EVENTS
Wood Ducks, Christian Deme
Lake County Audubon Society programs are held at the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Doors open at 6:30 PM for light refreshments and time to visit with fellow members and guests. Programs begin at 7:00 PM.
We are working with the Barn's technology team to offer Zoom access to our programs whenever possible. Please check the individual event page for Zoom availability and access information.
When the Barn is unavailable, programs may be held at the Aspen Drive Library, 701 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. Please check individual event details for the program location.
Children accompanied by an adult are always welcome..
View recordings of past presentations on our YouTube page.
Bird & Nature Outings:
Unless noted otherwise, registration is required for all outings. Registration helps us know how many participants to expect and allows us to contact you if there are any schedule or weather-related changes.
Be sure to check your email before heading out!
Bird Walk with COS: Crabtree Nature Nature
Fall Birding Together at Crabtree Nature Center
A Joint Bird Walk with Lake County Audubon Society and Chicago Ornithological Society
Join Lake County Audubon Society and Chicago Ornithological Society for a morning of fall birding, shared discoveries, and great company at beautiful Crabtree Nature Center!
📅 Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with refreshments and socializing afterward
📍 Location: Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington, IL
🐦⬛ Walk Leaders: Matt Tobin (LCAS) and Vinod Babu (COS)
With its mix of woodlands, prairies, ponds, and wetlands, Crabtree offers wonderful opportunities to explore the changing seasons and discover birds on the move. More than 240 bird species have been recorded here, making it a favorite destination for birders throughout the Chicago region.
Early November brings the possibility of late fall migrants and arriving winter residents. We'll keep an eye out for sparrows, including Fox and White-throated Sparrows, migrating waterfowl, Purple Finches, and perhaps a Northern Harrier hunting over the open landscape. You never know what might turn up!
And the birding doesn't end when the walk does!
Following our morning on the trails, we invite everyone to stick around for refreshments and an informal gathering. It's a chance to swap birding stories, compare sightings, reconnect with familiar faces, and make new friends across our two birding communities.
Whether you're a longtime birder or relatively new to the hobby, we hope you'll join us for a morning celebrating the birds and the people who bring us together.
This moderate walk will cover approximately 3 to 4 miles on a combination of dirt, grass, and paved trails. Please dress for November weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring binoculars if you have them. A limited number of loaner binoculars will be available.
Registration is required. Participation is limited to 12 birders from each organization.
A friendly reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends November 1, so remember to set your clocks back one hour Saturday night!
Program Meeting: Jesse Davis
This season, doors will open at 6:30 PM, giving everyone time to enjoy light refreshments, visit with fellow members and guests, and settle in before the program begins at 7:00 PM.
Cold-blooded Neighbors: Reptiles and Amphibians in Your Backyard
What do frogs, turtles, snakes and salamanders have to do with birds and a healthy backyard?
Reptiles and amphibians are an important part of the ecosystems right outside our doors. Join Jesse Davis for a look at these often-overlooked neighbors, including their fascinating relationships with birds of prey and other wildlife. Jesse will also explore how gardening and landscaping choices can create habitat for reptiles and amphibians, the benefits they bring to our gardens, and even the evolutionary connections between birds and reptiles.
BIO
Jesse Davis, MEEd. serves as the Metro 4-H Youth Development Educator for Lake and McHenry Counties. Jesse is striving to improve the lives of youth through outstanding investigative learning, hands on exploration and environmental education programming. The goal is that through direct educational opportunities Lake and McHenry County youth will feel confident and inspired while developing the skills and abilities to be future leaders, community champions and successful and thriving adults.
Jesse comes to the University of Illinois Extension with extensive professional experience including program development, evaluation, environmental education, and interpretation, horticulture, biology, ecology, and research. He has also dedicated his career to fostering people's love for the natural world through work with the USDA Forest Service in Alaska, Pacific Whale Foundation in Hawaii, Center for Environmental Education in Duluth, MN, Kenya Institute for Organic Farming, Global Environmental Management Program and horticulture and nature programming with the Chicago Park District and its conservatories.
