Sounds of Insects Night Hike
August 9, 2026 | 7:30 P.M TO 9:30 P.M
Venture out on the trail at Thorn Creek Woods at dusk listening for the chorus of nocturnal insects.
Headlines
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Be a Trailblazer turns outdoor fun into a family affair
July 14, 2025 | RecreationLiz Lyons of New Lenox has turned the Forest Preserve District’s Be a Trailblazer challenge into a fun-filled family tradition.
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Be a Trailblazer: Hike Monee Reservoir
July 14, 2025 | RecreationMonee Reservoir is among the most popular Will County preserves — a great place to spend some time fishing or out on the water in a boat. As popular as it may be, it’s probably a little underrated when it comes to hiking.
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Wild Science: Rare mussel search in Will County aids DuPage restocking effort
July 10, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeForest preserve staff from Will and DuPage counties recently searched a Will County creek for rare mussels to support a native species restoration project.
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Hybrid turtle 'Theodorable' serves as warning: Don’t dump pets in preserves
July 7, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeA hybrid box turtle was removed from a Will County preserve to protect a threatened species. It now lives at Isle a la Cache Museum, serving as an animal ambassador.
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Mosquitoes driving you indoors? Attract dragonflies to your yard
June 30, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeDragonflies can eat dozens of mosquitoes a day, so attracting them to your yard might help make your time outside more enjoyable.
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Wild Relatives: The capybara
June 25, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeWhat wallows like a pig, swims like a hippo and looks like a giant guinea pig? A capybara, the largest rodent in the world.
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Be a Trailblazer: Hike Braidwood Dunes and Kankakee Sands
June 24, 2025 | RecreationThe preserves in the southern portion of Will County offer a welcome shift in surroundings thanks to the sandy soil found in the area.
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Forest Preserve completes first major land purchase under new capital plan
June 23, 2025 | Conservation and restorationThe Forest Preserve District has acquired 241 acres in Custer Township as the first major purchase of its 2025–2030 Capital Improvement Program. The land expands protected open space and offers future potential for recreation and restoration.
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Quiz: Can you ace this bison test?
June 16, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeTest your knowledge on our national mammal — and our most mammoth mammal too boot.
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Foundation backs Forest Preserve with $59K donation
June 13, 2025 | Board of commissionersThe Nature Foundation of Will County presented a $59,525 check to the Forest Preserve District to support conservation, education and community programs. The donation helps fund projects like bird feeding stations, fishing derbies and teacher appreciation events.
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Nature curiosity: Why do opossums play dead?
June 13, 2025 | Nature and wildlifePlaying dead might not seem like an effective strategy for avoiding capture by predators, but for some animals it's just the thing.
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Be a Trailblazer is changing lives, one trail at a time
June 12, 2025 | RecreationThe summer session of the Be a Trailblazer challenge is underway. Join today to discover, explore and engage with nature. The challenge runs through Aug. 9 and features thousands of dollars in randomly awarded prizes for participation.
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Quiz: What's your Blanding's turtle IQ?
June 9, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeBrush up on Blanding's turtles then dive into our 10-question quiz to see how much you know.
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Plant these plants to help keep mosquitoes away in your yard
June 9, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeMosquitoes bugging you in your yard? These plants may help keep them away.
-
Be a Trailblazer: Hike Lake Chaminwood
June 6, 2025 | RecreationThe most recent upgrades at the preserve allow visitors to see even more of the preserve and explore it in new ways.
-
Quiz: Test your knowledge on green herons
June 4, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeSee how much you know about these unique birds on our 10-question quiz. Don't worry; you can study up beforehand.
-
Be a Trailblazer turns outdoor fun into a family affair
July 14, 2025 | RecreationLiz Lyons of New Lenox has turned the Forest Preserve District’s Be a Trailblazer challenge into a fun-filled family tradition.
-
Be a Trailblazer: Hike Monee Reservoir
July 14, 2025 | RecreationMonee Reservoir is among the most popular Will County preserves — a great place to spend some time fishing or out on the water in a boat. As popular as it may be, it’s probably a little underrated when it comes to hiking.
-
Wild Science: Rare mussel search in Will County aids DuPage restocking effort
July 10, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeForest preserve staff from Will and DuPage counties recently searched a Will County creek for rare mussels to support a native species restoration project.
-
Hybrid turtle 'Theodorable' serves as warning: Don’t dump pets in preserves
July 7, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeA hybrid box turtle was removed from a Will County preserve to protect a threatened species. It now lives at Isle a la Cache Museum, serving as an animal ambassador.
-
Mosquitoes driving you indoors? Attract dragonflies to your yard
June 30, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeDragonflies can eat dozens of mosquitoes a day, so attracting them to your yard might help make your time outside more enjoyable.
-
Wild Relatives: The capybara
June 25, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeWhat wallows like a pig, swims like a hippo and looks like a giant guinea pig? A capybara, the largest rodent in the world.
-
Be a Trailblazer: Hike Braidwood Dunes and Kankakee Sands
June 24, 2025 | RecreationThe preserves in the southern portion of Will County offer a welcome shift in surroundings thanks to the sandy soil found in the area.
-
Forest Preserve completes first major land purchase under new capital plan
June 23, 2025 | Conservation and restorationThe Forest Preserve District has acquired 241 acres in Custer Township as the first major purchase of its 2025–2030 Capital Improvement Program. The land expands protected open space and offers future potential for recreation and restoration.
-
Quiz: Can you ace this bison test?
June 16, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeTest your knowledge on our national mammal — and our most mammoth mammal too boot.
-
Foundation backs Forest Preserve with $59K donation
June 13, 2025 | Board of commissionersThe Nature Foundation of Will County presented a $59,525 check to the Forest Preserve District to support conservation, education and community programs. The donation helps fund projects like bird feeding stations, fishing derbies and teacher appreciation events.
-
Nature curiosity: Why do opossums play dead?
June 13, 2025 | Nature and wildlifePlaying dead might not seem like an effective strategy for avoiding capture by predators, but for some animals it's just the thing.
-
Be a Trailblazer is changing lives, one trail at a time
June 12, 2025 | RecreationThe summer session of the Be a Trailblazer challenge is underway. Join today to discover, explore and engage with nature. The challenge runs through Aug. 9 and features thousands of dollars in randomly awarded prizes for participation.
-
Quiz: What's your Blanding's turtle IQ?
June 9, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeBrush up on Blanding's turtles then dive into our 10-question quiz to see how much you know.
-
Plant these plants to help keep mosquitoes away in your yard
June 9, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeMosquitoes bugging you in your yard? These plants may help keep them away.
-
Be a Trailblazer: Hike Lake Chaminwood
June 6, 2025 | RecreationThe most recent upgrades at the preserve allow visitors to see even more of the preserve and explore it in new ways.
-
Quiz: Test your knowledge on green herons
June 4, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeSee how much you know about these unique birds on our 10-question quiz. Don't worry; you can study up beforehand.
The Buzz
The monarchs you see at this time of year are special. Here's why
7/31/2026
The monarchs you see at this time of the year are special, part of a 'super generation' different than the three generations that preceded it.
Hummingbirds are already migrating, but it's not time to take down feeders yet
7/30/2026
Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate in waves, and some have already departed. But we'll see the birds in Will County for weeks or even months, so keep filling your feeders.
Bees and wasps invading hummingbird feeders? Here's why — and how to fix it
7/23/2026
If you are seeing more bees than birds at your hummingbird feeders lately, you're not alone. Learn why we see them more at this time of year and how you might keep them away from your hummingbird feeders.