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• A man pushes his adult son in a wheelchair along a paved trail.

  For father-and-son duo, Woods Walk is an opportunity for bonding time

  11/14/2022

  Mike and Jared Volkmer have completed the Woods Walk hiking challenge for three years, using it as an opportunity for father-son bonding time and a chance to visit preserves they would otherwise never discover.

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• Red-spotted sunfish in a tank

  Something fishy is going on at Four Rivers

  11/9/2022

  A dozen state-threatened redspotted sunfish have been added to a 'gorgeous' new 2,000-gallon aquarium at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center. The fish ambassadors will educate visitors about the plight of threatened and endangered fish species in Illinois. 

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• A coyote walking through a prairie

  Coyote sightings may be more common this time of year

  11/8/2022

  As the weather turns colder and leaves fall off the trees, coyotes may be more visible in late fall as young males seek new turf and food availability declines. But there are ways you can still live in harmony with the state's largest carnivore. 

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• An eastern milksnake sunning on a paved path

  Sunning snake wins October's photo contest

  11/4/2022

  New Lenox resident Meagan Crandall took top honors in the October portion of the Preserve the Moment photo contest with her photo of an eastern milksnake basking in the warm autumn sun.

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• Two men conducting a prescribed burn

  Prescribed burn map: Here's where we're burning today

  11/3/2022

  This map is updated daily as another way to notify the public when a prescribed burn is being conducted.

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• The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Veterans Memorial Trail segment.

  'Together we achieve more' – Veterans Memorial Trail addition now open

  10/28/2022

  A new 3.5-mile paved section of Veterans Memorial Trail officially opened in Homer Township following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 28. Path users can travel from Hadley Valley preserve north to the 159th Street Bikeway and beyond. 

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• Two barred owls eat a dead mouse

  Sign up for a Forest Preserve owl prowl today

  10/25/2022

  The Forest Preserve has scheduled many opportunities for you to prowl around looking for owls in November and December. Learn about the owl species that call Will County home and then take a hike to search for these mysterious creatures. 

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• Jess McQuown (left) and 'Buzz' host Suzy Lyttle

  October 'Buzz' moseys into migration and wanders through Thorn Creek Woods

  10/21/2022

  Find out which bird species are migrating through Will County at this time of year and learn about Thorn Creek Woods' interesting history and habitat during October's episode of 'The Buzz' nature show.

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• Dog sitting in a park

  Fetch a 2023 Forest Preserve dog park permit

  10/14/2022

  2023 dog park permits go on sale Nov. 1 and are good for the remainder of 2022 and all of 2023 at the Forest Preserve District's six dog parks. Permits can be purchased in person, online and by mail. 

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• Aerial view of water at Rock Run Rookery

  Boat launches close Nov. 1 for the season

  10/11/2022

  As the Forest Preserve District prepares for winter, drinking fountains have been turned off, boat launches will close Nov. 1 and Monee Reservoir Visitor Center will close for the season. 

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