Originally from Minnesota, Jesse has lived and studied all over the world, including Kenya, Australia, Alaska, and Hawaii. Jesse started his educational career with Hennepin Technical College in the Twin Cities where he completed the Horticulture program. Jesse then earned a bachelor’s degree in resource management: Environmental Education and Interpretation option at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, and a master’s degree in environmental education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Native Seed Collecting at Liberty Prairie
Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) seed heads ready for harvest
RESTORATION WORKDAY AT WAUKEGAN DUNES
The remarkable story of Waukegan's piping plovers begins long before the birds arrive each spring. Healthy dunes, native plants, and thriving Lake Plain habitats provide food, shelter, and resilience for countless species - including the Great Lakes Piping Plover, Blanding's Turtle, and Pitcher's Thistle.
That's why we're excited to share the Lake Plain Coalition's new Restoration Work Days at the Waukegan Dunes. Whether you're new to habitat restoration or an experienced volunteer, these hands-on events are a wonderful opportunity to learn restoration techniques, explore this unique ecosystem, and help care for one of Illinois' most significant natural areas.
The work taking place in the dunes complements our Sharing Our Shore–Waukeganefforts on the beach, reminding us that protecting wildlife begins with protecting the habitats they depend on.
Click here for dates, meeting location, and what to bring.
Saturday, November 14, 10 am - noon
Workday activities to be announced
What to Bring: Friends and loved ones, work gloves, and water to stay hydrated. Sunscreen also recommended.
What to Wear: Dress for the weather. Natural fiber clothing recommended, closed-toe shoes required. Long pants and sturdy, waterproof hiking boots that can get sandy also recommended. Note: Site has uneven terrain.
Where to Go: Please park in the Beach Parking off of East Sea Horse Drive. We will meet a few minutes before 10 am.
Want more information? Please contact Belynda Alberte - Lake Plain Coalition Coordinator & workday leader
Email: Balberte@LCFPD.org
Phone: 847-276-5368
Partner Event: Wild Ones Annual Native Landscaping Conference,
🌿 Native Havens: Building Pollinator Habitats
Join Lake County Audubon Society at the 13th Annual Native Landscaping Conference!
📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026
🕣 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center
2007 North Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, IL
We're excited to join the Lake-to-Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones for Native Havens: Building Pollinator Habitats, a morning dedicated to creating healthier landscapes for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
Discover how native flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees can transform yards and community spaces into thriving habitats. Learn practical approaches to native landscaping while exploring the important connections between plants, pollinators, and the wildlife that depends on them.
🐦⬛ Stop by the Lake County Audubon Society Table!
We'll be there throughout the conference and would love to see you!
🌱 Plants for Birds: Discover how to make your yard more bird-friendly with native plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat.
🌿 Birdscaping Grants: Learn how your organization can receive up to $2,500 in funding for native plants to create bird-friendly gardens in publicly accessible spaces. Our grants help turn community spaces into thriving habitats for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife!
🐦⬛ Let's Talk Birds! Have questions about the birds visiting your yard, attracting more species, or supporting bird conservation? We're happy to share advice and ideas!
🧦 Shop for the Birds! Browse our nature-inspired earrings and new collection of wildlife-themed socks, including our very special Great Lakes Piping Plover socks! Inspired by the conservation work of our Sharing Our Shore–Waukegan initiative, these socks are the result of an 18-month collaboration with Socksmith to bring a Great Lakes Piping Plover design to their collection. It's a fun way to celebrate this endangered shorebird while supporting our conservation efforts!
Whether you're an experienced native gardener or just beginning to explore ways to welcome more wildlife into your yard, this conference offers plenty of inspiration.
Healthy habitats begin with native plants, and every yard can make a difference!
We hope you'll stop by, say hello, and discover more ways to make your landscape a haven for birds and pollinators.
Hosted by: Wild Ones, Lake-to-Prairie Chapter
Learn more: https://laketoprairie.wildones.org/
RESTORATION WORKDAY AT WAUKEGAN DUNES
The remarkable story of Waukegan's piping plovers begins long before the birds arrive each spring. Healthy dunes, native plants, and thriving Lake Plain habitats provide food, shelter, and resilience for countless species - including the Great Lakes Piping Plover, Blanding's Turtle, and Pitcher's Thistle.
That's why we're excited to share the Lake Plain Coalition's new Restoration Work Days at the Waukegan Dunes. Whether you're new to habitat restoration or an experienced volunteer, these hands-on events are a wonderful opportunity to learn restoration techniques, explore this unique ecosystem, and help care for one of Illinois' most significant natural areas.
