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Man in black coat stands along trail with river in the background.
Walking the Des Plaines: One man’s quest to navigate his hometown river
1/27/2023Read moreA Forest Park man attempting to walk the length of the Des Plaines has been amazed by the size of the river in Will County. His quest has taken him from the river's origin in Wisconsin to its confluence near McKinley Woods in Channahon.
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Illustration of American settlers moving westward.
Isle a la Cache hosts Smithsonian ‘Journey Stories’ exhibition on the history of migration
1/23/2023Read more'Journey Stories,' a three-month exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service, runs through Sunday, April 30 at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. The exhibition takes a broad look at American expansion and migration.
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Image of phone featuring Goosechase app and sign in background
Go on a wild goose chase with our Take It Outside app challenge
1/22/2023Read moreAs part of the Forest Preserve District's Take It Outside campaign, the app challenge will have you traversing the county and hiking trails, while earning points with each completed mission.
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Buzz host Suzy Lyttle holds a river otter pelt and a cutout of a snowy owl
Snowy owls, river otters highlight January 'Buzz' nature show
1/20/2023Read moreTune in on Jan. 25 when the first 2023 episode of 'The Buzz,' the Forest Preserve's monthly nature show, debuts on Facebook and YouTube. The show will highlight animal survival tactics in winter, snowy owls and river otters.
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Take it Outside logo
'Take It Outside' campaign launched to spark your trek into nature
1/10/2023Read moreA yearlong campaign called 'Take It Outside' is designed to entice you to get back to nature or to discover it for the first time. Look for a special smart phone challenge coming later this month and a focus on showcasing the various preserves and recreation activities throughout the seasons.
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Screen images from digital newsletter on birds
Hey bird nerds! Sign up for our new Flock and Feather digital newsletter
1/3/2023Read moreNow is the time of year when people make resolutions and, this year, ours is to keep finding new ways to connect with the public and share our love of nature.
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Common goldeneyes
Four Rivers hosts yearlong celebration of color
12/23/2022Read moreLearn the language of color by attending a Rivers of Color program at Four Rivers this year. The series culminates in the fall with a 'Golden Opportunities' traveling exhibit from Denver Botanic Gardens.
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Snowy scenery at Sugar Creek Preserve
Winter weather may impact preserve openings
12/22/2022Read moreFor 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.
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Two men and a child get ready to fish
Forest Preserve surpasses 23,000-acre mark with 2022 acquisitions
12/19/2022Read moreFour acquisitions pushed the Forest Preserve over the 23,000-acre mark in 2022. Land acquisitions will continue in 2023 with the $3 million that is left in a land preservation program fund.
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A bald eagle flies overhead with nesting material.
Save the dates: Forest Preserve announces 2023 event, exhibition schedule
12/15/2022Read moreThe Forest Preserve's 2023 event and exhibition schedule starts off with Eagle Watch in January and continues with food trucks, hummingbird and pelican events; and exhibitions on movement in America, fly fishing tackle and the science behind the color yellow.
Events
Happy Mornings Yoga and Hike
Start the day off right with some self-care, beautiful nature and quiet reflection.
Seasons at Thorn Creek Woods: Signs of Spring
Join naturalists to explore Thorn Creek Woods in search of signs of spring.
The Buzz
Happening now: Chorus frogs are loudly seeking mates
If you venture out into the preserves these days, there's a good chance you'll hear chorus frogs making a racket as they call out looking for a mate.
Five facts about stealthy, solitary bobcats
Of the 40 wildcat species in the world, just the bobcat lives in Illinois, and even its existence here is a surprise to many people.
Check your trees for nests before trimming or pruning
The trees may still be dormant at this time of year, but they could still be full of life. If you're planning to trim or prune your trees, make sure to give them a good once over to check for active squirrel and bird nests.