Classes for Adults

Seasonal & Special Interest classes

The Ecology Center offers a diverse range of adult classes, including: wellness-based classes (Fireside Yoga & Wellness Walks), craft-based classes, and gardening programs. Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org.

Speaker Series
The Speaker Series offers sessions on environmental topics that are relevant to Evanston and surrounding communities. Past topics have included local water management, energy  conservation  and designing nature play spaces.  Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org. 

Stewardship Series
Take classes from experts who specialize in environmental stewardship! Past topics have focused on nurturing healthy habitats at home, learning about the benefits of trees, and restoration work in the Ladd Arboretum.  Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org.

Classes for Children

After School Programs (ages 5-10)
Our after-school activities to engage children in learning about the environment around them.  Be on the lookout for classes like  After School Animals,  After School Naturalist,  After School STEM,  Girls in Science and  Outdoor Explorers. Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org.

Day Off School Camps and School Break Camps (ages 6-11)
Looking for an engaging  and fun nature-based activities for children on their days off from school?  The Ecology Center provides winter and spring break camps as well as  individual day off camps for special holidays.  Camps include daily animal visits, crafts and outdoor exploration, as well as field trips for winter and spring break camps.  Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org. 

Garden Club (ages 6-11)
This afterschool club is held in the Ecology Center Farmette, where participants will learn to work the soil, harvest produce from the garden, and explore its ecological abundance. Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org. 

Classes for Parent & Child Together

Nature Play Date (ages 1-4)
Schedule a playdate with nature! You and your child will explore the wonders of the Ladd Arboretum through games, crafts, stories and outdoor play. This free-style play date allows your child to discover which activities they like best and go at their own pace. Come late or leave early if you please. Each week explores a different theme. Caregiver required.  Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org. 

Saplings and Oaks (ages 2-4)
Children and caregivers transform into saplings and oaks in this early learning nature class, though tactile experiences, imaginative play and science discovery.  Classes are primarily outdoors, weather permitting. And adult must accompany each child. Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org. 

Fireside Stories (ages 2-4)
Cozy up by the fire with nature books, puppet friends, and hot cocoa. Each time we’ll read a
different story from the Blueberry Awards List, a new list from the Evanston Public Library that honors the best in children’s environmental literature. We’ll bundle up for a nature walk and end the hour with hot cocoa. This early childhood program is sure to warm you up. Caregiver is required. Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org. 

Ecology Family Programs

Canoeing
Learn the basic canoeing strokes and about canoe safety before heading out on a fun trip on the North Shore Channel. There is a maximum of two adults and two children in one canoe. Maximum of two adults and two children in one canoe. Please email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org or call 847.448.8256 to learn more.

Snowshoe Rentals
Come try out snowshoeing by renting a pair and exploring the Ladd Arboretum, or take them to a different location to explore the great outdoors!  Snowshoe rentals are available Monday through Friday, 9am to 2:30pm, December - February as long as there are at least 3 inches of snow. Please email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org or call 847.448.8256 to learn more.

Night Hikes
Test your nocturnal senses on a guided night hike through the Arboretum. Themed night hike activities, a campfire and s’mores make for a perfect evening.  Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org. 

Family Campfires
Several times a season we offer fun-filled campfires with nature themes. The evening will include stories, songs and the ever-popular s’mores. Visit our Parks and Recreation Program Guide for current offerings or email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org. 

Seasonal  Family Programs
We offer various family programs change with the season, be on the look out for the following types of offerings in our Parks and Recreation Program Guide