The work taking place in the dunes complements our Sharing Our Shore–Waukeganefforts on the beach, reminding us that protecting wildlife begins with protecting the habitats they depend on.
Click here for dates, meeting location, and what to bring.
Friday, December 4, 10 am - noon
Workday activities to be announced
What to Bring: Friends and loved ones, work gloves, and water to stay hydrated. Sunscreen also recommended.
What to Wear: Dress for the weather. Natural fiber clothing recommended, closed-toe shoes required. Long pants and sturdy, waterproof hiking boots that can get sandy also recommended. Note: Site has uneven terrain.
Where to Go: Please park in the Beach Parking off of East Sea Horse Drive. We will meet a few minutes before 10 am.
Want more information? Please contact Belynda Alberte - Lake Plain Coalition Coordinator & workday leader
Email: Balberte@LCFPD.org
Phone: 847-276-5368
Hall Healy:Enhancing Lives of People and Endangered Cranes in North Korea
JOIN US FOR A FASCINATING PRESENTATION BY HALL HEALY ABOUT HIS WORK WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION.
After a very brief overview of the International Crane Foundation and its operations worldwide, we will focus on work the Foundation has done in the reclusive regime of North Korea, to help a village increase its sources of food, children's education and food and habitat for the migratory Red-Crowned Crane, one of the world's most endangered birds.
We will discuss how the Foundation was able to enter North Korea in the first place, what it was allowed to do to help people and cranes, the project's end results, the characteristics/standards of living of the North Korean people & their attitudes towards Americans, and the funds spent to support the project, among other topics. There will be ample opportunity for Q & A. The discussion will be led by Hall Healy, who has traveled 3 times to the country.
BIO
After 30 years in sales, marketing and management, in steel, packaging and environmental engineering, Hall Healy has served with a number of non-governmental (NGO) organizations, including as chair of the Glencoe, IL, Sustainability Task Force, Emeritus Director and past Board Chair of the International Crane Foundation, an NGO working to preserve the fifteen species of cranes and their habitats worldwide. He has traveled to North Korea several times in support of conserving cranes and their habitats in that country. Currently, he is Board Chair of Audubon Midwest Region, on the Governing Board of the Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo), and former president of the DMZ Forum, an NGO dedicated to preserving species and habitats in Korea’s Demilitarized Zone.
Mr. Healy has a BA in Political Science from Colgate University and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Executive Program. He is a member of the National Committee on North Korea (NCNK), an NGO dedicated to enhancing relations between our two countries, a past Board member of The Nature Conservancy/Illinois Chapter, and past member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Task Force on Transboundary Protected Areas and the UCN Crane Specialist Group and spent five years in the U.S. Air Force in Turkey, Vietnam and Thailand.
Bird Walk: Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve
FALL ALONG THE DES PLAINES AT SEDGE MEADOW
The Des Plaines River winds through Sedge Meadow's wetlands, meadows and woodlands, giving us a wonderful variety of habitats to explore in one morning. We'll watch for late-season sparrows and songbirds, waterfowl, woodpeckers and other birds moving through or settling in for the colder months.
📅 Sunday, October 25
⏰ 8:00–10:45 AM
📍 Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve, Wadsworth
🦉 Walk Leaders: Charlotte Pavelka & Douglas Reitz
Bird Walk: IBSP-North Unit
LATE FALL MIGRATION AT ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK, NORTH UNIT
Late October brings a changing cast of birds to the Lake Michigan shoreline. We'll explore the North Unit's shoreline, dunes and wooded areas in search of lingering songbirds and sparrows, migrating raptors, waterfowl and some of the winter visitors beginning to arrive along the lake.
📅 Friday, October 23
⏰ 8:00–10:45 AM
📍 Illinois Beach State Park, North Unit, Zion
🦉 Walk Leader: Nat Carmichael
Register for the Bird Walk at Illinois Beach State Park, North Unit
Bird Walk: Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
FALL BIRDING AT PINE DUNES
Pine Dunes offers especially rewarding birding in fall, with trails bringing us close to the preserve's many wetlands and ponds for great views across the water. We'll watch for migrating ducks and other waterfowl, wading birds, sparrows and raptors while exploring this beautiful mix of wetland, prairie and woodland habitat.
