Father’s Day Appreciation
June 21, 2026 | 8:00 A.M TO 6:00 P.M
Dads are invited to visit the Tackle Box on Father's Day for a well-deserved giveaway.
Headlines
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Get Your Kicks Challenge celebrates Route 66 centennial
May 14, 2026 | RecreationThe Forest Preserve District is marking the Route 66 Centennial Celebration with a summer-long Get Your Kicks challenge featuring missions and stops at preserves and cultural sites.
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Invasive carp trap installed at Rock Run Rookery
May 14, 2026 | Conservation and restorationA new one-way trap at Rock Run Rookery Preserve is designed to keep invasive carp from escaping the lake, helping prevent them from reaching Lake Michigan.
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Nature Foundation donation boosts Forest Preserve efforts
May 14, 2026 | Board of commissionersThe Nature Foundation of Will County's most recent donation to the Forest Preserve District totaled $55,545. The funding will be used to support Forest Preserve District programs, restoration projects
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Wild Relatives: The pyrrhuloxia
May 13, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeThe pyrrhuloxia is a bird that looks a lot like our familiar northern cardinals but the colors are all wrong.
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State-threatened mussel discovered in Forked Creek
May 12, 2026 | Conservation and restorationA Forest Preserve study of Forked Creek documented 17 mussel species, including the state-threatened purple wartyback and four species of conservation concern.
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Wander at Will: Hiking in search of goslings
May 8, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeAs part of her series exploring the preserves, Meghan heads out in search of her favorite thing about spring.
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Plains pocket gophers stay busy just beneath your feet
May 4, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeA furry critter tunneling around below our feet could be any number of animals. Plains pocket gophers are one that fits the bill, but they are often confused with moles.
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‘Magical’ bluebell photo enchants judges for April photo contest win
May 4, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeMichelle Wendling of Joliet captured April’s Preserve the Moment photo contest win with a sunrise scene of Virginia bluebells at O’Hara Woods Preserve.
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Give your mower a rest in May. Do it for the bees.
April 27, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeParticipating in No Mow May isn't just a way to cut down on your yardwork for a month. You'll be helping bees and other essential insects too.
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Meet the northern harrier, a hawk with owl-like skills
April 26, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeA raptor soaring low over a grassland could be a northern harrier — a hawk that looks and acts a little like an owl.
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Wander at Will: Back in the saddle again
April 24, 2026 | RecreationAfter years of letting her bike collect dust in the garage, Meghan is getting back in the saddle this year and hitting local trails.
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‘Heart-wrenching’ fishing line issues spark awareness campaign
April 20, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeDiscarded fishing line continues to injure and kill wildlife across local preserves, prompting a new Forest Preserve campaign.
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Wild Relatives: The paradise tree snake can fly
April 20, 2026 | Nature and wildlife, WildlifeForget "Snakes on a Plane." There are snakes in Asia that can fly without any help from an aircraft.
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Want winter wildlife in your yard? Plant these trees now
April 16, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeWhen planning your spring plantings, consider incorporating trees that will be a draw for wildlife in the winter too.
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Wander at Will: A wildflower hike at Raccoon Grove
April 13, 2026 | RecreationNaturalist-led wildflower hike at Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve a good way to learn the legends and lore of spring's ephemeral blooms.
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Be a Trailblazer becomes 'a lifesaver' for woman during health challenges
April 13, 2026 | RecreationForest Preserve's Be a Trailblazer experience provides welcome distraction during woman's cancer treatment.
-
Get Your Kicks Challenge celebrates Route 66 centennial
May 14, 2026 | RecreationThe Forest Preserve District is marking the Route 66 Centennial Celebration with a summer-long Get Your Kicks challenge featuring missions and stops at preserves and cultural sites.
-
Invasive carp trap installed at Rock Run Rookery
May 14, 2026 | Conservation and restorationA new one-way trap at Rock Run Rookery Preserve is designed to keep invasive carp from escaping the lake, helping prevent them from reaching Lake Michigan.
-
Nature Foundation donation boosts Forest Preserve efforts
May 14, 2026 | Board of commissionersThe Nature Foundation of Will County's most recent donation to the Forest Preserve District totaled $55,545. The funding will be used to support Forest Preserve District programs, restoration projects
-
Wild Relatives: The pyrrhuloxia
May 13, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeThe pyrrhuloxia is a bird that looks a lot like our familiar northern cardinals but the colors are all wrong.
-
State-threatened mussel discovered in Forked Creek
May 12, 2026 | Conservation and restorationA Forest Preserve study of Forked Creek documented 17 mussel species, including the state-threatened purple wartyback and four species of conservation concern.
-
Wander at Will: Hiking in search of goslings
May 8, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeAs part of her series exploring the preserves, Meghan heads out in search of her favorite thing about spring.
-
Plains pocket gophers stay busy just beneath your feet
May 4, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeA furry critter tunneling around below our feet could be any number of animals. Plains pocket gophers are one that fits the bill, but they are often confused with moles.
-
‘Magical’ bluebell photo enchants judges for April photo contest win
May 4, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeMichelle Wendling of Joliet captured April’s Preserve the Moment photo contest win with a sunrise scene of Virginia bluebells at O’Hara Woods Preserve.
-
Give your mower a rest in May. Do it for the bees.
April 27, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeParticipating in No Mow May isn't just a way to cut down on your yardwork for a month. You'll be helping bees and other essential insects too.
-
Meet the northern harrier, a hawk with owl-like skills
April 26, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeA raptor soaring low over a grassland could be a northern harrier — a hawk that looks and acts a little like an owl.
-
Wander at Will: Back in the saddle again
April 24, 2026 | RecreationAfter years of letting her bike collect dust in the garage, Meghan is getting back in the saddle this year and hitting local trails.
-
‘Heart-wrenching’ fishing line issues spark awareness campaign
April 20, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeDiscarded fishing line continues to injure and kill wildlife across local preserves, prompting a new Forest Preserve campaign.
-
Wild Relatives: The paradise tree snake can fly
April 20, 2026 | Nature and wildlife, WildlifeForget "Snakes on a Plane." There are snakes in Asia that can fly without any help from an aircraft.
-
Want winter wildlife in your yard? Plant these trees now
April 16, 2026 | Nature and wildlifeWhen planning your spring plantings, consider incorporating trees that will be a draw for wildlife in the winter too.
-
Wander at Will: A wildflower hike at Raccoon Grove
April 13, 2026 | RecreationNaturalist-led wildflower hike at Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve a good way to learn the legends and lore of spring's ephemeral blooms.
-
Be a Trailblazer becomes 'a lifesaver' for woman during health challenges
April 13, 2026 | RecreationForest Preserve's Be a Trailblazer experience provides welcome distraction during woman's cancer treatment.
The Buzz
It's lightning bug season, so be on the lookout for these incredible insects
6/11/2026
Catching lightning bugs is a summer rite of passage, but do you know how these bugs light up? Or why?
Give your mower a rest in May. Do it for the bees.
4/27/2026
Participating in No Mow May isn't just a way to cut down on your yardwork for a month. You'll be helping bees and other essential insects too.
Wild Relatives: The paradise tree snake can fly
4/20/2026
Forget "Snakes on a Plane." There are snakes in Asia that can fly without any help from an aircraft.