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If you've seen prescribed burns or heard about them and wonder why the Forest Preserve uses fire on its land, sign up for the Why We Burn program scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. Registration is required by Thursday, Jan. 30.

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20. 

The Forest Preserve District has a new challenge for the new year: Be a Trailblazer! More than $10,000 in prizes will be awarded randomly to lucky participants as they complete a wide variety of nature-themed missions in four seasonal sessions.

For the public’s safety, some preserves may remain closed immediately after a winter weather event as Forest Preserve District staff work to plow parking lots and roadways to make preserve visits possible and less hazardous.

Prairie Bluff Preserve will remain closed until further notice. 

A section of the Joliet Junction Trail is scheduled to be closed for seven to 10 days due to an Interstate 80 improvement project. The trail will be closed from McDonough Street to Moen Avenue. 

"Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin Collection" exhibit will run from Friday, Jan. 17, through Sunday, March 2, at four Forest Preserve visitor centers. The artworks depict the popular U.S. Forest Service symbol and are reproductions of original Smokey Bear paintings that were created from 1977 to 1995. 

A section of the Plum Creek Greenway Trail is closed due to bridge damage to the trail's north bridge closest to Bemes Road. This trail section will remain closed until the tree can be removed and the bridge repaired.

A year of seed collection by staff and volunteers culminated with a seed mixing day at a Forest Preserve barn in December. The seed will be sown this winter in areas targeted for restoration, leading to blooms and better species diversity next year in the preserves. 

Picnic and camping permits for 2025 go on sale Thursday, Jan. 2. Permits will be available on a first come, first served basis and can be purchased online or at a visitor center.