📅 Sunday, October 18
⏰ 8:00–10:45 AM
📍 Pine Dunes Forest Preserve, Antioch
🦉 Walk Leader: Matt Tobin
Bird Walk: Bowen Park for Beginners
BEGINNER BIRD WALK AT BOWEN PARK
New to birding? Bring the family and join Lake County Audubon Society and our partners at the Waukegan Park District for a fun, welcoming introduction to the birds of Bowen Park! Walk leaders Lisa Draper and Ignacio Orozco, a member of the Lake Forest College Bird Alliance, will help participants identify birds by sight and sound as we explore the park. Binoculars will be available to borrow. We'd love to welcome back those who joined us for our previous Bowen Park walk!
Registration through the Waukegan Park District is required.
📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 8:00–9:30 AM
📍 Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Rd, Waukegan
🦉 Walk Leaders: Lisa Draper & Ignacio Orozco
50 Shrubs for 50 YearsL A Legacy for Birds
🌿 50 Shrubs for 50 Years: A Legacy for Birds 🐦⬛
Celebrate Lake County Audubon Society’s 50th anniversary by helping us plant 50 native shrubs in Highland Park! As part of our Legacy Birdscaping Project, we're creating habitat that will provide food, shelter, and vital resources for birds and other wildlife for generations to come.
We'll be planting pagoda dogwood, elderberry, wild plum, ninebark, American hazelnut, and New Jersey tea. Each species has been selected to support birds and other wildlife throughout the seasons.
🌱 Join Us for a Morning of Planting!
📅 Friday, October 16, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM to Noon
📍 1207 Park Avenue West, Highland Park, IL 60035: We’ll be meeting at the pole barn with the egret banner.
🧤 Tools, gloves & guidance provided, or bring your own! Refreshments will be provided!
Everyone is welcome! Whether you're an experienced gardener or planting your very first native shrub, we'd love to have you join us.
Come spend a morning with fellow nature lovers and help us grow a lasting legacy for birds in Lake County!
Learn more about the Preserve: https://www.pdhp.org/project/the-preserve-of-highland-park/
RSVP to Liz Ricketts: ericketts@pdhp.org
LAKEFRONT LANDING at the STINER PAVILION - HABITAT RESTORATION PLANTING DAYS
LET’S PLANT FOR THE BIRDS!
We’re planting more than 650 native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers along Waukegan’s Lake Michigan shoreline. YES, SIX HUNDRED FIFTY! And WE NEED YOU!
Thanks to generous donor support, funding from our Sharing Our Shore Waukegan initiative and additional site preparation by the City of Waukegan, we’re planting even MORE habitat for birds!
Join us at Lakefront Landing to create vital stopover habitat for migrating birds and a healthier home for wildlife.
These new plantings will provide valuable food, shelter and habitat for the many birds that use Waukegan’s shoreline as an important stopover during migration.
Friday, October 9 & Saturday, October 10
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Stiner Pavilion at the Waukegan Dunes, Waukegan
We’ll gather in the parking lot nearest Stiner Pavilion and begin planting at 9:00 AM. All tools and planting supplies will be provided, and we’ll have refreshments on hand to keep everyone fueled.
What to bring: Gloves, comfortable clothes and shoes that can get dirty, and lots of energy! We’ll take care of the rest.
Planting will take place over two days, so join us for one morning or both. Many hands will help us get hundreds of new native plants in the ground and ready to welcome migrating birds.
Please check this page before the event for any schedule or weather-related updates.
Program Partners: City of Waukegan, Lake Plain Coalition, Nature Everywhere Waukegan
LAKEFRONT LANDING at the STINER PAVILION - HABITAT RESTORATION PLANTING DAYS
LET’S PLANT FOR THE BIRDS!
We’re planting more than 650 native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers along Waukegan’s Lake Michigan shoreline. YES, SIX HUNDRED FIFTY! And WE NEED YOU!
Thanks to generous donor support, funding from our Sharing Our Shore Waukegan initiative and additional site preparation by the City of Waukegan, we’re planting even MORE habitat for birds!
Join us at Lakefront Landing to create vital stopover habitat for migrating birds and a healthier home for wildlife.
These new plantings will provide valuable food, shelter and habitat for the many birds that use Waukegan’s shoreline as an important stopover during migration.
