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Man holding flies in a jar
Forest Preserve serves as forensic entomology classroom for law enforcement
9/30/2019Read moreThe two-day forensic entomology workshop provided area law enforcement with instructions on using insects in death investigations.
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Woman on a trail with her camera
Debi Shapiro’s ‘Happy Place’ – making memories with her mom at Rock Run Rookery Preserve
9/24/2019Read moreRock Run Rookery Preserve was one of Shapiro's favorite places to take her ill mother so she could get out of the house and enjoy nature.
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Woman holding a monarch butterfly
For Barb Ferry, raising monarchs is more than a hobby
8/9/2019Read moreBarb Ferry has been raising monarch butterflies at home and releasing them into the wild, with the ultimate goals of helping sustain their population and educating the public of their importance.
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Cyclist on a the Old Plank Road Trail
Greg Duffner’s Happy Place: Commuting on the Old Plank Road Trail is ‘good for the soul'
4/10/2019Read moreIn the past four years alone, Greg Duffner has racked up more than 19,000 miles on his bike commuting to work and riding in charity events around the country.
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Dogs at a dog park
Beyond the rules: A guide to dog park etiquette
3/25/2019Read moreThere's more to a successful dog park outing than following a few basic rules. Experts warn people to train their dogs, assess their dog's personality and pay close attention to their dogs as they roam free in off-leash play areas.
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Woman on a trail
Barb Parisi’s Happy Place: The healing powers of McKinley Woods
2/22/2019Read moreFor Barb Parisi, hiking and photographing birds at McKinley Woods helped heal the scar left by the suicide of her father, a Vietnam veteran who suffered mental and physical health issues for many years.
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Mother and son on a trail
Weber family's 'Happy Place': Hiking at Hammel Woods
12/28/2018Read moreAfter a health scare two years ago, the Webers cherish their nature outings now more than ever before.
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Aerial view of Braidwood Dunes
Army Corps, state contribute $591,000 for restoration efforts
11/27/2018Read moreThe infusion of funds will accelerate efforts to return forest preserve acreage to its natural state.
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Woodchuck mascot in the forest
Woodchuck mascot branches out with new website
11/16/2018Read moreKids of all ages can discover more about nature and the world around them by visiting willyswilderness.org.
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Dog walking on a trail
A primer for bringing your pooch to a preserve
5/18/2018Read moreFollow these rules to protect your dog and the preserves.
Events
S’more Summer
There's plenty of summer left, so join us to learn about all the fun that can be had.
Lake Renwick Migratory Bird Viewing
See the dazzling spectacle of nesting herons, egrets and cormorants at our weekly bird viewings at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve.
The Buzz
What's the difference?: Honeybee vs. yellow jacket
The buzz of an insect in your ear can come from many different sources, from mosquitoes and flies to bees and wasps. When it's a bee or wasp buzzing by, two common culprits — honeybees and yellow jackets — can be cause for confusion.
Quiz: How much bee brainpower do you have?
Take this quiz to test your knowledge on these very important pollinators.
Quiz: Test your hummingbird braininess
While these bright and beautiful birds can be seen in our area, learn more about these miniature but mighty marvels.