Field Experiences

^{Capacity: 50}

Field experience Lincoln Park Zoo’s level III accredited arboretum, home to 7,000+ individual woody plants. This field experience will highlight some of the beautiful legacy trees on site, including aging bur oaks, and the tree care needed to maintain a canopy representing over 500 taxa. Established in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature and providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago. Learn how collaborations with other local institutions have helped move forward our tree program and the advances we have made in the last 14 years since the horticulture department at the zoo was established. Come and experience our 49-acre arboretum, an urban oasis for wildlife, for all.

^{Capacity: 50}

Take a journey through Chicago's green history highlighting Frederick Law Olmsted's enduring impact on urban landscapes. This tour will feature the Village of Riverside, designed by Olmsted and his partner Calvert Veaux, notably the “first planned suburb” in the United States and a designated National Landmark. This unique town, located just southwest of Chicago, was intentionally designed to along the Des Plaines River, which influenced its curvilinear streets, and features green space throughout. Learn from the Riverside Village Forester about inspiring projects in the community including white oak legacy tree planting program and volunteer projects. Come to learn from historians perspective about Olmsted’s influence on urban forestry today.

^{Photo Credit: Mike Collins}

^{Capacity: 50}

Explore innovative solutions in our urban environment for reducing flooding by increasing natural climate solutions. Several concerned organizations are implementing Green Infrastructure practices to make Chicago more resilient to climate change. Join some of the practitioners implementing this work on a bus field experience exploring green schoolyards, green buildings, tree plantings, and how the city is thinking through maintenance challenges. We’ll talk about community engagement, challenges, and hopes for the Green Infrastructure movement.

^{Capacity: 45}

Explore the natural beauty of Chicago while learning about conservation efforts and community initiatives such as Roots & Routes. From the historic American elms of Grant Park, Shedd Aquarium’s native landscaping and citywide Action Days, to the redevelopment of Northerly Island, this walking tour combines discussions on conservation and community. Experience firsthand the commitment to creating and sustaining the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, the longest stretch of lakefront natural area in the Chicago Park District system with multiple partners and community groups. Participants will be walking outside, please remember to dress appropriately for the weather.

^{Capacity: 50 per session (2 sessions offered, each approximately 1 hour)}

This one-hour Indoor Forest Bathing experience will provide a taste of the healing and wellness benefits of guided nature and forest therapy. The program will start with a brief presentation on the history and practice of forest bathing. We will then move into guided, sensory invitations with beings from our natural world. The program will close with the opportunity for connection and sharing of stories of what you noticed during your experience. This session will be led by Jane M. Wandless, ANFT Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide.