Current Headlines

Bird migration season can yield some unlikely sightings and birders are flocking to the area around Four Rivers Environmental Education Center after a Eurasian wigeon was spotted in the area over the weekend.

The Forest Preserve's 2021 budget includes funding for numerous improvement projects throughout the District as well as for land acquisition. The overall property tax rate will decrease by 1.57 percent. 

More than 90 online field trip programs have been scheduled or have already taken place as educators seek to keep their students engaged in environmental education during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Three hotels built by 14-year-old Luke Lunde of Manhattan and his Scouting crew at Isle a la Cache preserve in Romeoville are attracting solitary bees that nest in cavities and are important pollinators. 

The tortoise, which is not native to Illinois, was found at Hammel Woods around 4 miles from its home, so police believe it was dumped there by someone who found it wandering around its neighborhood after it escaped from its owners' backyard. Dumping animals of any kind in a preserve is against the law because it is harmful to the creatures and the environment. 

Yellow-crowned night herons are a rare sight here, as they generally don't come this far north in Illinois and their breeding grounds are largely along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

The free "grab-and-go" containers can be used by anglers to properly store unwanted fishing line, which will keep the line out of the preserves where it could injure or kill wildlife. The containers will be available at three visitor centers.

Naperville resident Bertrand Leclercq is the fourth monthly winner in the contest, which continues through December 31. Overall contest winners will be chosen from among eight monthly finalists in January 2021.

While feeding critters in the preserves has always been discouraged because it is harmful to the animals, it is now an ordinance violation to do so and violators will be ticketed. 

A pair of American avocets were spotted Sunday morning at Whalon Lake, which is anything but a common sight in Will County.

The District has created a new slate of virtual learning programs as well as a new "Ask a Naturalist" option; both interactive offerings will be provided live.

Fledgling birds born at the rookery have aged enough to be able to fend for themselves, so the preserve access is now open for birdwatching and hiking.

With more and more bicyclists taking to the trails during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's imperative that everyone learn proper trail etiquette; announce your intent to pass, pass on the left and stay to the right when not passing. 

Vince Stellato is teaching his two sons to appreciate and absorb nature and to pick up litter on their frequent jaunts to Hammel Woods. 

Interpretive naturalist Suzy Lyttle took viewers on a nature exploration during the July 29 debut of "The Buzz," a new Forest Preserve show that will air monthly on Facebook, YouTube and local cable access stations.