Friday, October 9 & Saturday, October 10
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Stiner Pavilion at the Waukegan Dunes, Waukegan
We’ll gather in the parking lot nearest Stiner Pavilion and begin planting at 9:00 AM. All tools and planting supplies will be provided, and we’ll have refreshments on hand to keep everyone fueled.
What to bring: Gloves, comfortable clothes and shoes that can get dirty, and lots of energy! We’ll take care of the rest.
Planting will take place over two days, so join us for one morning or both. Many hands will help us get hundreds of new native plants in the ground and ready to welcome migrating birds.
Please check this page before the event for any schedule or weather-related updates.
Program Partners: City of Waukegan, Lake Plain Coalition, Nature Everywhere Waukegan
Program Meeting: Steve Waller
Our monthly programs return in October, and we're excited to welcome you to a beautiful new setting.This season, LCAS programs will be held at the Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake, a historic barn surrounded by open space, trails and restored prairie. It feels like a natural place to gather, learn and spend an evening with others who share a curiosity about birds, nature and conservation.
This season, doors will open at 6:30 PM, giving everyone time to enjoy light refreshments, visit with fellow members and guests, and settle in before the program begins at 7:00 PM.
🌎 PLANETARY HEALTH CHECK: MANAGING PLANET HEALTH
with Steve Waller
Byron Colby Barn, Grayslake
Doors Open: 6:30 PM | Program: 7:00 PM
ZOOM MEETING INFO: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84792622270?pwd=BpVN79kc1XyDvcbYwb5hqHUuKLQGn0.1
Passcode: 010248
How do we know whether our planet is healthy, and what can we do to keep it that way?
This program focuses on the science of planetary health. After nearly twenty years of research and analysis, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research has helped develop an internationally recognized framework identifying nine critical planetary boundaries, processes scientists monitor to understand the stability and resilience of Earth's systems.
Steve Waller will introduce the Planetary Health Check, explain what these boundaries can tell us about the condition of our planet, and explore effective ways we can help protect and restore planetary health.
BIO
Steve Waller is a retired technical and environmental educator from Marquette County, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He has taught wind and solar energy courses at Northern Michigan University and now focuses on climate, energy, and forest issues. He specializes in translating complicated technical issues into easy to understand programs designed for the public.
For over 25 years, Steve has been living full-time off-grid in a solar and wind powered home located deep in the Huron Mountains of the Upper Peninsula. He recently upgraded his energy system to the latest bi-facial solar/lithium battery technology.
Steve studies and maintains an 80 acre carbon-capture forest and has been photographically documenting every species of life on that 80 acre parcel. The results are available in an iNaturalist.org website project called the Waller Research Area. His observations result in the highest iNaturalist species count of Marquette county.
Bird Walk: Captain Daniel Wright Forest Preserve
BIRDS, BINOCULARS & TAILGATING
Our Sunday walk takes us to Captain Daniel Wright Forest Preserve, where the Des Plaines River corridor and surrounding woodlands can concentrate an exciting variety of birds during fall migration. We'll explore the preserve with walk leaders Bradley Stein and Matt Tobin and see what's moving through this important inland migration route.
After the walk, stick around for a casual tailgate with fellow birders! We'll have coffee, cider and tailgate snacks waiting. Bring a chair, relax for a while and enjoy some good birding conversation after our morning on the trails.
Date: Sunday, September 27
Time: 8:00–10:30 AM
Location: Captain Daniel Wright Forest Preserve, Mettawa
Walk Leaders: Bradley Stein & Matt Tobin
Bird Walk: Illinois Beach State Park - South Unit
FALL MIGRATION AT ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK
There may be no better time to explore Illinois Beach State Park than during fall migration. With Lake Michigan guiding birds south and the park's remarkable mix of shoreline, dunes, wetlands, prairie and woodland, there's simply no telling what we might encounter. Join walk leader Nat Carmichael as we explore the park and search the shoreline, trees and trails for whatever migration sends our way.
Date: Friday, September 25
Time: 8:00–10:30 AM
Location: Illinois Beach State Park - South Unit, Zion
Walk Leader: Nat Carmichael
Register for the Bird Walk at IL Beach State Park - South Unit
Adopt-A-Beach Clean Up Day
EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
Join The Center for Conservation Leadership, Lake County Audubon Society, Lake Plain Coalition, Waukegan Beach, and Eco-Therapy Project for a morning of beach cleanup, plant ID, and mindfulness practice!
