photo: Lake County Forest Preserve District

Nature and Education Centers

Explore and learn at these nature and education centers in the Chicago Wilderness Region:

The visitor center features a habitat mural representing animals and plants of the Lake Michigan, the beach, foredune, wetland, forest and bog habitats. Exhibits include touch items and hands-on animal and plant rubbing plates for children. The center also includes a bookstore and information desk. A short accessible trail is available in back of the center. For more information, call (219) 926-7561.

The Eden Place Nature Center features prairie and wetland landscapes. Local schools conduct nature studies and class outings at the center. For more information, call (773) 624-8686.

The purpose of the Emily Oaks Nature Center is to help the residents of Skokie and the surrounding communities build a sense of relationships through feelings and understandings with this protected natural area and the plants and animals that live here. For more information, call (847) 677-7001.

This education center is located in open woodlands along salt creek. It's a good place to see migrating birds and other woodland fauna. Waterfowl congregate here in the winter. The center offers interpretation of natural areas. For more information, call (630) 850-8110.

The mission of the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center is to educate and inspire students through activities at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Environmental education programs such as "Frog in the Bog," the Junior Ranger Biodiversity Camp, and the Mighty Acorns Biodiversity Camp teach participants to appreciate the importance of the natural environment to quality of life. For more information, call (219) 395-9555.

The purpose of The Grove is to provide opportunities to the public based on the historical and biological significance of the site. The three major goals are: 1) to provide a meaningful and educational leisure experience to visitors; 2) to restore and preserve the physical aspects of the site, including the grounds, the Interpretive Center, and the historic structures; 3) to continue to interpret the lifestyle and attitude of the Kennicott family in such areas as horticulture, education and natural science studies. For more information, call (847) 299-6096.

The mission of the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center is to educate and inspire students through activities at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Environmental education programs such as "Frog in the Bog," the Junior Ranger Biodiversity Camp, and the Mighty Acorns Biodiversity Camp teach participants to appreciate the importance of the natural environment to quality of life. For more information, call (219) 395-9555.

Founded in 1978, The Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center is a 37-acre nature preserve in the south suburbs of Chicago. A joint project of the Homewood-Flossmoor and Olympia Fields Park Districts, the center has developed a Land Management Plan that provides for prairie restoration and removal of non-native vegetation from the oak forest. The Irons Oaks Environmental Education Council provides environmental education activities for local school districts on conservation of natural resources. For more information, call (708) 481-2330.

Walk through a restored tall grass prairie, observe a herd of bison and explore the nature of our universe using hands-on exhibits at the Lederman Science Center. Fermilab, a high energy particle physics laboratory, offers many educational and environmental opportunities. For more information, visit our web site at http://ed.fnal.gov/ or call (630) 840-8258.

The Lockhart Family Nature Center's goal is to provide resources for community members to experience and learn about the beauty and importance of native ecosystems. It is located on the Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. This site features prairie, wetland and wooded communities. For more information, call (847) 482-1928.

This center strives to provide a place in the Kenosha County community where residents can appreciate nature, experience recreational opportunities, and in doing so be inspired to become responsible stewards of the environment. For more information, call (262) 857-2688.

This center is managed by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. It displays live native animals and offers indoor, interactive displays and wildlife information. A one-mile trail loop invites visitors to view restoration efforts in prairie, savanna, woodland and wetland habitats. For more information, call (630) 942-6200.

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