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• A Woods Walk sign in the forest.

  'Pick a path and head out' for our annual Woods Walk challenge

  8/26/2023

  The popular, self-paced Woods Walk challenge runs through Nov. 30. Hike seven of 10 trails to earn a commemorative medallion. New this year is the opportunity to log your walks via the free Goosechase app.

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• Three people stand in front of an old ammunition bunker.

  Two-part 'Buzz' episode features Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie’s history, restoration and bison

  8/25/2023

  Tune in to 'The Buzz' on Aug. 30 to see the first installment of a two part-episode on Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Find out more about the 20,283-acre U.S. Forest Service site's history, prairie restoration and bison.

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• Maple leaves showing off their fall color in shades of orange and red.

  Foundation's online tree and shrub sale runs through Sept. 24

  8/25/2023

  The Nature Foundation of Will County's annual Autumn Native Tree & Shrub Sale will feature many keystone species that benefit wildlife, including pollinators. 

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• A woman drinks water.

  Avoid dehydration and heat illnesses with these tips

  8/23/2023

  When it's hot, make sure to drink plenty of fluids before and during outdoor activity or postpone activities and stay inside. 

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• A man and woman pose for a photo.

  Take It Outside participants share stories of getting fit, building confidence, making friends

  8/22/2023

  A Meet and Greet program held at Hickory Creek Preserve on Sunday drew more than 100 participants in the Forest Preserve's yearlong Take It Outside Challenge. They compared notes on missions and talked about the challenge's many physical and social benefits. 

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• A man and woman measure a large tree in a forest.

  Messenger Woods trees named Big Tree Champions

  8/9/2023

  A jack pine and a black maple in Messenger Woods Nature Preserve made the list of Illinois Big Tree Champions this year. The trees were nominated by David Shepard, an environmental science teacher and tree aficionado and a fan of Messenger Woods.

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• A collage of participants in the Take It Outside challenge

  Ready, set, go: Map out plan to rocket up Take It Outside challenge leaderboard

  8/7/2023

  Just heard about the Take It Outside challenge and want to make a run at the leaderboard? Map out a plan of attack and then take it outside to start completing missions. 

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• Firefighters work to free a great blue heron that was tangled in fishing line.

  Bolingbrook firefighters free heron tangled in fishing line at Whalon Lake

  8/2/2023

  Bolingbrook firefighters cut improperly discarded fishing line away from a great blue heron on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Whalon Lake. At the request of two Forest Preserve volunteers they freed the bird and prevented it from being injured or killed.  

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• Man stands in the middle of a fly fishing exhibit

  Curious about the Fly Fishing Tackle exhibit headed to Monee Reservoir? Jim Schottenham has answers

  7/31/2023

  Take a deeper dive into the fly-fishing exhibition on display at Monee Reservoir. Jim Schottenham, curator of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, answers questions about the exhibition and fly fishing in general. The exhibition is open now through Oct. 31.

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• A collection of lures.

  Monee Reservoir reels in unique fly-fishing exhibition with ties to Chicago history

  7/24/2023

  Learn the history of fly fishing in the Chicago area during the 'World's Finest: Fly-Fishing Tackle' exhibition at Monee Reservoir. Rods, reels, flies, photos and books from the 1800s will be on display through Oct. 31. Complementary fly-fishing programs will be offered. 

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