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A snapping turtle that was hit by a car.
Frankfort snapping turtle crushed by vehicle; motorists urged to slow down
5/19/2023Read moreA snapping turtle was run over by a vehicle recently and left for dead near a Frankfort subdivision. Motorists are being encouraged to slow down and watch for turtles in the road to avoid hitting them, especially during nesting season.
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Two women and their sons pose for a photo at a pond overlook.
Mothers join Take It Outside Challenge on their quest to keep their sons moving and learning
5/13/2023Read moreTwo Will County moms are having fun completing nature-themed missions as part of the Forest Preserve District's Take It Outside Challenge. But they've also joined the challenge as a way to provide activities for their adult disabled sons who have aged out of the school system.
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A diver in a wet suit cleans a 2,000-gallon aquarium.
Diving into her work: aquarium technician keeps Four Rivers' tank in tiptop shape
4/25/2023Read moreOnce a month, Sommer Brosio lowers herself into the 2,000-gallon aquarium at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center to vacuum up waste and scrub the interior. The tank, which features 45 river fish, is a popular new attraction at the visitor center.
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From left: Forest Preserve Board President Meta Mueller, volunteer Kim Shehorn, and Forest Preserve Executive Director Ralph Schultz.
Enthusiastic, encouraging, efficient: Kim Shehorn named Volunteer of the Year
4/18/2023Read moreKim Shehorn of Frankfort was named the 2022 Volunteer of the Year during the Forest Preserve's annual volunteer banquet on April 12. The banquet celebrated 39 years of the District's formal volunteer program.
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An aerial view of the I&M Canal shows the canal as well as surrounding area.
From ‘cultural relic to recreational resource,’ I&M Canal anniversary marks 175 years
4/13/2023Read moreThe Forest Preserve District is celebrating the 175th anniversary of the I&M Canal, which runs through or adjacent to several preserves and provides a path for cultural preservation and recreational opportunities.
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Participants take selfies as part of the Take It Outside Challenge.
Take It Outside Challenge pushing people to 'get out and do something'
3/28/2023Read moreRob Gowens and Samantha Eberhardt are among more than 1,000 people who are participating in the yearlong Take It Outside Challenge. Gowens was looking for something to do in retirement, and Eberhardt is having a blast completing missions with her husband and four children.
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A woman sorts through fishing line that has been collected for recycling.
Fishing line recycling program protects wildlife from injuries and death
3/21/2023Read moreFishing line collected in the Forest Preserve's monofilament recycling program in 2022 is on its way to a recycling company to be turned into new products. Removing the line from nature protects wildlife from being harmed or killed after becoming entangled.
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The quiet space at Four Rivers.
Quiet space at Four Rivers comforts those with sensory processing needs
3/7/2023Read moreFour Rivers Environmental Education Center has created a quiet space for those with sensory processing needs. The goal is to remove all barriers for visitors and to make everyone feel welcome at the visitor center.
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The Bartling family (left) and Black family are enjoying exploring the preserves as part of the Take It Outside Challenge.
Families tackling Take It Outside Challenge to bond … and win!
3/1/2023Read moreParents and their children have jumped on the yearlong Take It Outside Challenge bandwagon. They're competing together and bonding over shared experiences in nature.
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Valuables left in plain sight inside a parked vehicle
Keep safety in mind as you visit the preserves
2/14/2023Read moreThe Forest Preserve District is reminding visitors to keep safety in mind as they venture out into the preserves to enjoy the milder weather we've been experiencing. Keep valuables locked away, or leave them at home. And travel on trails with a partner whenever possible.
Events
Volunteer Morning: Kankakee Sands Preserve
Get some fresh air and exercise while helping to make a difference in your community by attending one or more of the Forest Preserve’s volunteer mornings.
Birding in the Preserves (Zoom webinar)
Go along on a virtual hike to familiarize familiar yourself some of the birds found in the preserves.
The Buzz
Step carefully: Cooler weather sends stink bugs indoors
With summerlike temperatures on the way out, it's the time of year when stink bugs start making their way into our homes. Resist the urge to stomp on or squish them or you'll quickly learn how these insects got their name.
Not guilty: Stop blaming wolf spiders for invading your home
Wolf spiders tend to get a bad rap in autumn for invading your house as the weather cools, but they are mostly being falsely accused.
Ring of fire: Will County will experience partial effects of annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14
You don't have to wait until dark to catch the biggest sky event in October because the month's biggest event will be in the middle of the day, when the annular solar eclipse occurs on Oct. 14.