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A woman in a blue jacket stands in a forest preserve with water in the background.
Healing With Nature: Outdoor walks help Naperville woman lose 100 pounds
2/10/2024Read moreJulie Jacobsen, a 54-year-old Naperville resident, says being outside was an essential part of her weight loss journey. In the process, she says she became healthier, happier and more fulfilled than she ever has as an adult.
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Officials pose with an oversized check.
Foundation donates $39,950 to Forest Preserve programs, initiatives
2/9/2024Read moreTara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation of Will County, presented the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners with a first-quarter 2024 donation check at the Feb. 8 Board meeting. The donation will be used for a variety of Forest Preserve programs and initiatives.
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A woman wearing black stands in a prairie.
Nature Foundation kicks off 2024 with new leader, new garden tour event
2/5/2024Read moreThe Nature Foundation of Will County is starting 2024 with a new leader, a new garden tour event and a host of activities, including native plant sales, that are designed to raise money for Forest Preserve District programs and initiatives.
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Visitors at Four Rivers participate in an interpretive program.
‘This place is so cool!’: Four Rivers embraces visitors of all abilities
2/2/2024Read moreA recent visit by a group from Little Friends in Warrenville highlighted just how welcoming the Forest Preserve's Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is to all people, regardless of abilities. The site is now nationally accredited for inclusivity, which means all are welcome and all can participate.
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An exterior view of Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Hidden Oaks Nature Center will be closed for renovation for most of 2024 starting Feb. 19
1/25/2024Read moreHidden Oaks Nature Center is getting a major makeover. Extensive renovations and improvements will require the nature center to be closed for much of 2024 starting Feb. 19. The preserve will close periodically for some outdoor renovation work, as needed. The projects will not affect Hidden Lakes Trout Farm.
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A wedding couple embracing by a river.
Shopping for a wedding venue? Check out Four Rivers Environmental Education Center
1/22/2024Read moreFour Rivers Environmental Education Center features an eco-friendly venue for weddings and events. The popular site includes reception space, indoor and outdoor ceremony options, staff to assist with bookings and vendors, and beautiful scenery for photos.
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Two men hold an award.
Sand Ridge Savanna restoration effort earns Chicago Wilderness award
1/19/2024Read moreExtensive, multiyear restoration efforts at the Forest Preserve District's Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve have earned an "Excellence in Ecological Restoration" award from Chicago Wilderness. The District received the award on Jan. 17 at a “Celebration of Conservation” banquet at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
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Winter, spring, summer and fall are shown in this collage.
Join the 2024 Take It Outside Challenge, which comes with a twist
1/16/2024Read moreIt's time to get in gear, Goosechasers, because the 2024 Take It Outside Challenge has begun. This year's challenge will be offered in four seasonal competitions.
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A collage of participants in the Take It Outside challenge
Meet the Take It Outside Challenge winners who completed all 501 missions
1/9/2024Read moreThe inaugural Take It Outside Challenge concluded Dec. 31 with multiple winners and stories detailing how the challenge improved lives and introduced hundreds of people to Forest Preserve District sites and activities they never knew existed.
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Annette Parker and Meta Mueller
Parker takes over as Forest Preserve Board president
1/8/2024Read moreAnnette Parker of Crest Hill took over as president of the Forest Preserve Board in December. She will serve a one-year term. She succeeds Meta Mueller of Aurora.
Events
Little Explorers: Water Science Lab
Bring your children to Four Rivers to learn what an amazing resource water is.
Lake Renwick Photography Bird Hike
Join other photographers for a special opportunity to view and photograph the herons, egrets and cormorants at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve.
The Buzz
Want your kids to respect nature? Get your garden growing with them
Gardening with your kids can be a great way to make them good stewards of the environment.
Migration watch: Hummingbirds have landed in Will County
For those of you eagerly anticipating the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds, it won't be long now. The tiny birds have been spotted in Will County and elsewhere in Illinois.
Migration watch: Monarchs have landed in Illinois
We're charting migrations this season, announcing when a variety of species hit major milestones on their travels north.