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Cyclist on a the Old Plank Road Trail
Greg Duffner’s Happy Place: Commuting on the Old Plank Road Trail is ‘good for the soul'
4/10/2019Read moreIn the past four years alone, Greg Duffner has racked up more than 19,000 miles on his bike commuting to work and riding in charity events around the country.
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Dogs at a dog park
Beyond the rules: A guide to dog park etiquette
3/25/2019Read moreThere's more to a successful dog park outing than following a few basic rules. Experts warn people to train their dogs, assess their dog's personality and pay close attention to their dogs as they roam free in off-leash play areas.
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Woman on a trail
Barb Parisi’s Happy Place: The healing powers of McKinley Woods
2/22/2019Read moreFor Barb Parisi, hiking and photographing birds at McKinley Woods helped heal the scar left by the suicide of her father, a Vietnam veteran who suffered mental and physical health issues for many years.
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Mother and son on a trail
Weber family's 'Happy Place': Hiking at Hammel Woods
12/28/2018Read moreAfter a health scare two years ago, the Webers cherish their nature outings now more than ever before.
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Aerial view of Braidwood Dunes
Army Corps, state contribute $591,000 for restoration efforts
11/27/2018Read moreThe infusion of funds will accelerate efforts to return forest preserve acreage to its natural state.
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Woodchuck mascot in the forest
Woodchuck mascot branches out with new website
11/16/2018Read moreKids of all ages can discover more about nature and the world around them by visiting willyswilderness.org.
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Dog walking on a trail
A primer for bringing your pooch to a preserve
5/18/2018Read moreFollow these rules to protect your dog and the preserves.
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Dead egret hanging from a branch
Heartbreaking egret photo another reminder of dangers of improperly disposed of fishing line
4/23/2018Read moreWe have an urgent plea for everyone: Please properly dispose of fishing line.
Events
Volunteer Morning: Hadley Valley – Bruce Road Access
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.
First Time Fishing
Learn rod-and-reel fishing basics, safety and ethics plus try some shoreline fishing for yourself in this program for beginners.
The Buzz
Brooding about cicadas? Here's the reason for all the hype this year
To not have heard the buzz about this year's cicada emergence you would have to have been where the cicadas themselves are right now — underground. Why all the hype? This year is the first time since 1803 that two broods of cicadas will have emerged in Illinois at the same time.
Five must-know facts about our home planet Earth
You can define Earth in many ways, but above all else it is home. Here is your chance to learn all about our home planet.
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.