THORN CREEK NATURE CENTER                        
247 Monee Road, Park Forest, IL 60466
708-747-6320 
thorn_creek@att.net

Website: tcwoods.org
Fall/Winter Brochure 

• Nature Center is open to the public Fridays 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Trails open daily year-round, dawn to dusk 
• Trails are natural surface across uneven terrain 
• Registration is required for programs. Call or email the nature center the Monday before the program. 
  

Thorn Creek Nature Preserve is a natural area of over 1000 acres jointly owned by University Park, Park Forest and the Forest Preserve District of Will County.  A Management Commission was formed in the 1970’s, made up of the landowners plus Friends of Thorn Creek Woods, the citizens group responsible in large part for preservation of these woods. Together they manage this large dry mesic oak hickory forest dominated by 150-year-old white and red oak trees with a rich understory of native shrubs, rare plants and spring wildflowers.



FRIENDS OF THORN CREEK WOODS
Join Friends of Thorn Creek Woods and support the 985-acre Thorn Creek Nature Preserve and its Nature Center. Formed in 1969, Friends efforts ensured permanent protection for this unique open space enhancing Park Forest and the region. Friends' volunteers build and repair trails, create exhibits, monitor species, staff the nature center, lead programs, and raise funds for programs and improvements. Members enjoy a quarterly newsletter and sponsor Earth Day, plus Spring and Fall meetings. Annual family membership is $20 or $50 for an organization; life membership is $200. For more information: 708-747-6320; thorn_creek@att.net; tcwoods.org; P.O. Box 32, Richton Park, IL 60471.

 Thorn Creek Volunteers 

Thorn Creek Woods as a nature preserve of over 1000 acres represents a peoples’ effort led by the Thorn Creek Preservation Association with its beginnings in the 1960’s. From the start, caring people have given their time, funds, efforts and support to preserve these woods as a natural resource that everyone can enjoy, and a place where plants and animals can live in peace.

Thorn Creek Volunteers act as advocates, build trails, create displays, lead groups, clean the nature center, the trails & preserve, collect data, monitor species, patrol boundaries, answer phones, assist with programs, and much, much more.  They make Thorn Creek Woods a living symbol of people living in harmony with nature, enriching their own lives and passing on to their children a priceless heritage.

Through all the seasons of the years, Thorn Creek Woods volunteers continue this tradition of lending time and talents, not only to protect Thorn Creek Woods, but also to make it a resource for all times and all people.

Volunteer Opportunities at Thorn Creek Nature Center and Preserve

Open Hours
Office Skills
Trailwork
Trail Watchers
Prairie Sampler and Butterfly Garden
Bakers
Nature Center Cleaning Tasks
Program Assistants
Photographs and Writings
Friends of Thorn Creek Woods
Donations of Things and Funds

Thorn Creek Nature Center and Nature Preserve depend on YOU!

Learn more about opportunities to become part of our wonderful team of volunteers.
Contact our Naturalist April Richards to see how you can help.
THORN CREEK NATURE CENTER
247 Monee Road, Park Forest, IL 6046
708-747-6320 or thorn_creek@att.net
2024 Volunteer Brochure
Volunteer Application Form

OCTOBER 2025  

TREES OF THORN CREEK WOODS  
Sunday, October 5            
1-3 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
Free. All ages.
Registration required by September 29: 708.747.6320
Come join us to learn about the secret lives of trees. Explore tree rings and what they tell us about a tree’s life and history. On a hike we will observe the growing habits of the preserve’s different tree species. Make a tree craft to take home. This program is sponsored by Thorn Creek Audubon Society. Participants should be prepared to walk more than 3/4 mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven terrain.

PRAIRIE SAMPLER AND TRAIL WORKDAY    
Sunday, October 19
1-3 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
Free! Ages 12 and older; children 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.     
Registration required by October 13: 708.747.6320.
Get down and dirty at our Thorn Creek workday. Help repair boardwalks, maintain trails, or weed and nurture our Prairie Sampler and butterfly gardens. Bring gloves, favorite tools and dress for the weather. Outdoor work is on natural surfaces across uneven terrain.

