Willy's Wilderness
Willy's Wilderness
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tue, Jul 27Monee ReservoirJul 27, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AMMonee Reservoir, Monee Reservoir, Monee Township, IL 60449, USASnails, minnows and worms are a staple at Monee Reservoir! See these critters up close and learn about them through fun indoor and outdoor activities. We encourage experiencing the outdoors rain or shine, so please dress accordingly.
Sat, Jul 31Isle a la Cache MuseumJul 31, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDTIsle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville, IL 60446, USAIn recognition of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, join us for the “Animal Olympics” at Isle a la Cache Museum. Learn about Illinois animals that are excellent at moving fast, balancing and hopping. Test your own skills and strengths compared to what animals can do.
Tue, Aug 03Monee ReservoirAug 03, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PMMonee Reservoir, Monee Reservoir, Monee Township, IL 60449, USACelebrate National Night Out at Monee Reservoir with a meet and greet with the region’s first responders. See their emergency vehicles up close and get a picture with Willy the Woodchuck, our Forest Preserve District mascot.
Fri, Aug 06Kankakee Sands PreserveAug 06, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CDTKankakee Sands Preserve, Wilmington, IL 60481, USAIf you have never been to Kankakee Sands Preserve, now is the time. The sandy soil of this preserve creates a unique habitat for many animals. Reptiles love it! Join a naturalist as we search the prairie and woodlands for some really cool reptiles. You never know what we might find.
Sun, Aug 08Hickory Creek Preserve — LaPorte RoadAug 08, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PMHickory Creek Preserve — LaPorte Road, 10537 W La Porte Rd, Mokena, IL 60448, USABring your friends out and experience nature like never before – with a good game of Pokémon! Grab your favorite deck and challenge another participant. We’ll have a fire and smores’ in case you need a break from the action.
Wed, Aug 11Plum Creek Nature CenterAug 11, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AMPlum Creek Nature Center, 27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL 60401, USAJoin us monthly for nature-themed programs for tots 3 years old to 5 years old. This month is all about our six-legged friends: insects. Hands-on activities may include a hike, a story, games, music, art and more.
Thu, Aug 12Hadley Valley Preserve — Gougar RoadAug 12, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AMHadley Valley Preserve — Gougar Road, Co Hwy 52, Joliet, IL 60432, USAExplore the outdoors with a naturalist using binoculars, bug boxes, insect nets and more. Discover how people, nature and LEGOs fit together! Once we harness some inspiration, we’ll get building. The strong STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) aspect will be our little secret.
Fri, Aug 13Hickory Creek Preserve — LaPorte RoadAug 13, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AMHickory Creek Preserve — LaPorte Road, 10537 W La Porte Rd, Mokena, IL 60448, USAExplore the outdoors with a naturalist using binoculars, bug boxes, insect nets and more. Discover how people, nature and LEGOs fit together! Once we harness some inspiration, we’ll get building. The strong STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) aspect will be our little secret.
Sat, Aug 14McKinley Woods — Kerry Sheridan GroveAug 14, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM CDTMcKinley Woods — Kerry Sheridan Grove, 25055 S Walnut Ln, Channahon, IL 60410, USADip your net into the shallows of the DuPage River and discover the tiny creatures that call it home. Explore life from the riverbed to the surface without ever leaving the shore. This hands-on program allows children of all abilities to come face to face with the aquatic insects and creatures.
Tue, Aug 17Messenger Woods Nature PreserveAug 17, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AMMessenger Woods Nature Preserve, 13800 W Bruce Rd, Homer Glen, IL 60491, USABring the little ones out for a forest adventure! We’ll hop, skip, and jump in the woods while discovering colored flowers, leaf shapes and patterned bugs. We’ll become nature detectives and investigate signs of animal activity to determine who’s living in the forest.
Fri, Aug 20Plum Creek Nature CenterAug 20, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PMPlum Creek Nature Center, 27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL 60401, USAVisit Goodenow Grove for a game of hike and seek! Before coming to the program, download the free Seek app from iNaturalist on your phone. A naturalist will share the ins and outs of using the app to identify different plants, animals and fungi. Then the challenge begins!
Sat, Aug 28Monee ReservoirAug 28, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMMonee Reservoir, Monee Reservoir, Monee Township, IL 60449, USABring the crew out to take in some of the last summer sun before fall sets in at Monee Reservoir. Once off the water, we will end the program with each participant receiving an ice cream treat of their choice!
Sun, Aug 29Isle a la Cache MuseumAug 29, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AMIsle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Rd, Romeoville, IL 60446, USACalling all families with preschoolers! Join us for a hands-on program designed for your little one. In this month’s program, we will explore turtles. You’ll get to meet our turtle friends Taco, H3 and Shirlee. This program is geared for children ages 2 to 5.