Issuu

2026–2028

School Programs & Resources

Your Forest Preserves are Here to Help First off, let me say thank you for all you do for our communities. We appreciate you! The Lake County Forest Preserves is here as a resource for you and your students. As the principal guardian of Lake County’s natural areas and open space since 1958, the Forest Preserves sets the standard in environmental and history education. We know curriculum alignment is one of the most important factors teachers consider when choosing a field trip for their students. Our school programs support Illinois Learning Standards. Teachers like you know the value of hands-on, real-world experiences. Our field trips and in-school programs—led by talented educators—give students the opportunity for authentic experiences to learn, discover and apply what they know. Engaging programs immerse your students in the natural and human history of Lake County, using historical objects, artifacts, biofacts and live animals. Our programs incorporate topics such as animal adaptations, life cycles, sustainability, dinosaurs, habitat restoration, Illinois’ glacial history and local stories of the various people who have called this area home, starting with Native Peoples. We know bus costs can make taking students on a field trip cost-prohibitive. Ease that burden by choosing a high-quality, affordably priced field trip right here in Lake County. Programs are offered at several locations countywide. That makes your bus ride shorter and less expensive. If transportation is still a barrier, book our educators to visit your classroom in-person or virtually. Our updated grants program, Beyond the Classroom, offers bus stipends and fee waivers for Lake County public schools with limited financial resources. In addition to student programs, we offer professional learning opportunities and educator resources that can be tailored to specific grade levels, subject areas and teaching styles. Whether you’re looking for grade-specific support, topic-focused resources or flexible approaches that match your instructional style, we’re happy to collaborate to meet your needs. Inclusivity is a key value for all our education experiences. We’re glad to accommodate different languages you or your students may speak, provide diverse teaching methods and work to complement your school’s unique culture. We look forward to working together. Sincerely,

Alyssa Firkus Director of Education Information and pricing effective as of August 12, 2026. Subject to change periodically. DESIGN

Brett Peto WRITING

Eileen Davis, Alyssa Firkus, Matt Mulligan, Brett Peto, Sarah Salto, Nicole Stocker PHOTOGRAPHY

This booklet is printed on 10% post-consumer recycled paper.

Jen Berlinghof, Joyce Dever, Tim Elliott, Liz Rose Fisher, Jeff Goldberg, Kimberly Kingen, Joe McDonald, R. Scott McNeill, Justine Neslund, Brett Peto, John Weinstein, Thomas G. Wilson

Digital Resources

Scan the QR code below or visit LCFPD.org/resources.

Education Resources Webpage: Find videos, printable activities and curricula you can use in your classroom. Nature and History Blogs: Visit the Lake County Nature Blog and Lake County History Blog to find information on local nature and history. DunnTV: The Dunn Museum’s YouTube channel, DunnTV, provides content on local history and Museum-related topics for your classroom.

@LCFPD

Find Primary Sources: Check out the Dunn Museum on the Illinois Digital Archives website to find primary sources on local history from the Museum’s archives at LCFPD.org/collections. Podcast: Listen to our award-winning Words of the Woods podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you prefer at LCFPD.org/WOTW. Hear interviews with experts discussing local nature and history.

Beyond the Classroom

Qualifying schools receive a letter in the mail addressed to their principal.

Our Beyond the Classroom grants help reduce the cost of programs for Lake County public schools with limited financial resources. The grant provides a fee waiver for field trips and a $250 bus stipend to eligible school districts. A limited number of fee waivers are available for in-school programs. We reevaluate each district’s eligiblity every year. Waivers are applied on a first-come, first-served basis. Hundreds of students benefit from this program each year thanks to generous private donations made to the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Teacher Trainings

We can help you meet your professional development and continuing education goals.

Environmental and history educators are available to provide training for teachers. Trainings are held throughout the year and listed on our website at LCFPD.org/calendar. Email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org or call us at 847-968-3321 to schedule a custom workshop. 1

How to Book Programs Step 1: Search Programs Begin your school program registration process by viewing available options for your desired grade level, either in this booklet or online at LCFPD.org/school. We can adapt programs to meet your needs. Please ask about curriculum adjustments and ADA accommodations. All programs support one or more Illinois Learning Standards—see specific, current standards for each program at LCFPD.org/standards. Options include field trips, in-school, virtual or self-guided programs. Schools, homeschool groups and scout groups are welcome to submit program inquiries.

