Current Headlines

“The Way We Worked: A Traveling Exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution” will explore more than a century of work and how this vital component of American life has changed through the decades.

For the public’s safety, some preserves may remain closed immediately after a winter weather event as District staff work to plow the roadways to make travel less hazardous.

The Forest Preserve District is urging people to give friluftsliv, the Norwegian philosophy that embraces winter, a try. Being outdoors in winter can boost your mood, reduce stress and introduce more natural light into your life. 

Eileen Capodice's photo of a male pileated woodpecker feeding its nestling a regurgitated meal at McKinley Woods in Channahon was voted the top photo in the Forest Preserve's annual contest. 

Tune in to see the Forest Preserve's latest acquisition in Bolingbrook, and also learn why winter is the best time to start birding. The show airs at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 26, on Facebook and YouTube. It also can be seen on many local cable outlets. 

Jason and Alexis Farquhar removed 10 large bags of garbage from three Will County preserves on December 26 and 27 as part of a Boy Scouts of America badge honoring the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The Forest Preserve District is growing. The District has added more than 1,500 acres in the past two years.

Minooka resident Eileen Capodice is the final monthly winner in the 2021 Preserve the Moment Photo Contest. Her shot of a daddy woodpecker feeding its hungry nestling won December's portion of the contest. Overall contest winners will be picked starting January 6 via public voting on Facebook.

The Forest Preserve District's newsletter, The Citizen, which debuted 40 years ago, has a new name, a refreshed look and a new mix of content that is designed to inform, entertain, inspire and educate readers. You can subscribe to The Compass with a click of a mouse to receive this weekly digital publication in your email inbox. Current subscribers to The Citizen do not need to sign up a second time to receive The Compass.

Many of us gained weight during the pandemic due to stress and lockdowns, but even with more virus uncertainty looming, there are ways to stay healthy and to get back to a fitness routine. 

The Forest Preserve District has a robust list of events and exhibitions slated for the coming year. Here is a quick look at all the fun to come so you can start planning your 2022 nature outings well in advance. 

December's episode of the Forest Preserve's monthly nature show, "The Buzz," looks ahead at volunteer opportunities in 2022 and back at achievements in 2021. 

Sign up for a Forest Preserve workday to improve the local environment and to get some fresh air and exercise.

Learn about owls, listen for owls and look for owls during upcoming owl hikes being held in Channahon, Crete Township and Park Forest. 

If you go eagle watching this year, remember to keep your distance so as not to disturb these amazing creatures. If a bird is reacting to you, then you are too close.