Adopt-a-Beach cleanups are a fun, easy way to give back to your community and keep plastic pollution out of the Great Lakes. It's easy to get involved!'
Registration: https://adopt.greatlakes.org/s/cleanupregistration?c__recId=a2oPm000003ku2HIAQ
Bird Walk: McDonald Woods Forest Preserve
Fall Migration at McDonald Woods
Join trip leaders Brad Stein and Matt Tobin for a fall morning of birding at McDonald Woods Forest Preserve. September is an exciting time to explore the preserve as migrating songbirds move through Lake County on their journey south. We’ll take our time looking and listening for fall migrants as well as the resident birds that make McDonald Woods their home.
This moderately paced walk will cover approximately 3 to 4 miles, primarily on crushed-gravel trails with some wood-chip paths. Birders of all experience levels are welcome, and a limited number of loaner binoculars will be available for anyone who needs a pair.
Registration is required and space is limited. Registration will close when the walk reaches capacity. If your plans change after registering, please let the trip leaders know so your spot can be made available to someone else.
Register for the McDonald Woods Bird Walk
Come spend a September morning with us enjoying fall migration and exploring one of Lake County’s beautiful forest preserves!
RESTORATION WORKDAY AT WAUKEGAN DUNES
Restoration Workday
Second Work Day focusing on removal of Autumn Oliver
The remarkable story of Waukegan's piping plovers begins long before the birds arrive each spring. Healthy dunes, native plants, and thriving Lake Plain habitats provide food, shelter, and resilience for countless species - including the Great Lakes Piping Plover, Blanding's Turtle, and Pitcher's Thistle.
That's why we're excited to share the Lake Plain Coalition's new Restoration Work Days at the Waukegan Dunes. Whether you're new to habitat restoration or an experienced volunteer, these hands-on events are a wonderful opportunity to learn restoration techniques, explore this unique ecosystem, and help care for one of Illinois' most significant natural areas.
The work taking place in the dunes complements our Sharing Our Shore–Waukeganefforts on the beach, reminding us that protecting wildlife begins with protecting the habitats they depend on.
Nature FunFest
NATURE FUNFEST IS THIS SATURDAY!
Birds, nature walks, food trucks, games and a whole lot of outdoor fun... sounds like a pretty great way to spend a Saturday morning!
Join Lake County Audubon Society and our friends from the Lake County Nature Network for Nature FunFest, a FREE event for all ages celebrating the incredible nature right here in Lake County.
LCAS will be leading short bird and nature walks throughout the morning, so grab your binoculars or just bring your curiosity! We’ll have a limited number of loaner binoculars available, too, so you don’t need your own to join the fun.
Pick up a bingo card and make your way around the festival to visit all the wonderful Nature Network partners. Learn something new, fill your card, grab a bite from one of the food trucks and enjoy a morning outside!
Saturday, August 29 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Round Lake Area Park District 814 W. Hart Road, Round Lake
FREE and open to everyone!
Come say hello, take a walk with us and see how much nature you can fit into one Saturday morning.
Buzz the Garden: Deerfield Historic Village Birdscaping Tour
Buzz the Garden at Deerfield Historic Village
Sunday, August 23 | 2:00–4:00 PM
Join Lake County Audubon Society at Deerfield Historic Village for Buzz the Garden, an afternoon celebrating native plants, birds, pollinators, and the many ways we can create healthier habitats in our own communities.
LCAS was pleased to provide a Birdscaping Grant to support the addition of native plants at the Historic Village, helping create habitat that provides food and shelter for birds and other wildlife.
Stop by the LCAS table from 2:00–4:00 PM! We'll have lots of information and resources about Plants for Birds and how you can make your own yard or community space more bird-friendly, along with coloring pages and nature activities for kids.
We’ll also have our bird and nature themed earrings and our NEW SOCK LINE featuring birds, butterflies and. more!
We'll be joined by other local conservation partners, so come explore the garden, learn more about the wildlife that depends on native plants, and discover simple ways you can help birds at home.