Step 2: Submit Inquiry Once you have an idea of your interest, submit a program inquiry at LCFPD.org/school, call 847-968-3321 or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org. The program inquiry requests your school or organization name; group contact; grade levels; preferred program type, month and weekdays; and other information. Our environmental and history educators will work with you to identify the best options for your group.

Step 3: Connect With Us View additional resources available to use at any time or to enhance your professional development. • • • •

Free educational resources: LCFPD.org/resources Subscribe to our e-news: LCFPD.org/enews-signup Professional development events: LCFPD.org/calendar Email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org with questions.

Ready to register?

this QR code or visit LCFPD.org/school, Virtual Programs Scan then complete an inquiry form. You may also email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org or call 847-968-3321.

Can’t travel to a preserve? Our educators will visit your classroom virtually to deliver engaging programs. Virtual programs run 30–45 minutes and support Illinois Learning Standards. They are available year-round unless otherwise noted. Please ask about curriculum adjustments and ADA accommodations. Pricing • First classroom: $30 ($60 nonresidents) • Each additional classroom attending the same program on the same date: $20 ($30 nonresidents) • Beyond the Classroom-eligible schools: First program $20, additional programs booked the same day $10

High School Opportunities

Find full details in the following pages.

Flexible programming is available for high school groups who may face challenges with field trips. Options include short educator talks, longer interactive programs, virtual experiences, information booths at schools and supporting research. Our educators are happy to work with you to customize programs.

Adlai Stevenson: The Man from Libertyville Available year-round • Grade 9–12 • 45 Minutes–1 Hour • Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home (Mettawa) • In-school or virtual program Connecting to the Underground Railroad Available year-round • Grade 9–12 • 45 Minutes–1 Hour • Field trip, in-school or virtual program Exploring Social Justice and Civil Rights Through Primary Sources Available year-round • Grade 9–12 • 45 Minutes–1 Hour • Field trip, in-school or virtual program Human Impacts on Biodiversity Available November–early March • Grade 9–12 3.5 Hours (includes 30-minute lunch break) • Field trip only

Native Peoples’ Continuing Stories Available year-round • Grade 9–12 • 30–45 Minutes • Field trip, in-school or virtual program Sustainable Solutions: Green Infrastructure Available April–May, September–November Grade 9–12 • 1.5 Hours • Field trip only Voices of the Civil War Available year-round • Grade 9–12 • 45 Minutes–1 Hour • Field trip, in-school or virtual program Wildlife Monitoring: Dragonflies and Damselflies Available early May–mid-October • Grade 7–12 • 2 Hours • Field trip, in-school or virtual program

Lake County During WWII Available year-round • Grade 9–12 • 30–45 Minutes • Field trip, in-school or virtual program 3

Field Trips // Environmental Education Visit a forest preserve for an in-person program guided by one or more environmental educators. Please ask about curriculum adjustments and ADA accommodations.

Pricing & Group Sizes • Prices vary and are listed with each program. • Group sizes vary depending on the program topic. • In most cases, concurrent programs/groups are available. • For schools eligible for Beyond the Classroom grants, the program fee is waived and a $250 bus stipend is issued after the program date.

Animal Adaptations Available year-round • Grade 3–8 • 1.5 Hours What do “playing dead” and cheek pouches have in common? Both are adaptations animals use for survival. Students search for camouflaged animals during an outdoor walk. A variety of animal skins show how well wildlife is suited for its habitat. Outdoor activities illustrate unique behavioral adaptations. •

$55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Animals in Winter Available December–February • Age 3–Grade 1 • 1 Hour Students learn how local animals have adapted to survive winter. We’ll discover why snow is important and why animals don’t need long underwear, then explore outside for signs of winter life. •

$45 ($80 nonresident) per group

Biomimicry Available mid-April–mid-November • Grade 3–5 • 1.5 Hours Nature can inspire us in many ways. On an outdoor exploration, students will put on their engineering hats as they search for examples of survival strategies in nature. They will learn about adaptations of local plants and animals and brainstorm how these strategies could help us as humans. Students will understand the natural inspiration that went into the design of the net-zero energy Ryerson Education Center (Riverwoods). • •

Ryerson Conservation Area (Riverwoods) $55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Ready to register?

