Join us on Saturday, June 27, from 8:00–10:45 a.m. for a bird and nature walk at Volo Bog, one of Illinois' most distinctive natural areas.

Volo Bog is home to Illinois' only open-water quaking bog and supports an incredible diversity of wetlands, woodlands, and prairie habitats. Late June is a fascinating time to explore, as many of Lake County's breeding birds are actively singing, defending territories, and caring for their young.

Space is limited for this special walk, so we encourage you to register soon. Don't miss this opportunity to experience one of the region's most unique landscapes and the wildlife that depends on it.

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026

Time:  8:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Activity Level:  Moderate, Walk 3-4 miles (dirt and grass trails, with some boardwalk sections)

Trip Leaders:  Brad Stein  (773) 213-1808

                          Matt Tobin  (847) 951-1483  

REGISTRATION LINK

Location:   Volo Bog State Natural Area, W Brandenburg Rd. Ingleside, IL 60041

The walk will begin in the main parking lot located off W. Brandenburg Road. Please follow the pinned directions to this parking lot in Google Maps below:

Google Maps: Volo Bog Parking Lot  (meeting location)

Please bring binoculars (if available).  We will have a few loaner pairs if you need to borrow one for the walk.

Please dress accordingly for the weather conditions and wear appropriate footwear for walking around 3-4 miles on mostly dirt/grass trails. Sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water, and a hat are all good items to bring along. 

Feel free to leave the walk at anytime. We may extend the overall duration of the walk beyond the listed time for anyone who would like to continue a bit longer.

There is a public outhouse located near the parking area.
In case of inclement weather, the trip leaders will notify all participants via email and text. 

 We are proud to have Sharing Our Shore and the Return of the Piping Plover to Waukegan Shores selected for the 2026 Little Fort Film Festival!

This UPDATED VERSION of the film tells the remarkable story of the Great Lakes Piping Plover’s return to Illinois and the community effort helping protect these endangered shorebirds and their habitat along the Waukegan lakefront.

Join us as we celebrate an epic migration, a conservation success story, and the people who have come together to protect these charismatic shorebirds. 

We hope to see lots of familiar faces in the audience and at the Saturday evening soirée as we show festival attendees what hometown support means!

 Film Screening: Waukegan Public Library: 3:30-4:30

Award Ceremony and After Party: Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie

Full film festival details and ticket prices are available by visiting www.littlefortfilmfestival.org

Date:  Saturday, June 13, 2026

Time:  7:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Activity Level:  Moderate, Walk 3-4 miles on paved/crushed-gravel/dirt trails

Trip Leaders:  Matt Tobin  (847) 951-1483

Location:     Lakewood Forest Preserve

                      Wauconda, IL 60084

We will meet in the preserve's central parking lot, located just south of IL-176. This is a very large preserve with multiple lots. Please follow directions to the pinned location in Google Maps below:
Google Maps: Lakewood Forest Preserve - Central Parking Lot Off IL-176  (Meeting Location)

Registration can be found here:

https://forms.gle/mRmECW5GMSrEuH918

This trip will be limited to 20 participants and the registration will close if we reach that number. If you register and realize ahead of time you will not be able to make the walk, please send a text to the trip leader so your spot can be re-opened.

Please bring a pair of binoculars if you have them to maximize the birding experience.  We will have some pairs available on site to borrow.

Please dress accordingly for the summer weather conditions and wear appropriate footwear for walking around 3-4 miles on mostly crushed-gravel and paved trails, with some grass/dirt sections. Sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water, and a hat are all good items to bring along.

Feel free to leave the walk at anytime. We may extend the overall duration of the walk beyond the listed time for anyone who would like to continue a bit longer.

In case of inclement weather necessitating a cancellation, the trip leader will notify all participants via email and text ahead of time. 

Join us for a pop-up bird walk this Friday at Half Day Forest Preserve!

Late May is one of the most exciting times of year to explore Lake County’s forests and wetlands as colorful warblers, flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, and other migratory birds move through the region. Half Day Forest Preserve offers beautiful woodland trails, scenic wetlands, and excellent opportunities to experience spring migration at its peak.

Birders of all experience levels are welcome, from longtime enthusiasts to those just beginning to explore the world of birds and nature. Join fellow nature enthusiasts for a relaxing morning outdoors discovering the incredible diversity of birds that call Lake County home during migration season.

