Current Headlines

A new picnic shelter adjacent to the 80-acre Whalon Lake in Bolingbrook can host larger celebrations and gatherings at the popular preserve. 

The 2019 marketing campaign highlighted bad behavior in the preserves and how it can ruin other people's nature outings and harm wildlife. 

It's becoming an all too common occurrence that shouldn't happen at all in the preserves or elsewhere, seeing dead birds hanging from trees after getting tangled up in fishing line.

Jon Flodstrom of Frankfort said he timed it just right to get within a foot of a widow skimmer perched near a Hickory Creek Preserve pond to snap the winning photo. 

Grab a flyer and search for the individual items that make up seven sculptures along Snapper Pond Trail in Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. 

Fishing line can be a death trap for wildlife and it's something we've seen play out over and over again in the preserves, but after some intervention Monday morning at Monee Reservoir, we're hopeful we've given one bird a chance at a full recovery.

Based on eBird data, it is the first-ever reported sighting of a black-bellied whistling duck in Will County, although there have been occasional sightings in other parts of the Chicagoland area. 

Amy Miller of Joliet knew something was wrong when she attempted to take photos at Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access in mid-May and she couldn't focus her right eye. The outing led to medical intervention and a lesson for us all. 

Changing recommendations from the CDC and state modifications to its COVID-19 response paved the way for the dog parks to reopen; however, the Forest Preserve urges dog park patrons to follow all public safety advice to protect their health and the health of others.

A dog park permit discount of 25 percent will be applied to the purchase of 2021 passes when they go on sale in November. 

The 2020 Preserve the Moment contest kicked off with more than 100 stunning photo entries taken in Will County forest preserves; seven more monthly winners will be chosen until the contest concludes December 31.

Seven sculptures created by artist Jennifer Meyer out of discarded items will be on display through March 31, 2021, along Snapper Pond Trail in Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. 

It's a scene that plays out too often in the preserves and it's important to raise awareness of how deadly trash being left behind can be to wildlife.

Isle a la Cache preserve, a site steeped in history, will be getting some modern upgrades in the coming months to improve visitor experiences. 

Preserves and trails are open, but the Forest Preserve's new informational signs encourage everyone to spread COVID-19 prevention tips – not the germs.