Current headlines

Featured news

All news

• Raccoon sleeping in a tree

  Sleeping raccoon wins May's portion of Preserve the Moment Photo Contest

  6/2/2022

  May's winning photo was taken by Joe Viola of Shorewood at Hammel Woods. Seven more monthly winners will be picked before the 2022 contest concludes in December and overall winners are picked in January. 

  Read more
• District officials accept award

  Wildlife ecologist, Black Road project win national awards

  5/20/2022

  Wildlife ecologist Becky Blankenship won a Young Professional Award and the District's Black Road Regional Trail Connection project won an Outstanding Achievement Award. 

  Read more
• Bat shelter at Hammel Woods

  Forest Preserve joins Operation Disrupt, a suicide prevention coalition

  5/6/2022

  Signs with suicide crisis line and text line numbers have been placed in Will County forest preserves where suicides have occurred or been attempted in the past as part of Operation Disrupt, a multi-agency coalition seeking to reduce the number of teen and young adult suicides. 

  Read more
• Volunteers accept awards at annual banquet

  2021 Volunteer Awards honor hours of dedication

  5/3/2022

  Mark Bettin of Mokena and Scott Mortenson of Oak Park were named 2021 Volunteers of the Year during a recent Forest Preserve awards banquet. Awards were given out in several categories, including service awards for longevity, to honor the many individuals who donate their time to the District. 

  Read more
• Pileated woodpecker feeds its offspring

  Time to get snapping! 2022 photo contest underway

  5/1/2022

  The annual Preserve the Moment Photo Contest runs through Dec. 31. Photos must be taken in a Will County preserve after the contest start date of May 1. Entrants and winners will receive prizes, and the first-place finisher will get a $500 gift card. 

  Read more
• Entrance at Lower Rock Run

  Houbolt Road project affects portion of Rock Run Greenway Trail

  4/22/2022

  The 1.5-mile Houbolt Road Extension Project and the creation of a new diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 80 is affecting the Forest Preserve's Rock Run Greenway Trail. Path users are urged to use caution and to take note of trail and road closure signs as the work progresses. 

  Read more
• Crops in a field

  Local Growers initiative sprouts from District’s farm lease program

  4/12/2022

  The Local Growers Program will consist of small plots of land available for specialty crops to be used for the community or local businesses, including restaurants and farmers markets. This new program will launch in the 2023 growing season.

  Read more
• Aerial view of Hadley Valley

  Creating connections: trail enhancements in the works for 2022 and beyond

  1/31/2022

  Improvements are coming to the Forest Preserve District's extensive trail system. Some of the work will take place this year, and other projects are part of long-range plans with multiple partners. 

  Read more
• Aerial view of Plum Valley Preserve

  Lasting legacy: Forest Preserve grows by more than 1,500 acres

  1/10/2022

  Some of the land was purchased, some donated and some was transferred from the state.

  Read more
• Image of Compass newsletter

  Renamed and refreshed: Compass newsletter will help you navigate nature

  12/22/2021

  The Forest Preserve District's newsletter, The Citizen, which debuted 40 years ago, has a new name, a refreshed look and a new mix of content that is designed to inform, entertain, inspire and educate readers. You can subscribe to The Compass with a click of a mouse to receive this weekly digital publication in your email inbox. Current subscribers to The Citizen do not need to sign up a second time to receive The Compass.

  Read more