Date:  Friday, May 22, 2026

Time:  7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Activity Level:  Moderate, Walk ~4 miles (mostly crushed-gravel paths)

Trip Leader:   Matt Tobin   (847) 951-1483

Location:   Half Day Forest Preserve

                    S Milwaukee Ave

                    Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Registration form can be found here.

We will meet in the Shelter C parking lot, pinned in Google Maps below:

Google Maps:  Half Day Forest Preserve - Shelter C Parking Lot

Bring binoculars (if available).  We will have a few loaner pairs if you need to borrow one for the walk.

Please dress accordingly for the weather conditions and wear appropriate footwear for walking ~4 miles on mostly crushed-gravel trails. Sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water, and a hat are all good items to bring along.

Feel free to leave the walk at any time. We may extend the overall duration of the walk beyond the listed time for anyone who would like to continue a bit longer.

In case of inclement weather, the trip leader will notify all participants via email. 

Date:  Sunday, May 17, 2026

Time:  7:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Activity Level:  Moderate, Walk 3-4 miles on crushed-gravel/grass trails

Trip Leaders:  Charlotte Pavelka & Doug Reitz   (847) 347-8416

Location: Adler Memorial Park

                 1500 N Milwaukee Avenue

                 Libertyville, IL 60048

Register for Adler Memorial Park walk here.

The trip will begin in the swimming pool parking lot. The specific meeting location is pinned in Google Maps below.

Google Maps:   Adler Memorial Park - Swimming Pool Parking Lot

Bring binoculars (if available).   

Please dress accordingly for the weather and trail conditions. Terrain is mostly crushed-gravel and grass trails.

In case of inclement weather or changes in location/start time, the trip leader will notify all participants via email.  

Join us for a special bird walk celebrating World Migratory Bird Day with the Village of Mundelein, our newest Bird City Illinois community!

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, this walk is for everyone. We’ll explore the preserve’s diverse habitats and look for a wide variety of breeding and migrating birds along the way.

Expect a relaxed, welcoming walk with plenty of stops for birdwatching, shared discoveries, and time to enjoy the sights and sounds of spring migration.

Bring your curiosity and your questions. We’re always happy to help you learn and spot something new.

REGISTRATION FORM

Date:  Saturday, May 16, 2026

Time:  9:00 - 11:30 AM
Activity Level:  Moderate, Walk 3-4 miles (mostly crushed-gravel trails)

Trip Leader:   Brad Stein  (773) 213-1808

Location:   Ray Lake

                    23275 W Erhart Rd. 

                    Mundelein, IL 60060

We will meet in the parking lot, pinned below in Google Maps:

Google Maps:  Ray Lake Parking Lot

This trip will be limited to 20 participants. If you register and realize ahead of time you will not be able to make the walk, please send a text to the trip leader so another spot can be re-opened.

What to Bring:

• Binoculars (we will have a few pairs available to borrow)

• Water bottle 

• Comfortable walking shoes for walking 3-4 miles on mostly crushed-gravel trails

• Layers for the weather

Feel free to leave the walk at any time. We may extend the overall duration of the walk beyond the listed time for anyone who would like to continue a bit longer.

In case of inclement weather, the trip leader will notify all participants via email. 

Enjoy the diversity of the spring bird migration at The Lake Bluff 35th annual Bird Walk at Crab Tree Farm. We’re partnering once again with Lake Bluff Open Lands to explore this extraordinary preserve.

Led by Matt Hayner with Christian Deme

Date:  Sunday, May 10, 2026

Time:  7:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Activity Level:  Moderate, Walk 3-4 miles on dirt/grass/crushed-gravel trails

Trip Leader:  Matt Tobin  (847) 951-1483

Location: Ryerson Conservation Area

                 21950 N Riverwoods Rd

                 Riverwoods, IL 60015

Meeting Location:  Welcome Center Parking Lot

                                  From Riverwoods Road, turn west into Ryerson Conservation Area

                                  Follow entrance road through stop sign to the lot at the end of the road.

The Welcome Center Parking Lot is pinned below in Google Maps.

Google Maps:  Ryerson Welcome Center Parking Lot

This trip will be limited to 20 participants. If you register and realize ahead of time you will not be able to make the walk, please send a text to the trip leaders so your spot can be re-opened.

