Current Headlines

A New Lenox woman's photo of a crayfish with its claws held high at Hickory Creek Preserve was chosen as June's Preserve the Moment photo contest winner. The contest will continue with monthly winners through December. Overall winners will be chosen in January, and the first place photo will receive a $500 Visa gift card. 

A Morris animal hospital has offered valuable assistance with Forest Preserve District research into the ornate box turtle population by providing X-rays of female turtles. 

The series of educational stories and social media posts will focus on the costs of litter and the damage it does to flora and fauna.

Know which numbers to call and other safety practices before you visit a preserve or trail.

We've said farewell to a few Blanding's turtles and welcomed two others as part of the Forest Preserve District's role in the Blanding's Turtle Recovery Program.

Darek Konopka of Romeoville snapped the winning weasel shot at Rock Run Preserve. Seven more monthly winners will be chosen before the contest concludes on December 31. 

Lisbet "Beth" Temple of Flossmoor is donating 160 acres in Washington Township near Beecher to the Forest Preserve. The land was purchased by her husband, Dr. Arvid Temple, in 1965, and it was a place where the couple grew vegetables, raised animals and enjoyed nature and being together. 

A team of Boykin spaniels came to a Will County forest preserve earlier this month to sniff out and retrieve ornate box turtles, which are threatened in Illinois. The data collected by the canine foray will help the District manage the land to boost the turtle species' numbers. 

The Forest Preserve's new online feature will help you find information on 16 creatures that you might encounter around your home, in your neighborhood or at a local preserve. The section features the benefits of each and also how to handle potential problems. 

Following the Forest Preserve District's rules and paying attention to advice from dog experts will help you have an enjoyable and safer experience. Know your dog, stay with your dog and pick up after your dog for the safety and benefit of all involved. 

The contest is open to amateur photographers over the age of 18 and photos must be taken in a Forest Preserve District of Will County site.

Coyote pupping season is underway, so it's important to take steps to prevent potential conflicts.

The Forest Preserve District's General Use Ordinance No. 124 prohibits the destruction of natural resources and vandalisms in the preserves. The rules are in place to protect Will County's last undisturbed natural areas and to create new habitats for native species and places of respite for visitors.

Whether you want to know if the winds are calm enough to kayak, temperatures are hot enough to hike or the barometric pressure is conducive to reeling in fish, the new Monee Reservoir weather station and its live data should help you plan a fun and safe outing. 

Ruth Meyer, 2020 Volunteer of the Year, and Joel Craig and Barb Ferry, 2019 Volunteers of the Year, received their awards at the April 8 Board of Commissioners meeting.