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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.
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Dead egret hanging from a branch
Heartbreaking egret photo another reminder of dangers of improperly disposed of fishing line
4/23/2018Read moreWe have an urgent plea for everyone: Please properly dispose of fishing line.
Events
Cruise the County: Celebrate Trails Day
Join us on Celebrate Trails Day to check off one of the four rides featured in our Cruise the County challenge and a presentation from staff at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.
Museum Campus Day
If you’ve never visited Isle a la Cache Museum, take advantage of this opportunity to see what’s going on in our 18th-century Traders Cabin and peek inside the Native American longhouse.
The Buzz
Meet the recreation coordinator: Em Wilcher wants to help you connect with nature
Meet Em Wilcher, the Forest Preserve District's recreation coordinator.
Give the lawn mower a rest in May. Do it for the bees.
Participating in No Mow May isn't just a way to cut down on your yardwork for a month. You'll be helping bees and other essential insects too.
Can you identify these 15 birds? Take the test to find out
Birding can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be tricky to get those identifications right.