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Brushwood Center
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners
    • Our Staff
    • In the News
    • Blog
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Visit Us
    • Contact Us
  • EVENTS
  • ART
    • Gallery >
      • Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
      • Past Exhibitions
    • BASE - Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
    • Classes >
      • Botanical Art Academy
      • Create and Sip Classes
    • Calls for Art
  • MUSIC
  • WELLNESS
    • 2023 Nature Explorer Backpack Project
    • Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator
    • At Ease: Nature and Art for Veterans & the Military Community
    • It's A W.I.N. - Programming for Community
    • Senior Wellness
  • RENTALS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Become a Partner
    • Volunteer & Job Opportunities
    • Our Sponsors
    • Shopping Cart

NATURE PLATOON
CHALLENGE

  • Public Programs
  • >
  • At Ease - Nature and Art for Veterans and the Military Community
  • >
  • Current At Ease Programs
  • >
  • Nature Platoon Challenge | Ongoing Wednesdays

JOIN THE NATURE PLATOON

Upcoming Dates:

Get outdoors and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow veterans. We meet every Wednesday for a nature based outing. Contact Jessica Klinge jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org for more information. ​

March 29, 2023 | 11am - 1pm | Independence Grove
Learn More and Register Here
April 12, 2023 | 12pm - 2pm | Chain O Lakes State Park
Learn More and Register Here

Explore Chicagoland's nature hotspots through the joy of photography! Brushwood Center has joined forces with natural area partners across the region to offer a free series of birding and photography programs for veterans, current service members, and their families.

Participants will receive a complimentary gift bag with supplies and information about the Challenge sites from our partners at Lake County Forest Preserves, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Chicago Park District, Indiana Dunes National Park, Illinois Beach State Park, Lake County Audubon Society, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Professional cameras are also available for loan, and participant photography will be featured in a 2023 Veterans Day Exhibition at Brushwood. 

THE CHALLENGE:
  1. Attend or watch the virtual photography & birding workshops 
  2. Visit nature hotspots across Chicagoland! Enjoy self-guided walks and/or small group tours to capture birds and nature through your camera lens.  After you register, we will provide you with self-guided tour information and let you know when group tours are scheduled. Group tours are dependent upon partner COVID-19 policies. 
  3. Submit your photos for inclusion in the Veteran’s Day Nature Platoon Photography Exhibition. Photos must be submitted by September 20.
  4. Enjoy the Veterans Day Nature Platoon Exhibition in November 2023!
Register Here

Virtual Workshop Schedule

Our virtual photography and birding classes have passed. If you would like a recording of the following classes, contact Jessica Klinge, jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org

Intro to Photography
Intermediate Photography
Common Midwest birds
Birding with smartphones

In-person group tours with Natural Area Partners 

​Follow us on Facebook to learn about more upcoming in-person group tours as the summer continues.  If you don't want to join an in-person group tour, you can explore on your own.  Contact Jessica Klinge, jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org to get materials to go on your self-guided tour.

All group tours and self-guided walks will take place from May to September.
  • ​Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie www.fs.usda.gov/midewin  
  • Forest Preserves of Cook County www.fpdcc.com
  • Lake County Forest Preserves www.lcfpd.org
  • Indiana Dunes National Park www.nps.gov/indu/index.html
  • Lake County Audubon Society www.lakecountyaudubon.org
  • Illinois Beach State Park stateparks.com/illinois_beach_state_park_in_illinois.html
  • Chicago Park District www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/
​

Special Thanks to our Supporters
​

Picture
Picture
Veterans Cash Grant
Picture

​Oberweiler Foundation
Picture
21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
​Riverwoods, IL 60015

224.633.2424 info@brushwoodcenter.org
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is committed to enabling the participation and enjoyment of our programming and events for all visitors. At Brushwood Center, you will have open access to accessible parking and entrance to the house, a gender neutral bathroom, and changing tables.

If you require certain accommodations in order to observe or attend our events, or have questions regarding accessibility of our facilities, please contact our Manager of Public Programs and Communications, Parker Nelson, at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org or at (224) 633-2424 ext. 1.

Programming and events at Brushwood Center is available to everyone, including but not limited to age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation.​
​
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​OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10am - 3pm
Sundays: 1pm - 3pm
and by appointment 
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners
    • Our Staff
    • In the News
    • Blog
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Visit Us
    • Contact Us
  • EVENTS
  • ART
    • Gallery >
      • Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
      • Past Exhibitions
    • BASE - Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
    • Classes >
      • Botanical Art Academy
      • Create and Sip Classes
    • Calls for Art
  • MUSIC
  • WELLNESS
    • 2023 Nature Explorer Backpack Project
    • Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator
    • At Ease: Nature and Art for Veterans & the Military Community
    • It's A W.I.N. - Programming for Community
    • Senior Wellness
  • RENTALS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Become a Partner
    • Volunteer & Job Opportunities
    • Our Sponsors
    • Shopping Cart