2026 Earth week celebrations: April 20-26
Discover new ways to give back and honor Mother Nature this spring! Earth Week, the 7-day celebration that encompasses the
Earth Day and Arbor Day holidays.
download the earth week calendar
Bioblitz Bash
Join us for a week-long BioBlitz Contest scavenger hunt and discover the nature all around you! From April 20 to 26, use the free iNaturalist app or website to record photos or audio of plants, animals, mushrooms, and other living species throughout the Chicago Region. Official rules and instructions for registering with iNaturalist will be emailed. Staff will review all submitted observations and select winners in two categories: ages 6 to 15 and ages 16+. Prize options include Lyman Woods honey, a nature program voucher, or a spring centerpiece.
Monday, April 20, from 12-2PM
Ages 6+ | Fee: $10 | Lyman Woods
The Lorax
Enjoy a special, interactive reading of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, then play hands-on games that will immerse you in the story’s lessons and characters. Lastly, we’ll scatter some beautiful native plant seeds that will be sure to bring the Lorax and his friends back this spring! This is a youth-only, drop-off program.
Monday, April 20, from 4-5PM
Ages 4-12 | Fee: $10 | Lyman Woods
Veggie Gardening 101
Get the dirt on everything you need to know about starting your own veggie garden at home! We’ll go through the ins and outs from garden bed prep, seed and plant selection, planting, maintaining and harvesting. Take homes may include seeds, seedlings and more! Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Please register everyone attending.
Tuesday, April 21, from 4:30-6:30PM
Ages 5+ | Fee: $10 | Lyman Woods
Earth Day, Birth Day!
Come to Fishel Park to help us celebrate the 55th Birthday of Earth Day! We’ll play some earth-inspired games, spread some native seeds to help the forest bloom, and make a giant mud cake, topped with beautiful, all-natural toppings for Mother Nature herself to enjoy. Of course, we’ll have some treats and refreshments for the rest of us. An adult must accompany their children during this program. Siblings under the age of 2 may attend for free but do not need to register.
Wednesday, April 22, from 11AM-12PM
Ages 2-5 | Residents: $5 / Non-residents: $7 | Fishel Park
Film Screening: The Invisible Mammal
Presented by Greener Grove
Join us for a film screening of The Invisible Mammal. Stay for a post-film discussion led by an expert from University of Illinois Bat Conservation Program. Space is limited and registration is required.
Wednesday, April 22, from 6:30-8:30PM
All Ages | FREE | Lincoln Center
The Giving Tree
Come share the beautiful lessons of love and generosity from this beloved classic with a unique interactive reading, followed by games, and a special tree planting that will give us the opportunity to love our trees and forest in return. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Infant siblings under the age of 1 may attend for free.
Thursday, April 23, from 3:30-4:30PM
Ages 1-10 | Residents: $10 / Non-residents: $15 | McCollum Park
FREE Seedling Giveaway
Join us in celebrating Arbor Day with a special seedling giveaway! Embrace the spirit of community and environmental stewardship by receiving complimentary tree seedlings to plant and nurture for a greener tomorrow. Seedlings are available to Downers Grove Park District residents on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Seedling varieties will be announced soon!
Friday, April 25 from 8 to 11:30AM: Hummer Park (4833 Fairview Ave.)
Friday, April 25 from 12 to 3PM: O'Brien Park (6909 S. Dunham Rd.)
Nature Photography
Explore Lyman Woods as you photograph its unique landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. Learn the fundamentals of nature and landscape photography as well as the basics of getting your photos to look their best. Participants will have a chance to display their best photo at Lyman Woods. Dress to be outdoors and bring your camera!
Friday, April 24, from 4-6PM
Ages 10+ | Fee: $20 | Lyman Woods
Restore & Balance - Forest Bathing Walk
Join our forest guide as they help you deepen your connection with the natural world through a series of gentle invitations on this peaceful hike. We’ll focus on breathing and raising awareness with your senses to help lower anxiety, support your immune system and find joy through the powerful embrace of nature. Program will involve hiking on uneven surfaces, so please wear proper footwear. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Please register everyone attending.
