Free Chicago area Earth Day events . Earth Day is April 24, 2021. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is hosting events April 13-25, 2021. Some events are virtual and some are in-person. Some require registration. See links below. All events are free.
Volunteer to clean up a park on Earth Day.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 2 pm Creative Reuse to Reduce: Earth Day Facebook Live from River Trail Nature Center
A tutorial on an at-home project to reduce waste and repurpose home goods. Audience: Teens & adults
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 10 am Wee Wonders: Earth Day Facebook Live from Sand Ridge Nature Center
Program for preschoolers to celebrate Earth Day.
Sunday, April 18-Sunday, April 25, 2021 8 am Self-guided Wildflower Walk Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439
Learn about wildflowers using plant markers as you walk the trails.
Monday, April 19, 2021 – Thu, Apr 22, 2021 10 am Nature’s Pop-up Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480. Registration required.
A naturalist discusses conservation, water quality, composting, and invasive species.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021 8:30 am Bird Hike Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439 Registration required.
Learn to identify birds from a naturalist. Bring your own binoculars.
Thursday, April 22, Saturday and Sunday April 24-25, 2021 9:30 am Garlic Mustard Pull Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439 Registration required.
This is a volunteer event where you help remove the invasive and harmful garlic mustard. All ages.
Free Earth Day events
Thursday, April 22, 2021 12 pm Earth Day Celebration LaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630
Staff-led hikes, on non-paved trails, will take place at noon and 4pm. Create a project using recycled materials. Registration required.
Thursday, April 22, 2021 2 pm Earth Day: Nature’s Heroes Facebook Live from Crabtree Nature Center
Learn about some the female pioneers in the environmental movement.
Thursday, April 22, 2021 4 pm Earth Day Celebration Drop-In Maple Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60480
Self-guided activities and a take-home DIY kit (whole supplies last).
Thursday, April 22, 2021 7 pm Earth Day: Nature Triva Night! Zoom Presentation
Nature Trivia challenge. Ages 16 & up.
Saturday, April 24, 2021 9 am Earth Day Celebration Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473
Earth Day-themed games and nature play plus take home art project (while supplies last).
Saturday, April 24, 2021 9 am Earth Day Celebration with the BackYard Nature Center Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 Registration required.
Activities include nature play, fishing clinic, guided hike, litter cleanup, monitoring and stewardship exhibits, and a demonstration on how to repurpose buckthorn. Session 1: 9 – 10:15 am; Session 2: 10:45 am – 12 pm.
Saturday, April 24, 2021 11 am Creative Reuse: Bird Feeders Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473 Registration required.
Learn to make bird feeders with common household items.
Sunday, April 25, 2021 12 pm Celebrating Earth Day Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington Hills, IL 60010
Mini-Earth Day celebration. Create a native animal out of recycled materials, learn how to clean greener, start a native plant to take home.
