About Evanston

Natural Areas

Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Print

Evanston Nature Passport

Get to know Evanston's most amazing natural sites through the Evanston Nature Passport Adventure!

July 13-August 21, 2024

 

The Evanston Nature Passport includes a map and a variety of guided and self-guided nature activities that you, your family, and friends can continue to enjoy at 6 locations from July 13th-August 21st. Each nature site will have free activities for you to complete, as you try to collect all 6 nature stamps on your passport along the way. Free activities will include fishing, birding, plant identification hikes, a mindfulness walk, and more!

 

How to participate

    1. Pick up your  Evanston Nature Passport  at any Evanston Parks and Recreation Community Centers as well as both Evanston Public Library locations until August 21st, as supplies last.
    2. Visit all 6 natural areas highlighted in the passport between July 13-August 21.
    3. Complete the nature activity at each location.
    4. Search for the hidden letterbox stations at each location to stamp your Nature Passport stamp page.
    5. Once your Evanston Nature Passport adventure is complete, cut out the stamp page of the passport and turn it in at either library location or one of the community centers locations listed below by August 21st to be entered into a raffle for the chance to win fun nature prizes and free critter visits with the Ecology Center.
      • Chandler-Newberger Community Center
      • Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
      • Levy Senior Center
      • Noyes Cultural Center
      • Robert Crown Community Center
      • South End Community Center
      • Evanston Public Library - Main Library
      • Evanston Public Library - Robert Crown Branch

    6. Winners will be announced at the free Wild & Scenic Film Festival at James Park on August 23rd (7-9pm).

 

Nature Passport Stamp Box Clues:

Each natural area listed below has a hidden Nature Passport stamp box. Once you complete each nature activity, search for the stamp box to stamp your passport. Some stamp boxes are harder to find than others, so you can use these clues to help you on your Nature Passport adventure!
  • Lovelace Park: Don't search high or down low...but in-between the pond and the meadow!
  • Perkins Woods: Look for a sign that has a name and little other information...here you will find the Perkins Woods stamping station!
  • Ladd Arboretum: Northeast of the Ecology Center there is a trail with many trees...then follow a small path to the left, where butterflies and other pollinators fly free!
  • Harbert-Payne Park: Along the nature trail you will find a place to sit and enjoy the peace...looking towards the North Shore Channel and below the cottonwood leaves!
  • Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary: Don't go in the bird sanctuary but from the bump-outs you can see...look for a wood post where the stamping box will be!
  • Lighthouse Beach Dunes: Search overlooking the dunes and beach, not down below...near the two small "houses" where fog horns did blow!
Note: All of the hidden stamp boxes are hidden along nature trails or in mowed park space. None of the stamp boxes are hidden off trail in the woods or dunes. Please be mindful to walk carefully above the dunes, to not step on any plants, and to not enter the Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary fence (the fenced-in area of the bird sanctuary is off limits for visitors except for stewards on volunteer days).


Call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 for more information on opportunities to explore nature in Evanston this summer.

 

pluebrint

 		 Thank you to The Blueprint Shops for sponsoring the Evanston Nature Passport program!