The race is scheduled to return for the first time in five years. Participants can begin the race in either St. Charles or Batavia, and travel downstream to Aurora.

The Thomas Woods Campground at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area is open for the season.

An unpaved motorcycle training course has been proposed at the Fox River Harley-Davidson store at 131 S. Randall Road in St. Charles.

Students in Aurora University Museum Studies Program’s Exhibit Design class will unveil “Face the Fox: Environmental Activists on the Fox River,” a special exhibit honoring Phillips and other local activists, during a public open house at the Little White School Museum on Tuesday

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will offer a hike April 23 in Harvard, exploring vernal pools, temporary bodies of water that house species like frogs, fairy shrimp and toads.

A recreational fundraising event is planned April 24 at Top Golf in Naperville.

Cary Park District invites residents to be a part of filling the sky with a rainbow of color at its annual Kite Fly this Saturday, April 9.

Tom’s Farm Market in Huntley opened for the season last week. Like other McHenry County farms and agri-tourism businesses, it hopes to maintain or even expand on that success this spring.

Removing invasive species will help sustain the unique nature of the forest preserve.