• The Ecology Center offers a variety of in-school programs and field trip programs to foster a greater appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment and our interdependence with it. 

• Programs cover a wide variety of nature related themes, including the always popular Critter Visits. Ecology Center staff will work with you to meet your classroom's needs.

• Programs are held at one of the following locations, as indicated in the descriptions below: 

• The Ecology Center in the Ladd Arboretum, 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston
• Lovelace Pond, 2716 Gross Point Rd., Evanston
• Lighthouse Landing , 2611 Sheridan Rd., Evanston

• In addition to field trips, we also have  Educator Loan Bins  available for free for two week periods and cover a variety of Illinois natural history information.

For questions about our programing, email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org or call 847.448.8256.

Critter Visit (All Grades)

Students can experience some of the Ecology Cen­ter's animals up close and personal! We will learn about the different animal groups as we meet live animals and learn what makes them unique.

45 - 60 minutes

Fall, Winter, Spring

Ladd Arboretum or Your school

Look, Listen & Feel (Preschool)

Children will explore the Arboretum in the most interactive way possible; by using their senses of sight, hearing, touch and smell! Children will discover the Arboretum and their senses while they listen for birds, feel the soft moss, smell the flowers and more!

45 minutes

Fall, Winter, Spring

Ladd Arboretum

Home Sweet Home (Kindergarten)

Children will go on a hunt to search for animals that make Evanston home. We will learn the four things that all animals need In order to survive and why its important to protect their habitat.

45 - 60 minutes

Fall, Spring

Lighthouse Landing , Ladd Arboretum

Animal Tracking (K-1st Grades)

Children will discover the art and science behind animal tracking.  We will learn some of the ways animals leave clues behind and test our new knowledge on a tracking adventure!

45 - 60 minutes

Fall, Winter, Spring 

Ladd Arboretum

Arboretum Adventures (K-1st Grades)

The Arboretums a perfect place to observe trees and leaves through the changing seasons.  We will take a closer look at leaves as we discover sizes, shapes, colors and the purpose of leaves. Children l will leave with a a leaf rubbing!

45-60 minutes

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum

Fabulous Flora (1st Grade)

Students will learn how plants are similar and how they are different. We will complete challenges

at different stations to learn about the different parts of plants and what every plant needs in order to survive.

60 minutes

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum, Lighthouse Landing

Incredible Insects (1st-2nd Grades) 

Students will discover the world of insects as we take a look at what actually makes an insect an insect. We will explore eyes, mouth parts and lifecycles as well as observe real live insects!

45 - 60 minutes

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum, Lighthouse Landing

The Wonders of Under (2nd-3rd Grades)

Discover what amazing things are below our feet as we dive into soil. Microscopic life, tunneling insects and much more will be investigated through hands on activities as we discover how vital soil is to life on earth!

60 - 75 minutes 

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum

Sand and Silt Rock (2nd-4th Grades)

Students will explore the rocks, pebbles and soil at Lighthouse Landing and sand dune. We will collect, compare and sort these materialism order to discover their unique differences and their origins.

60 minutes

Fall, Spring

Lighthouse Landing

Mighty Machines of Green (3rd-4th grades)

Students will investigate the world of seed plants from how seeds start to what happens when plants don't get everything they need. We will observe and explore the functions of leaves, stems, roots and flowers. Students will learn how to propagate plants and take a baby plant home at the end of the day.

60 - 75 minutes

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum, Lighthouse Landing

Links in a Food Chain (3rd-4th grades)

Students will learn how energy from the sun flows through the food web. We will explore the inter­ relationships that exist in these food chains and find out what happens when the balance is upset.

60 - 75 minutes

Fall, Winter, Spring

Ladd Arboretum, Lighthouse Landing

Pond Dip (3rd-6th Grades)

Come take a dip in the pond! Students will visit Lovelace Pond, where they will collet and identify the small creatures that call a pond home. They will examine the role of these animals in the pond food web and discover the structural adaptations needed for life in a pond

60-75 minutes

Fall, Spring

Lovelace Park

Urban Forestry (4th-5th Grades)

Students will learn how to identify trees as they compare bark, leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit. We will learn how to use a dichotomous key and practice with the Arboretum's amazing trees. We will also take a look at environmental and urban impacts on the health of our trees.

90 minutes

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum

Orienteering(4th-5th Grades)

Are you lost? Grab a compass' Students will learn the great outdoor skill of orienteering. We will learn how to use a compass and read a course and then practice with a set compass course!

90 minutes

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum, Your School

Tall Grass Prairie (5th-6th grades)

Learn about the native tall grass prairie ecosystem through hand-on experiences. Students will visit our prairie patch and discover the unique plants and animals that live in the prairie and how they still make an impact today.

90 minutes

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum

Our Great Lake (5th-6th Grades)

Discover the fascinating natural and cultural history of Lake Michigan during this exploration of the dunes and lakefront. Students will become familiar with aquatic plants and animals and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

90 minutes

Fall, Spring

Lighthouse Landing

Carbon Footprint (6th-7th Grades)

We will de-mystify carbon footprints, and green house gases. Students will learn what a carbon footprint is, why it is important to reduce it and ways they can reduce their own carbon footprint

60 minutes

Fall, winter, Spring

Ladd Arboretum or Your School

Canoe the Canal (6th-7th Grades)

Students will learn about the North Shore Channel's past and present. We will learn about the past uses the canal and then head out on a canoe trop to discover the wonders of the North Shore Channel and why it is important to protect it.  This program works great as a a follow-up form the Carbon Footprint program.

2 hour trip

Fall, Spring

Ladd Arboretum

 For questions about our Scout programing, email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org or call 847.448.8256