Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016
June 20, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.
Calling Frog Hike
It’s frog season! During this guided hike, we will listen for the chorus of different calling frogs, identify their species, and discuss the importance of Calling Frog Monitoring in understanding local frog populations and restoring their habitat. Meet at 14341 Brick School Rd, Pecatonica.
Pecatonica River Forest Preserve
14341 Brick School Rd, Pecatonica, IL 61063
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