Educator Resources

a group of people standing in a prairie

Beyond direct programming, the Forest Preserves provides educators with a range of resources designed to strengthen classroom connections.

On this page:

Educator-Led Activities

These free science and nature programs feature hands-on activities and allow students to use critical thinking skills while connecting with local natural areas. Our programs meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for specific grade levels and can be tailored to your needs. Unless otherwise noted, these programs can be part of a series that includes lessons that are teacher-led or independent classroom or at-home activities. Contact experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov for more information.

Grades K-2

Monarch Butterflies

Learn about migration by exploring the habits and adaptations of the monarch butterfly. Explore the Legend of the Monarch Butterfly with a coloring book. Learn about monarch butterflies and their importance in human culture.

Animals in the Fall

Increase your interest and knowledge of animals that live in the Forest Preserves as we explore and investigate the different types of animal coverings, adaptations and animal activity in the fall.

Birds on the Move (Migration)

Explore local birds and engage students as they learn about migration and why and how birds migrate in search of resources.

Creature of the Night: Little Brown Bat

Explore the connection between bats and the fall/Halloween season. Learn about echolocation and how bats use it.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Blanding’s Turtle

Children will be introduced to turtles and their lifecycle, learn what turtles need to survive and find out how humans can help.

Grades: 3-5

Beaks, Feet and Feathers

Birds have special physical adaptations of beaks, feet and feathers, and behaviors that enable birds to exploit resources, survive and reproduce within the habitats they live in. Students will research and do activities that will explore bird adaptations and behavior.

Interesting Insects

Insects fill important roles as pollinators and as food for other insects and animals. Students will do activities that explore insect anatomy, habitats and adaptations.

Tremendous Trees

Tree growth and survival depend on both physical characteristics and environmental factors. Students will study the form and function of tree parts and learn how trees respond to changing temperature and moisture levels that define the seasons in our region.

Grades 6-8

Habitats for Sale

For an animal to survive, it must be able to find a suitable habitat that provides four essential things: food, water, shelter and a place to raise their young. Students will research habitats found in Cook County and learn about the resources available for the animals that call them home.  

Water Cycle

The hydrologic cycle, or water cycle, is one of the main cycles that allows for life on Earth. Students will learn how water changes its physical state and moves through the environment, and how the hydrologic cycle impacts life in different ecosystems.

Grades 9-12

Divided Communities & Unified Solutions

Students learn about a natural resource management topic (examples: deer overpopulation, zebra mussels) and how communities can address these issues using working groups. Students will roleplay a working group facing an environmental problem and work together to find a solution.

Why Do Insects Visit Flowers? (Hint: It’s Not Always for Pollen)

Students make sense of which insects visit flowers in their neighborhood or on campus, and which parts of the flowers these insects are visiting. They use structure and function as a thinking tool (cross-cutting concept) to connect the parts of the flower that are visited to the function of these parts, and then make predictions about how insects adapt to floral resources and adaptations of flowers to attract beneficial insects.

Using Topo Maps to Solve Problems

Students make sense of the phenomenon of changes in landscapes captured on a topographic map and use what they learned to explore their own location and inform decisions about appropriate human uses for different sites.

Canyon Tour

Follow a naturalist back in time, from glaciers to ancient seas, on this visit to Cook County’s only rock canyon. Learn about the geology of northeastern Illinois and then infer how it influences everything from why certain plants grow here to where cemeteries are sited. Call Sagawau Environmental Learning Center at 630-257-2045 to learn more.

Education Access Permit

Want to lead your own group in the Forest Preserves for an outdoor activity? Apply for an Education Access Permit, which is required for all school/educational activities such as class field trips, practices or other group education visits to a forest preserve or nature center, for all groups of 25 or more, and/or when requesting assistance from Forest Preserve staff. The Permit is granted for the day(s) of the field trip or activity. There is no fee for the Education Access Permit.

Resource Loan Kits

Each of our nature centers is equipped with Resource Loan Kits for educators and leaders to borrow, use and return. Kits are full of program materials and curriculum materials for teachers or leaders to follow. The following topics are available at each of our six nature centers:

  • Birds
  • Endangered/Threatened Animals
  • Mammals
  • Reptiles/Amphibians

Workshop & Professional Development

Want to learn skills to take your group out to the Forest Preserves on your own? Check out these workshops and networks for teachers and leaders:

Teacher Workshops

There are opportunities to earn professional development hours for licensed teachers. Teacher workshops align with NGSS, giving teachers resources to connect field science experiences to the classroom curriculum. These workshops are offered throughout the year and topics vary each year. Contact experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov for more information.

Community Leadership Workshops

Want to learn more about the Forest Preserves and how to engage your community using Forest Preserves resources? Want to organize a workshop for you and your team who work with youth, adults or community groups? Email experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov to schedule a 2-4 hour community leadership workshop.

Day Hiking Leadership Training

These events equip teachers and youth educators with the tools needed to take groups into the preserves for the day. Contact experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov for more information.

Camping Leadership Immersion Course (CLIC)

The Camping Leadership Immersion Course (CLIC) training is aimed at connecting community groups and other mission-based organizations with the Forest Preserves of Cook County through camping. Learn more.

Greater Maywood Paddling Program

Located at Maywood Grove, the Greater Maywood Paddling Program provides opportunities for organized groups within the Maywood community to connect to nature and water through kayaking experiences. Learn more.

Green Teacher Network

Enhance student curricula with school gardens and green spaces. Envision a sustainable tomorrow and connect with fellow educators through training sessions and special events. Learn more.

IDNR Education Workshops

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Division of Education sponsors educator workshops through the ENTICE program. These workshops offer Professional Development Hours for teachers. Learn more.

Wild & Wonderful Video Series

Explore what’s wild and wonderful in the Forest Preserves of Cook County! The Wild & Wonderful video series teaches young children and people of all ages about our native plants and wildlife. It’s part of Project Rainbow, Cook County Government’s family-focused initiative designed to address education barriers and learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic.

Check out the Wild & Wonderful episodes:

Learn more about #ProjectRainbow.

Conservation@Home

Want to build and grow a nature garden in your community or school yard? Through the Conservation@Home program, residents of Cook County are encouraged to adopt “Forest Preserves Friendly” practices while providing wildlife and native plant habitat in residential, school and workplace gardens. Learn more.

Page last updated: September 5, 2025