NOVEMBER 2025

AN AFTERNOON WITH FRIENDS: NATURAL HISTORY OF DRAGONFLIES 
Saturday, November 8 
1-3 p.m.
Free.  Ages 12-adult. 
Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, Park Forest 
Registration required by November 3: 708-747-6320 
Journey into the mesmerizing world of dragonflies—ancient aerial predators whose distant ancestors soared with two-and-a-half-foot wingspans over 300 million years ago! Join Marla Garrison for an image intensive presentation showcasing these aquatic insects which have been studied by aeronautical engineers for decades. Through macro photography we will take an up-close look at their development, life cycle, and behaviors. Don't miss this chance to uncover the beauty, diversity and ecological importance of Illinois' 100+ species of dragonflies and damselflies.

At our annual gathering of nature lovers which is open to the public, there will be a short Friends meeting including an update on the pedestrian bridge in the Woods, the presentation and refreshments. This program is sponsored by the Jim Marzuki Memorial Fund and will be held in an accessible facility.

FAT, FUR, FOOD AND FLIGHT
Sunday, November 16
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
All ages. Free.
Registration required by November 10: 708.747.6320.
Come explore how animals prepare for cold weather and darker days. Participants will create a bird feeder, feel how fat insulates animals and look for clues of winter preparation on a hike in the preserve. This program is sponsored by Thorn Creek Audubon Society. Participants should be prepared to walk 3/4 mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven terrain. 

PRAIRIE SAMPLER AND TRAIL WORKDAY    
Sunday, November 23
1-3 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
Free! Ages 12 and older; children 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.     
Registration required by November 17: 708.747.6320.
Get down and dirty at our Thorn Creek workday. Help repair boardwalks, maintain trails, or weed and nurture our Prairie Sampler and butterfly gardens. Bring gloves, favorite tools and dress for the weather. Outdoor work is on natural surfaces across uneven terrain.

DECEMBER 2025

HOLIDAY NATURE CRAFTS
Sunday, December 7
1-3 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
All Ages. Children 6 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.     
$5 per person.
Registration Required by December 1: 708.747.6320.
Fun family program to create holiday decorations from natural materials. Explore your unique skills with teaching artist Kim Watts-Rayon to craft twigs, seeds, pinecones and more into holiday creations to take home. All materials will be provided. This program will be held in an accessible facility.

WILD ANIMAL TRACKS          
Saturday, December 13
1-3 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
All ages. $10 per person.
Registration required by December 8: 708.747.6320.
Tracks can be clues to wild animals’ identities and behaviors. Discover how animals survive through the different seasons.   We will walk the trails searching for tracks and other animal clues.  Bring home your own track replica. Program is sponsored by Thorn Creek Audubon Society. Participants should be prepared to walk more than 3/4 mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven terrain.

JANUARY  2026

HOO EATS WHOM 
Sunday, January 18
1-3 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
All ages.  Free.
Registration required by January 12: 708.747.6320. 
On a hike, learn about the different owls in Thorn Creek Woods and their unique role in the woodland web of life. Then dissect an owl pellet to examine just “hoo” this forest predator preys upon. Our web of life program is sponsored by Thorn Creek Audubon Society. Participants should be able to walk ¾-mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven terrain. Trails can be wet, muddy, icy and snow covered. Part of program held in an accessible facility.

LEARN YOUR BIRDS BY SPRING                  
Sundays, January 25 through March 1 (6 classes)
1-3:30 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
Ages 11 or older
$50 prepaid per person for full series
Registration and payment by January 19: 708-747-6320.
Bird identification can be overwhelming but learning only a few birds each week makes it fun and easy!  Six weekly lessons and short hikes given by master birder Sue Zelek on the key shapes, markings, habits and songs for our local birds will make spring bird watching a snap! Price includes a Field Guide and other birding materials. Sponsored by the Thorn Creek Audubon Society. This program will be held indoors in an accessible facility.  For the hikes,