Meet at the Nature Center Parking Lot a few minutes before 9AM. Dress in layers and wear natural fiber clothing. Bring water and a snack to share if you like. Everyone is invited to come, learn, lead, and make a difference.

Explore the sand prairies, sand savanna, graminoid fens, and high quality marshes of Spring Bluff Forest Preserve and learn to identify the wildflowers & weeds of the Preserve. Guided by the Lake Plain Coalition Coordinator, the Stewardship Ecologist of Lake County Forest Preserves‍, and experienced stewards!

Please dress appropriately for going off trail. Children 10+ welcome with an adult.

Meet at the Nature Center Parking Lot a few minutes before 9AM. Dress in layers and wear natural fiber clothing. Bring water and a snack to share if you like. Everyone is invited to come, learn, lead, and make a difference.

Meet at the Nature Center Parking Lot a few minutes before 9AM. Dress in layers and wear natural fiber clothing. Bring water and a snack to share if you like. Everyone is invited to come, learn, lead, and make a difference.

Deepen your connection to the environment at a Restoration Workday in Waukegan Dunes! Hosted by the Lake Plain Coalition. No experience necessary! Children 10+ welcome with an adult.

Please park in the Beach Parking off of East Sea Horse Drive. Let the gate staff know you are here as a Lake Plain volunteer. We will meet at the Sunrise Trail entrance a few minutes before 9 AM.

Master Naturalist Dru Snavely will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month from May to October. Walks will be on the first Saturdays from 10AM to 12PM. Information includes a little history, a little geology and lots of plant names and facts. Over the months you will look at and identify more than 100 different flowering plants, grasses, and some sedges. There will likely be a plant list available each time as well as occasional other handouts.

Meet at the intersection of 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Park on 2nd Avenue. Wear good walking shoes or boots and long pants. Sunscreen, insect repellent for possible ticks, and a hat are wise. We go in light rain but not if there is lightning.

Meet at the Nature Center Parking Lot a few minutes before 9AM. Dress in layers and wear natural fiber clothing. Bring water and a snack to share if you like. Everyone is invited to come, learn, lead, and make a difference.

Volunteer on our Chiwaukee Prairie Work Days as we to restore quality habitat for prairie plants and animals. All we need is you to help! No experience necessary. On the job training! Wear old clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, hats and gloves. We have tools and the equipment to get the job done. If the weather is warm, be sure to bring plenty of water. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to sign-in. We hope to see you there!

As the Bonus Garden for this year’s Four Seasons Garden Club Secret Garden Walk, Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund volunteers will have the opportunity to introduce a few hundred folks to the location, history and importance of this ecological jewel.

Open to the public – No ticket required
Maps, brochures, volunteer opportunities, native gardening information, & more

Master Naturalist Dru Snavely will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month from May to October. Walks will be on the first Saturdays from 10AM to 12PM. Information includes a little history, a little geology and lots of plant names and facts. Over the months you will look at and identify more than 100 different flowering plants, grasses, and some sedges. There will likely be a plant list available each time as well as occasional other handouts.

Meet at the intersection of 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Park on 2nd Avenue. Wear good walking shoes or boots and long pants. Sunscreen, insect repellent for possible ticks, and a hat are wise. We go in light rain but not if there is lightning.

Join us for a beginner-friendly nature and flower art class at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Kathleen Garness, steward of Hosah Park and a renowned artist and naturalist. This welcoming program will invite participants to slow down, observe the beauty of the natural world, and express it through creative art inspired by flowers and native plants.

All are encouraged to come ready to learn, create, and enjoy a peaceful, hands-on experience surrounded by the natural beauty of the park. All supplies will be provided!

***Attendance for this event is capped, and registration is required in advance.

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

Join us for a community beach cleanup at Illinois Beach State Park and help make a difference! This friendly, hands-on event is a great way to give back, enjoy the outdoors, and work together to care for our incredible state park.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to lend a hand as we remove litter and debris from the beach. This effort will help protect wildlife and keep the park clean for everyone to enjoy.

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

Discover the magic of Yooperlite at this unique nighttime event! Yooperlite are special rocks that glow bright orange under ultraviolet light. Using UV flashlights, we will search the shoreline together for these fascinating stones hidden among the sand and rocks. Staff will educate about what Yooperlites are, how they form, and where they can be found.