Please register using this link.

Bring binoculars (if available).  We will have some loaner pairs on hand if you need to borrow one for the walk.

Please dress accordingly for the weather conditions and wear appropriate footwear for walking 3-4 miles on a mix of crushed-gravel/dirt/grass/paved trails. 

The walk duration may extend beyond the scheduled time slot, but feel free to leave the walk at any time.

In case of inclement weather forcing a cancellation, the trip leader will notify all participants via email/text. 

World Migratory Bird Day 2026
Saturday, May 9, 2026

This year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!”, highlights the important role community science plays in bird conservation. From backyard birdwatchers and eBird checklists to organized bird counts and beach monitoring programs, the observations shared by people around the world help scientists better understand migration patterns, population changes, habitat needs, and conservation challenges facing birds today

Join Lake County Audubon Society as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, a global event dedicated to raising awareness about migratory birds and the importance of protecting the habitats they depend on throughout their incredible journeys.

Each spring, millions of birds travel thousands of miles across continents, stopping in places like Lake County’s lakefront, wetlands, woodlands, and prairies to rest, feed, and nest. From warblers and hummingbirds to sandhill cranes and endangered piping plovers, migration connects our local communities to ecosystems across the hemisphere.

World Migratory Bird Day is a reminder that we all play a role in helping birds thrive. Simple actions like planting native species, reducing window collisions, keeping beaches and natural areas clean, and supporting habitat conservation can make a meaningful difference.

We encourage everyone to get outside, enjoy spring migration, and take a moment to appreciate the extraordinary birds sharing our communities this season.

Discover the joy of birds and nature together in this fun, beginner-friendly program offered in partnership with the Waukegan Parks Foundation and taught by educators from the Lake County Audubon Society and its Sharing Our Shore Waukegan program. Families will learn how to identify birds by sight and sound, use binoculars and field guides, and explore local parks through hands-on activities and guided outdoor time. Designed for beginners of all ages, this program encourages curiosity, outdoor exploration, and a lasting connection to birds and the habitats they depend on.

Session 1: Birding Basics & Getting to Know Local Birds

Session 2: Habitats, Bird Behavior & Helping Birds

Session 3: Family Birding Adventures & Community Science

For more information and to register, go to waukeganparks.org/nature

*** PLEASE NOTE VENUE CHANGE ***

Join us for an engaging evening with April Vaos, educator with the Lake County Forest Preserves, as we explore the fascinating world of owls in our region.

Throughout the year, seven different species of owl can be found in or passing through Lake County. In this program, we’ll take a closer look at each of these species, from their behaviors and habitats to the remarkable adaptations that make them such effective nocturnal hunters. From silent flight to incredible hearing and vision, owls are uniquely equipped for life in the dark.

Whether you’re hoping to learn how to identify owls by sight or sound, or simply want to deepen your understanding of these remarkable birds, this program offers something for everyone.

As you learn more about these species, we encourage you to read our recent blog post on rodenticide use and its impact on raptors. Secondary poisoning is a growing threat to owls and other birds of prey, and understanding this issue is an important step toward protecting them.

New Location: Byron Colby Barn

We’re changing things up for our May Program Meeting, which is also our Annual Meeting and Board Elections. We’ll be gathering at the beautiful and historic Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake. This 1885 timber frame dairy barn was saved from demolition, carefully restored, and now serves as a centerpiece of the Prairie Crossing conservation community. This meeting will not be held at the Aspen Drive Library.

We’ll be starting a little earlier than usual, with an appetizer buffet available beginning at 6:00 PM, followed by the meeting and elections. It’s a great opportunity to spend time together, reflect on the past year, and hear what’s ahead for Lake County Audubon Society. Details about our program, Owls of Lake County, are included in the next section.

Please take a moment to review the parking location using the link here.

We also ask that you register in advance so we can be sure to have plenty of food for everyone.

We hope you’ll join us for this special evening.

🌱 How Healthy Is Your Yard?

 Discover how your yard can support birds, wildlife, and biodiversity

Join us for an inspiring and interactive program featuring Doug Tallamy, renowned entomologist, ecologist and conservationist. and co-founder of Homegrown National Park – Regenerate Biodiversity, as he shares how our everyday landscapes can play a powerful role in restoring nature.

