Earth Day Prairie Celebration
Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. - Noon
Mellody Farm Nature Preserve

Celebrate Earth Day at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve and join us for our fifth annual prairie restoration planting. Thanks to Open Lands Associate Board and a generous donation from R.E.I. we are transforming an old agricultural field back to native prairie. This is a wonderful activity for families and scouts. No need to register unless you're bringing an organized group. Just stop by! For Scout troops and others, please contact the Lockhart Family Nature Center at 847-482-1928 or e-mail  Michael Hahn , Volunteer Coordinator.

Go Native! Plant Sale
Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 12 Noon to 3 p.m.
Lockhart Family Nature Center

                  Click here to download the Plant List.

We buy our plants from some of the finest native plant specialists in northeastern Illinois. Our reputation for providing healthy plants grows every year, and avid gardeners arrive early to get the best specimens. Hosted by the Associate Board of Lake Forest Open Lands. Proceeds go to the tallgrass restoration project at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. 

River Day
Saturday, May 10
9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Skokie River Nature Preserve

Eager volunteers can look forward to a morning of hard work in partnership with Friends of the Chicago River, cleaning up the river's banks, planting native species, removing invasive plants and doing trail maintenance.  A variety of activities have been developed to appeal to the widest variety of volunteers so that everyone can enjoy the Chicago River. To register please contact the Lockhart Family Nature Center at 847-482-1928 or e-mail  Michael Hahn , Volunteer Coordinator.

Access to the Skokie River Nature Preserve is at the west end of Laurel Avenue, west of Green Bay Road. Park at the end of Laurel and walk on the bike path across the bridge to the wood-chipped trail on the right.