Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve is one of the best examples of a northern flatwoods forest, a rare northern Illinois landscape. Comprising more than 500 acres, the site supports some of Illinois' most pristine woodlands and several state threatened and endangered species. Ryerson is home to the Welcome Center, a green building that houses the Forest Preserve Environmental Education division, and serves as a classroom for numerous education programs.
Ryerson Conservation Area is located in southeast Lake County near Deerfield. The entrance and parking area are located on Riverwoods Road between Half Day Road (Route 22) and Deerfield Road, just west of the Interstate 94 Tollway.
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.
Save 25% on this program between December and February.
This program is primarily offered at Ryerson Woods and Greenbelt. It is also offered at the following locations on the dates specified:
Field Trip
4-8
Sept-Feb, Apr-early Jun at Ryerson Woods. For availability at other sites, see listings above.
Learn what makes a bird a bird, take a close-up look at feathers and discover what types of beaks are best for eating different foods. Students take a look at bird study skins, and then head outdoors to listen and look.
Save 25% on this program between December and February.
This program is primarily offered at Ryerson Woods and Greenbelt. It is also offered at the following locations on the dates specified:
Field Trip
Age 3-Grade 12
Sept-Feb, Apr-early Jun at Ryerson Woods. For availability at other sites, see listings above.
Learn more about the ecosystems in Lake County through interactive games and activities. Instructions and background information is included and our self-guided plant manual assists in your discovery of local plants.
Meet our live sheep, goats, chickens and turkeys. Use puppets to distinguish farm and wild animals, and food containers to learn what products come from farms. Note: For our animals’ health, they are not always outside. Food provided for feeding animals.
With the assistance of our plant guide, hike through the forest preserve trails and become familiar with the different species of plants and trees that call the preserve home. Many other fun activities and useful teaching tools are provided.
Call 847-968-3321 to reserve this program.
Scouts
Webelos
Apr-Oct at Lakewood, Sept-early Oct, late May-early Jun at Ryerson
Explore how water and resource conservation were used to build the Welcome Center at Ryerson Woods. This green building is a laboratory for discovering how to balance the needs of people and nature. Hands-on activities aid learning.
Can this furry friend forecast the weather or is he just sleeping? To know for sure, wake our human-sized groundhog. After waking the groundhog, go indoors to learn what’s true and false about groundhog life. Save 25% on this program between December and February.
Take a hands-on look at different animals’ homes and learn that like people – animals use homes to provide shelter, safety and a good place to raise a family. Then it’s into the woods to search for burrows, nests, holes and more.
Save 25% on this program between December and February.
This program is primarily offered at Ryerson Woods and Greenbelt. It is also offered at the following locations on the dates specified:
Field Trip
Age 3-Grade 2
Sept-Feb, Apr-early Jun at Ryerson Woods. For availability at other sites, see listings above.
There are more insects on Earth than all other animals combined. Look at the world through an insect’s eyes and discover the differences and similarities between insects and spiders. Netting and close-up observation allows students to explore a variety of local insects and spiders.
This program is primarily offered at Ryerson Woods and Greenbelt. It is also offered at the following locations on the dates specified:
Field Trip
1-8
Sept-early Oct, late May-early Jun at Ryerson Woods. For availability at other sites, see listings above.
We’re mammals, but what does that mean? We’ll look at pelts and skulls to learn similarities and differences between everything from bats to beavers. Then we’ll go outside to look for animal tracks and signs of how mammals survive the coldest winters.
Save 25% on this program between December and February.
This program is primarily offered at Ryerson Woods and Greenbelt. It is also offered at the following locations on the dates specified:
Field Trip
Age 3-Grade 12
Sept-Feb, Apr-early June at Ryerson Woods. For availability at other sites, see listings above.