🦉 Special Live Animal Presentation

 Naturalists from the Lake County Forest Preserves will introduce a live owl and explore its role in our local ecosystem.

🌿 What You’ll Learn

• How your yard connects to nearby savannas, wetlands, prairies, and woodlands
• Simple ways to add native plants that support birds and pollinators
• How to manage pests using safe, non-toxic approaches
• Why leaving the leaves can benefit wildlife
• The surprising history and impact of the traditional lawn
• How to make informed choices about landscape chemicals

🌼 Why Attend?

Whether you have a backyard, balcony, or community space, you’ll leave with practical ideas, helpful resources, and inspiration to create a healthier, more wildlife-friendly landscape. 

🌎 BE PART OF A GROWING MOVEMENT TO BRING NATURE HOME 🌎

 Presented by the League of Women Voters Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, in partnership with local conservation organizations working to support birds, habitat, and community connections to nature.

Exhibitors & Experts

Lake County Forest Preserve District • Lake Forest Open Lands Association

Lake Bluff Open Lands Association • Lake County Audubon Society

League of Women Voters - Lake Michigan Region • Growing Native Habitat Lake Bluff

University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists

Dr. Giovanni Aloi, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago & Author

Garden Club representatives from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff/Knollwood

Hosted by League of Women Voters Lake Forest/Lake Bluf Area

Reserve Your Spot at www.lwv-lflb.org

$10 per individual, $15 per family Attendance is limited.

Attendees can sign up at the event to win a “Prairie in the Garden” tour for 6 with Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra.

Tours to other local native gardens will be offered.

Discover the joy of birds and nature together in this fun, beginner-friendly program offered in partnership with the Waukegan Parks Foundation and taught by educators from the Lake County Audubon Society and its Sharing Our Shore Waukegan program. Families will learn how to identify birds by sight and sound, use binoculars and field guides, and explore local parks through hands-on activities and guided outdoor time. Designed for beginners of all ages, this program encourages curiosity, outdoor exploration, and a lasting connection to birds and the habitats they depend on.

Session 1: Birding Basics & Getting to Know Local Birds

Session 2: Habitats, Bird Behavior & Helping Birds

Session 3: Family Birding Adventures & Community Science

For more information and to register, go to waukeganparks.org/nature

Let’s join Friends of Waukegan Beach and get our shoreline ready for the migratory birds that need a safe place to stop and forage and for the return of our breeding birds!

All the fun is happening at the 5th annual Earth Day Cleanup at Waukegan Beach. Let’s come together to care for our greatest resource and the wildlife that depends on it.

More details on the Friends of Waukegan Beach Facebook page. 🌎🐦

Friends of Waukegan Beach Facebook Page

Join us for an evening Pop-Up Bird Walk at Middlefork Savanna as we explore the preserve at dusk. We’ll wander the trails together, taking in the sounds and activity of the landscape as day shifts into night.

With a little luck, we may hear the distinctive calls and aerial displays of American Woodcock or Wilson’s Snipe. You never quite know what the evening will bring, but that’s part of the magic.

Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve
📍 Location: Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve
📅 Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:15 PM – 8:30 PM
👥 Leader: Matt Tobin (847) 951-1483

Discover the joy of birds and nature together in this fun, beginner-friendly program offered in partnership with the Waukegan Parks Foundation and taught by educators from the Lake County Audubon Society and its Sharing Our Shore Waukegan program. Families will learn how to identify birds by sight and sound, use binoculars and field guides, and explore local parks through hands-on activities and guided outdoor time. Designed for beginners of all ages, this program encourages curiosity, outdoor exploration, and a lasting connection to birds and the habitats they depend on.

Session 1: Birding Basics & Getting to Know Local Birds

Session 2: Habitats, Bird Behavior & Helping Birds

Session 3: Family Birding Adventures & Community Science

For more information and to register, go to waukeganparks.org/nature

Follow the triumphant story of plovers Blaze and Pepper and the volunteers and agencies that worked together to welcome these sweet birds back to their breeding grounds on Waukegan's shore.

After watching the short film "Sharing Our Shore and the Return of the Piping Plover to Waukegan Shores,” filmmaker Carolyn Lueck will provide an update on where the plovers are now. Carolyn Lueck is President of Lake County Audubon Society and the writer and producer of the film.

Pollak Room AB - First Floor