Tempest Farm
Location
Tempest Farm is located off South Yates Avenue, east of Beecher, in Washington Township.
Hours
Only open for public programs as listed in the Event Calendar.
Phone
815-727-8700
The 40-acre Tempest Farm was acquired in 2020. The preserve is part of the Trim Creek Watershed.
The land was donated by Lisbet “Beth” Temple to honor her late husband, Dr. Arvid Temple. Arvid, an avid horseman and animal lover, bought the Washington Township farm in 1965.
In 2013, the Forest Preserve received a conservation easement on 160 acres of the farm. Per the conservation easement, in 2020, Beth Temple began transferring ownership of the farm to the Forest Preserve, transferring the southeast 40 acres. Full transfer is anticipated in the years to come.
This donation is the largest land gift to the District by an individual.'
Natural resources
The site currently protects farmland but provides an opportunity for future grassland restoration near the Trim Creek headwaters.
Upcoming programs
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Slug Stroll (Canceled)
Join us at O’Hara Woods for a slow stroll through the woods in hopes of spotting some slugs.
Volunteer Morning: Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve
Get some fresh air and exercise while helping to make a difference in your community by attending one or more of the Forest Preserve’s volunteer mornings.
Nature Play Day After Hours: The Art of Nests
Explore the creative, cozy and colorful world of nests at our after-hours Nature Play Day.
Latest headlines
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Going with the grain: First organic crop harvested on Forest Preserve land
The milestone harvest is part of a broader effort to improve soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat.
Wander at Will: Kayaking at Monee Reservoir
Meghan headed out on the water for the first time this summer for a kayaking adventure at Monee Reservoir.
Be a Trailblazer experience turns points, prizes into lasting outdoor rewards
Participants say app-based missions have led to a stronger connection to nature.