Dandelion Wine Festival
Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival
Saturday, August 22 • Noon – 6:00 PM
Bowen Park, Waukegan
Come visit Lake County Audubon Society at this beloved Waukegan tradition celebrating the arts, music, and the legacy of Ray Bradbury! We'll be sharing information about our Sharing Our Shore - Waukegan program, native plants, bird conservation, and upcoming programs, and we'll have our full collection of nature-inspired merchandise available, including the brand-new Great Lakes Piping Plover socks, our popular bird and butterfly socks, and our handcrafted nature-themed earrings. Whether you're looking to learn more about local conservation or simply want to say hello, we'd love to see you there!
Bird Walk: IL Beach State Park - North Unit
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Activity Level: Moderate, Walk 3-4 miles (mix of sand, crushed-gravel, dirt, and paved terrain)
Trip Leaders: Charlotte Pavelka & Doug Reitz (847) 347-8416
Location: Illinois Beach State Park North Unit
Zion, IL 60099
Registration required: IBSP-North Registration Link
We will meet in the IBSP North - Sand Pond Parking Lot, pinned in Google Maps below.
Google Maps: IBSP North - Sand Pond Parking Lot (meeting location)
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 3-4 miles on an assortment of terrain. Sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water, and a hat are good items to bring along, in case. There is an outhouse located right next to the parking lot where we'll meet for the walk.
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.
RESTORATION WORKDAY AT WAUKEGAN DUNES
Restoration Workdays Begin August 8
The remarkable story of Waukegan's piping plovers begins long before the birds arrive each spring. Healthy dunes, native plants, and thriving Lake Plain habitats provide food, shelter, and resilience for countless species - including the Great Lakes Piping Plover, Blanding's Turtle, and Pitcher's Thistle.
That's why we're excited to share the Lake Plain Coalition's new Restoration Work Days at the Waukegan Dunes. Whether you're new to habitat restoration or an experienced volunteer, these hands-on events are a wonderful opportunity to learn restoration techniques, explore this unique ecosystem, and help care for one of Illinois' most significant natural areas.
The work taking place in the dunes complements our Sharing Our Shore–Waukeganefforts on the beach, reminding us that protecting wildlife begins with protecting the habitats they depend on.
Waukegan Lakefront History & Nature Walking Tour
Lake County Audubon Society and Sharing Our Shore – Waukegan are partnering with the Waukegan Park District and the Waukegan Historical Society to offer Waukegan Lakefront History & Nature Walking Tour on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 6pm to 7pm at Waukegan Municipal Beach, located at 201 E. Seahorse Drive. Tour starts outside the Stiner Pavilion.
This walking tour program is free, no preregistration is required and it is for all ages! Participants are encouraged to stay after the tour to enjoy the Waukegan Band concert perform.
For more information, go to waukeganparks.org/history
Friends of the Green Bay Trail Day
🌿 🦋 Join Lake County Audubon at Green Bay Trail Day! 🦋🌿
We'll be at Location #14 along the trail, sharing information about local birds, our Plants for Birds initiatives, upcoming bird walks, the Waukegan Piping Plovers, and other ways you can help support wildlife in Lake County.
📅 Saturday, July 25
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Green Bay Trail between Shelton Park and Hubbard Woods, Glencoe
This free community event features live music, food, family-friendly activities, educational exhibits, and opportunities to explore one of the North Shore's most impressive habitat restoration projects. Be sure to visit the butterfly hatchery, learn about the trail's history, and discover the many recreational opportunities along the Green Bay Trail.
🛍️ Stop by the Lake County Audubon table to shop our beautiful Jabebo earrings and NEW bird- and insect-themed socks. Don't miss our special-edition Monarch Butterfly & Caterpillar earrings and Monarch socks for men, women, and kids!
💳 Cash, Zelle and credit cards accepted. Merchandise is available while supplies last.
We hope you'll stop by and say hello!
Bird Walk: Bowen Park
Presented in partnership with the Waukegan Park District, this family-friendly walk is a wonderful introduction to birding. Beginning at the Haines House Museum, participants will learn how to identify common birds by both sight and sound while exploring the beautiful natural areas of Bowen Park. Binoculars will be available to borrow, and experienced birders from Lake County Audubon Society will be on hand to help participants of all ages discover the birds that call Waukegan home.
Advance registration through the Waukegan Park District is required.