Scan this QR code or visit LCFPD.org/school, then complete an inquiry form. You may also email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org or call 847-968-3321.

Bird Adaptations Available year-round • Grade 3–8 • 1.5 Hours What can a bird’s feet and beak tell you about where it lives and what it eats? Students discover the unique structures and functions of birds and how these physical and behavioral adaptations help birds survive, grow and reproduce. Taking on the role of amateur ornithologist for the day, students will join our educators on a bird walk to document the diversity and numbers of birds they observe. The data collected will be shared with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology through eBird. •

$55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Glacial Erosion Available April–May, September–November • Grade 3–6 • 1.5 Hours Students learn how water and ice formed the landscape of Lake County during the last Ice Age. Groups collect data with soil probes and interpret the results to understand how erosion and deposition continue to change our landscape. • •

Independence Grove (Libertyville) $55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Habitat Heroes Available September–May • Grade 4–8 • 1.5 Hours Students participate in hands-on activities to learn about the impacts of non-native plant species on local biodiversity. Included is a supervised restoration activity, which varies by season. Waiver and release forms are required. •

$55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Homes Available year-round • Age 3–Grade 2 • 1 Hour Take a hands-on look at animal homes and learn that, like people, animals use homes to provide shelter, safety and a good place to raise a family. Then head into the woods to search for burrows, nests and holes. •

$45 ($80 nonresident) per group

Field Trips // Environmental Education Visit a forest preserve for an in-person program guided by one or more environmental educators. Please ask about curriculum adjustments and ADA accommodations.

Human Impacts on Biodiversity • Available November–early March Grade 9–12 • 3.5 Hours (includes 30-minute lunch break) Discover how human activity can alter local ecosystems and biodiversity. A supervised habitat restoration activity illustrates the impact of non-native, invasive plant species on local ecosystems. Students conduct a plant monitoring activity to learn how standardized observations and measurements help scientists monitor plant communities over time. Waivers and release forms are required. •

$55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Insects and Spiders Available mid-May–mid-October • Grade 1–8 • 1–1.5 Hours Look at the world through an insect’s eyes and discover the differences and similarities between insects and spiders. Netting and close-up observation allow students to explore a variety of local insects and spiders. • •

Grade 1–2: 1 hour, $45 ($80 nonresident) per group Grade 3–8: 1.5 hours, $55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Mammals Available year-round • Age 3–Grade 8 • 1–1.5 Hours We’ll look at pelts and skulls to learn similarities and differences between everything from bats to beavers and how these animals are adapted to their habitats. Then we’ll go outside to look for animal tracks and signs. • •

Age 3–Grade 2: 1 hour, $45 ($80 nonresident) per group Grade 3–8: 1.5 hours, $55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Maple Syruping: The Science of Syrup Available in March • Age 4–Grade 6 • 1 Hour Students learn how trees turn water, the sun’s energy and air into sap. Then it’s into the sugar bush to practice drilling and watch the sap flow. A stop at the evaporator shows how sap becomes syrup. Everyone gets a chance to compare sap and taste real Ryerson maple syrup. • • 6

Ryerson Conservation Area (Riverwoods) Age 4–Grade 6: 1 hour, $60 ($95 nonresident) per group

Ready to register?

Scan this QR code or visit LCFPD.org/school, then complete an inquiry form. You may also email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org or call 847-968-3321.

Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Available mid-April–mid-November • Grade 6–8 • 1.5 Hours Nature-based solutions take inspiration from nature to manage the impacts of climate change. Your students will explore the net-zero energy Education Center and grounds at Ryerson Conservation Area (Riverwoods) to discover the many ways nature inspired the design and construction. • •

Ryerson Conservation Area (Riverwoods) $55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Plant Life Cycles Available mid-April–mid-October • Grade 1–2 • 1 Hour Take an up-close look at seeds. Discover their needs and examine plant life cycles. Learn how seeds are dispersed by examining burs, nuts and other seeds. Find developing seeds and learn more about their needs with an outside walk. •

$45 ($80 nonresident) per group

Pond Study Available late May–early October • Grade 4–6 • 1.5 Hours Use nets to catch tadpoles, snails and dragonfly nymphs. Budding scientists work with microscopes and identification keys to examine their catch and observe the interactions among organisms. Students will use species diversity to assess the pond’s health. •

$55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Predator Prey Available year-round • Grade 3–8 • 1.5 Hours Discover the unique adaptations that enable predators and prey to survive. An outdoor simulation of predator and prey interactions highlights the important role predators play in ecosystems. Meet a live, local predator and observe its unique adaptations up close. •

$55 ($95 nonresident) per group 7

Field Trips // Environmental Education Visit a forest preserve for an in-person program guided by one or more environmental educators. Please ask about curriculum adjustments and ADA accommodations.

Reptiles and Amphibians Available year-round • Age 3–Grade 6 • 1–1.5 Hours Eeekk! It’s slimy and slithery ... or is it? Students compare and contrast reptiles and amphibians through hands-on activities, and discover how specialized body parts help local reptiles and amphibians grow and survive. • •

Age 3–Grade 2: 1 hour, $45 ($80 nonresident) per group Grade 3–6: 1.5 hours, $55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Sustainable Solutions: Green Infrastructure Available April–May, September–November Grade 9–12 • 1.5 Hours There’s more than one path to sustainability. Two buildings at Ryerson Conservation Area (Riverwoods) are real-world examples of how technology and resources combine to balance the needs of people and nature. Explore similarities and differences between sustainable strategies implemented in the LEED Platinum-certified Ryerson Welcome Center and the Phius (Passive House Institute US) certified net-zero energy Ryerson Education Center. • •

Ryerson Conservation Area (Riverwoods) $55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Web of Life Available spring, summer and fall • Grade 3–6 • 1.5 Hours Students study the interactions between organisms and the flow of energy through ecosystems as they work in teams to build food webs with pelts, skulls and artifacts. Explorations show what living things need to survive. The living web activity demonstrates how even the smallest influences are felt throughout the web. •

$55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Wildlife Monitoring: Dragonflies and Damselflies Available early May–mid-October • Grade 7–12 • 2 Hours Explore the vital role dragonflies and damselflies play in aquatic ecosystems. Students will use real-world scientific tools and techniques to collect and identify dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, along with other aquatic macroinvertebrates. Water-quality testing, including dissolved oxygen, pH and salinity, will give students a more comprehensive understanding of water quality. • 8

$55 ($95 nonresident) per group

Field Trips // History Education Visit the Dunn Museum (Libertyville) or a historical site for an in-person program guided by one or more history educators. Please ask about curriculum adjustments and ADA accommodations.

Adlai Stevenson: The Man from Libertyville Available year-round • Grade 9–12 • 1 Hour Learn more about Adlai E. Stevenson’s life and career by stepping into history at his home in Mettawa. An influential figure in the political history of the U.S., Stevenson was governor of Illinois, ran twice for president as the Democratic national candidate and served as ambassador to the United Nations. • • •

Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home (Mettawa) $3/student ($5/student nonresident) 15 student minimum/30 student max

Connecting to the Underground Railroad Available year-round • Grade 5–12 • 1 Hour Northeastern Illinois was the strongest area of anti-slavery sentiment in the state. Hear the stories of local involvement in anti-slavery activities and the Underground Railroad while analyzing primary and secondary sources. • •

$3/student ($5/student nonresident) 15 student minimum/30 student max

Dinosaur Tales Available year-round • Age 4–Grade 2 • 30–45 Minutes What are fossils and what can they tell us about life long ago? Learn more by looking at fossil casts from dinosaurs that roamed this land more than 65 million years ago. • • •

Dunn Museum (Libertyville) $3/student ($5/student nonresident) 15 student minimum/30 student max 9

Discovering Dinosaurs Available year-round • Grade 3–5 • 45 Minutes–1 Hour Learn what the fossil record can tell us about dinosaurs in our area by examining fossil casts and fossils, looking at paleoart, and interactive conversation. • • •