Programs & Special Events

The Nature Center offers a variety of adult/child, family or child only nature programming throughout the year including stargazing and butterfly gardening in the summer, to snow shoeing in the winter. For specific programs, download the current Park District Brochure and view the Nature Center pages.

Winterfest 2010

Saturday, February 13th • 12 noon to 4 pm

Experience the prairie in winter and forge a new snow shoe trail! Let’s paint the snow!

Why not try ice fishing and open your senses to an exciting winter event.  See what you need to get started and watch the demonstration with outdoor sports enthusiasts from Cabela's.

Snow? No Snow? Dogs are still ready to go! Adopt A Husky will be at the Bartlett Nature Center with their teams of Siberian Huskies and sleds. Come watch as they run our ½ mile trail and learn about the history of dog sledding and the equipment they use.   Come mush with us!

To ensure a safe and fun environment, please leave your own dogs at home. This demonstration and event is free and requires NO reservation or registration.

Winterfest Flyer

Earth Day 2010

Saturday, April 24 • 12 noon to 4 pm (Rain or Shine!)
Our Earth ~ Our Future

Party with the planet! Come celebrate Earth Day’s 40th birthday with The Bartlett Nature Center and Bartlett Parks Foundation at our 10th annual Earth Day event.

There will be a wide variety of educational exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on activities. Fun for the entire family tree! Some of your favorites are returning this year, DuPage Valley Settlers, Bartlett Historical Society, ABC Humane Wildlife Control, Husky Forge Blacksmith, Victory Centre of Bartlett drumming circle, Bartlett Public Works, and the Bartlett Public Library, just to name a few.

Meet Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures. Both entertaining and educational, you will have the opportunity to experience his hands-on approach with reptiles and learn about conservation of the animals.

The Bartlett Building Department will be here with Home Improvement Day – Building Green Together. Learn how to make your next home improvement project more energy efficient and friendly to the environment.

Celebrate with music and meet THE MIX 101.9 Road Crew. Make a stop at their music van and you too can spin to win a prize!

The world around us is always changing, and so is our Earth Day celebration! One thing that hasn’t changed – this event is FREE! No reservation required.

For more information on how to become a sponsor or participant call The Bartlett Nature Center @ 847-608-3100.

Fishing Derby 2009

On Saturday, August 15th nearly 300 youth registered to fish in the annual free youth fishing derby held at Beaver Pond.

Thank you to our partners (Bartlett Nature Center, Bartlett Parks Foundation, and Fox River Valley River Muskies), sponsors/donors (Cabela’s – Hoffman Estates, Patti Hanson – Re/Max Central, The Dogfather, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Plano Molding Company, Northwest Mutual), and all the volunteers who helped make this event fun and successful.

Over 300 fish were caught however, the biggest catch of the day belonged to James Dietrich with a 17 7/8” Catfish/Carp. Other winners in their age group included: Christopher Prerost, Christina Mondelli, James Dietrich, and Austin Phillips in the Catfish/Carp species; Alison Morrell, Vince Kisle, Anna Ayala, Andrew Collier, and Alex Cusumano in the Bluegill/Crappie species; and Collin Olmsted, Mary Page, Christine Harshbarger, and Brandon Yu in the Bass species. The Cavazos Family was the winner of U of I 10x10 Tent, Chairs, Picnic Table & Table Top Grill.