Current headlines

Extensive, multiyear restoration efforts at the Forest Preserve District's Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve have earned an "Excellence in Ecological Restoration" award from Chicago Wilderness. The District received the award on Jan. 17 at a “Celebration of Conservation” banquet at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. 

It's time to get in gear, Goosechasers, because the 2024 Take It Outside Challenge has begun. This year's challenge will be offered in four seasonal competitions. 

Annette Parker of Crest Hill took over as president of the Forest Preserve Board in December. She will serve a one-year term. She succeeds Meta Mueller of Aurora. 

The Forest Preserve's operations committee took action recently that will pave the way for more trail projects as the District works to connect and extend the countywide trail system. 

The National Inclusion Project’s first nature center accreditation in the country has been awarded to the Forest Preserve District’s Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon. Months in the making, the accreditation shows Four Rivers is a facility where all visitors, regardless of ability-level, can participate. 

2024 dog park permits are on sale now. Permits are good for off-leash play at all six Forest Preserve District dog parks through the end of 2023 and all of 2024. They can be purchased at five visitor centers or online. 

Need a wrench or an air pump while biking? No problem. The Forest Preserve District now has six bicycle repair stations along its trails thanks to funding by The Nature Foundation of Will County and the Joliet Bicycle Club.

The new kayak and canoe launch installed as part of preserve improvements at Lake Chaminwood Preserve this summer has been completed. The launch is accessible and adaptive, meaning there are features that help paddlers with disabilities enter and exit the water independently and safely. 

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.

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.