Saturday, April 25, from 9-11AM
Ages 12+ | Fee: $10 | Lyman Woods
Earth Week Volunteer Day
Celebrate Earth Week with the Downers Grove Park District and beautify McCollum Park for spring! Volunteers will help prepare the park for the season by mulching trees, picking up sticks and debris, and by removing trash at each location. Gloves, tools, and staff assistance will be provided. Please dress for the weather and to get messy. All volunteers will receive light snacks and a reusable water bottle to take home. Individuals, organizations, or volunteer groups are invited to lend a hand!
Saturday, April 25, from 10AM-12PM
Ages 12+ | FREE | McCollum Park
Wildflower Walk
Take a guided stroll through beautiful Lyman Woods this spring! Your tour will highlight spring wildflowers, as well as special animals one might find this time of year in our forests, meadows and creeks. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Please register everyone attending.
Saturday, April 25, from 1:30-3PM
All Ages | FREE | Lyman Woods
Snug House, Bug House
Get in the blue and green Earth Day spirit by creating bug hotels with your family! We will use recycled and natural materials to create bug hotels for you to bring home and continue the celebration. We encourage everyone to bring their own recyclables from home such as toilet paper rolls, small cardboard boxes, or recycled containers, but we will have plenty of our own to share! We will also learn why bugs are important to Earth! Please register everyone attending. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Saturday, April 25, from 3:30-5PM
Ages 3+ | Fee: $15 | Lyman Woods
Crafty Critters: Recycled Pet Toys
Did you know you can make toys for your favorite furry friend out of things you have lying around your house? Join us for a fun craft program on making dog, cat and other pet toys that you can take home! All materials will be provided, just bring your creativity! Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Please register everyone attending.
Saturday, April 25, from 6-7:30PM
Ages 3+ | Fee: $20 | Lyman Woods
Wild Day of Service
This Earth Week, please join us for a fun afternoon of volunteer service at Lyman Woods! We’ll mulch trails, clean up garbage, cut out invasive species, spread native plant seeds, plant native plugs, and more to help increase biodiversity at the preserve and make it a more welcoming place for wildlife and visitors alike. We’ll provide work gloves and all tools. Registrants must sign our volunteer waiver by the morning of service (emailed one week prior to the service day, and available onsite). Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants under the age of 18 must have a volunteer waiver signed by their legal guardian.
Sunday, April 26, from 1-3:30PM
Ages 3+ | FREE | Lyman Woods
Nature World Record Breakers
Guinness World Records has amazing records, but did you know there are a bunch of accomplishments based on nature and the environment? We’ll recreate some of those records and see if we can break them! From tree-hugging, leap frogs, tree-planting and more, let’s see if you have what it takes to be the best out there and reach for fame! This is a youth-only, drop-off program.
Sunday, April 26, from 3-4PM
Ages 5-13 | Fee: $10 | Lyman Woods
Greener Grove Earth Week Events
April 18-28
The Greener Grove's mission is to inspire and move the Downers Grove community toward a more environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly future through action, education and advocacy. Learn more about their upcoming Earth Day Events!
- Community Tree Planting: April 10 from 9AM-12PM
- Trash Talk: April 18 from 1-3PM
- Grow the Grove: April 19 from 10-11:30AM
- Book Discussion: April 20 from 7-8PM
- Conserve & Connect Tour: April 21 from 6-7:30PM
- Film Screening: April 22 from 6:30-8:30PM
- Forester's Tree Talk: April 23 from 7-8:30PM
- Sips and Saplings: April 24 from 5-7PM
- Forester's Tree Walk: April 25 from 9-11AM
- Terrarium Class: April 26 from 4-5:30PM