Night programs like this are rare and offer an excellent opportunity to experience the beach after dark when sights, sounds, and atmosphere are completely different

Join us for a special program at Illinois Beach State Park presented by specialists from the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), focusing on recent changes along the park’s shoreline. This informative program will explore ongoing coastal management efforts, including the construction of 23 new breakwaters and the replenishment of over 50 acres of beach.

ISGS staff will discuss how these projects are designed to reduce erosion, protect critical habitats, and help preserve the natural shoreline along Lake Michigan. Participants will gain insight into the science behind shoreline stabilization and the long-term importance of these efforts for both wildlife and park visitors.

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

Master Naturalist Dru Snavely will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month from May to October. Walks will be on the first Saturdays from 10AM to 12PM. Information includes a little history, a little geology and lots of plant names and facts. Over the months you will look at and identify more than 100 different flowering plants, grasses, and some sedges. There will likely be a plant list available each time as well as occasional other handouts.

Meet at the intersection of 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Park on 2nd Avenue. Wear good walking shoes or boots and long pants. Sunscreen, insect repellent for possible ticks, and a hat are wise. We go in light rain but not if there is lightning.

Join us for a special guided hike at Illinois Beach State Park led by guest naturalist Belynda Alberte, Natural Resource Specialist with Lake County Forest Preserves and Coordinator of the Lake Plain Coalition. This unique program offers the opportunity to learn directly from a leading expert on the globally significant Lake Plain ecosystem.

This hike is perfect for anyone interested in local ecology, conservation, and the natural history of Illinois Beach State Park. Whether you’re a regular on our weekly walks or joining for the first time, this special guest-led hike offers a unique chance to experience the park through an expert’s perspective.

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

Join us for a special guided hike at Illinois Beach State Park led by guest naturalist Belynda Alberte, Natural Resource Specialist with Lake County Forest Preserves and Coordinator of the Lake Plain Coalition. This unique program offers the opportunity to learn directly from a leading expert on the globally significant Lake Plain ecosystem.

This hike is perfect for anyone interested in local ecology, conservation, and the natural history of Illinois Beach State Park. Whether you’re a regular on our weekly walks or joining for the first time, this special guest-led hike offers a unique chance to experience the park through an expert’s perspective.

Join us at Illinois Beach State Park (IBSP) for a guided bird walk in honor of World Migratory Bird Day! This program will explore diverse habitats including oak forests, wetlands, and dunes. Led by our resident naturalist, this relaxed walk will focus on spotting and listening for migratory birds as they pass through the area during their spring journey.

Meet at the Nature Center. Hike will take place on the Dead River Trail

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

Master Naturalist Dru Snavely will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month from May to October. Walks will be on the first Saturdays from 10AM to 12PM. Information includes a little history, a little geology and lots of plant names and facts. Over the months you will look at and identify more than 100 different flowering plants, grasses, and some sedges. There will likely be a plant list available each time as well as occasional other handouts.

Meet at the intersection of 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Park on 2nd Avenue. Wear good walking shoes or boots and long pants. Sunscreen, insect repellent for possible ticks, and a hat are wise. We go in light rain but not if there is lightning.

Join us for a beginner-friendly nature and flower art class at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Kathleen Garness, steward of Hosah Park and a renowned artist and naturalist. This welcoming program will invite participants to slow down, observe the beauty of the natural world, and express it through creative art inspired by flowers and native plants.

All are encouraged to come ready to learn, create, and enjoy a peaceful, hands-on experience surrounded by the natural beauty of the park. All supplies will be provided!

***Attendance for this event is capped, and registration is required in advance.

Join us for a weekly guided nature walk at Illinois Beach State Park, led by Nature Center staff. These relaxed, beginner-friendly walks will explore the park’s diverse habitats, including dunes, wetlands, forests, and shoreline. Our naturalist will also highlight the plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes that make each visit to IBSP special.

Held every Saturday throughout the spring (unless otherwise noted), each walk will offer something a little different depending on what’s happening in the park that week. From blooming wildflowers to migrating birds and changing lake conditions, no two walks are ever the same. Our naturalist will also touch on the history of the park, which transformed from a military base into the park we know and love today.

5th annual Earth Day cleanup at Waukegan Beach. Let's clean up our greatest resource!