📅 Saturday, July 25, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
📍Bowen Park
🦉 Trip Leaders: Brad Stein & Lisa Draper
Prairie Crossing Native Garden Walk
🌿 Looking for ideas to make your yard more beautiful, attract more birds and butterflies, or support local conservation? Join the fun and see what native landscaping actually looks like
Many people support the idea of native plants but have never seen a mature native garden. The Prairie Crossing gardens provide real-world examples of how native plants can be used in residential landscapes that are both beautiful and functional.
🦋 Experience wildlife up close
Native gardens are alive with pollinators, butterflies, dragonflies, and birds. Visitors often discover that native plants create vibrant habitats that support far more wildlife than traditional lawns and ornamental landscaping.
🐦 Learn how to attract birds
Native plants provide the seeds, berries, nectar, and insects that birds depend on throughout the year. Garden walk participants can gather ideas for creating their own bird-friendly spaces at home.
🌱 Get practical gardening inspiration
Whether you have a large yard, a small suburban lot, or even a townhouse garden, you'll see plant combinations, design ideas, and maintenance approaches that can be adapted to many different settings.
🌎 Discover how gardening can support conservation
Native gardens help address habitat loss, support declining pollinator populations, improve water quality, and increase climate resilience. Visitors can learn how small actions in their own yards can contribute to larger conservation efforts.
🏡 Explore one of Illinois' most innovative conservation communities
Prairie Crossing is widely recognized for integrating conservation, agriculture, open space, and community planning. The garden walk provides a unique opportunity to experience this nationally recognized model firsthand. Prairie Crossing
📸 Enjoy a beautiful summer outing
Even if you're not a gardener, the walk offers colorful blooms, scenic landscapes, wildlife viewing opportunities, and plenty of chances for photography and inspiration.
Representatives from Lake County Audubon Society and other conservation partners will be on hand from 1:00-2:00 pm to share information about local birds, our Plants for Birds initiatives, and ways you can get involved in protecting wildlife and habitat right here in Lake County.
This free event is open to all. We hope to see you there! 🐦🦋🌻
10:00AM *Opening Remarks - Station Village gazebo
10:15-1:00PM Visit the gardens in any order:
568 BLUESTEM LN
1459 WILD IRIS LN.
1128 HEDGEROW DR.
812 BLAZING STAR RD.
896 BLAZING STAR RD.
872 BLAZING STAR RD.
1423 TURKS CAP RD.
1:00 - 2:00PM Native Garden Party - Station Village gazebo
Bird and Nature Walk: Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
Looking for an excuse to get outside on a beautiful summer morning? Join us this Saturday, July 11, from 7:30–10:00 a.m. as we explore one of Lake County's natural gems - Pine Dunes Forest Preserve.
REGISTRATION LINK IN BIO. https://forms.gle/vPMw59nso2wsnzsP7
Mid-July is a wonderful time to visit. We'll listen for the songs of Indigo Buntings, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Red-eyed Vireos, Common Yellowthroats, Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Bluebirds, and other summer residents, but we'll also be keeping an eye on the wetlands. With a little luck, we may find Pied-billed Grebe chicks sporting their adorable striped heads or a Green Heron quietly stalking among the lily pads.
The birds are only part of what makes Pine Dunes so special.
The preserve is alive with native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, and other plants that support an incredible diversity of wildlife. Along the way, we'll also share a little of the fascinating history of Pine Dunes and how this remarkable preserve came to be.
One of our walk leaders, Matt, is also an avid butterfly enthusiast. If the butterflies are flying, he'll be helping us spot and identify them along the way. It should be one of those mornings where every turn offers something new … birds, butterflies, native plants, and all the fascinating connections between them.
Whether you're an experienced birder or just looking for a relaxing morning outdoors, we'd love to have you join us.
📅 Saturday, July 11
🕢 7:30–10:00 a.m.
📍 Pine Dunes Forest Preserve
Trip Leader: Brad Stein (773) 213-1808
Matt Tobin (847) 951-1483
Bring your binoculars (or borrow a pair from us!), wear comfortable walking shoes, and come see what we discover together!
📸 Nat Carmichael, Carolyn Lueck, Matt Tobin
Bird Walk: Volo Bog State Natural Area
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
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.
Little Fort Film Festival
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
