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Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

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The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County welcomes more than 6.2 million visitors a year; and manages nearly 26,000 acres in 60 forest preserves containing prairies, woodlands and wetlands.

April 23, 2021

Setting the Stage for Restoration

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

This winter, the Forest Preserve District began restoration of Belleau Woods Forest Preserve in Wheaton with donor funds dedicated by the Friends of the Forest Preserve District.

April 20, 2021

The Hidden History of Fullersburg Woods

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

When you visit a DuPage forest preserve to connect with nature, you don’t often consider its history and how it came to be developed as a preserve.

April 16, 2021

Reminder Not to Harvest Plants in the Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

As more plants and mushrooms emerge in the spring, it’s a good time to remind visitors not to harvest things — especially wild leeks and mushrooms — from DuPage forest preserves.

March 25, 2021

Stressed Out? We've Got Just the Thing

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Still recovering from 2020? If you’re like most people, the stress of the pandemic, working from home and e-learning has taken its toll.

March 9, 2021

Owl's Story Tugs at Donor's Heartstrings

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Sandy Youngstrom of Naperville is a wildlife enthusiast who not only enjoys bringing birds, insects and mammals to her own backyard but also supporting wild animals in her...

March 1, 2021

Meet Some of the District's Wonder Women 2021

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Women’s History Month is a great time to reflect on the hard work and dedication of women in all walks of life. We’d like you to meet some of the women who work at the DuPage...

February 19, 2021

The Hidden History of Hidden Lake

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Relics of the former lives of DuPage forest preserves are often hidden in plain sight, but without context they have no meaning.

February 5, 2021

Nature's Valentines

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Valentine’s Day is a day we celebrate relationships but even more than that, it is a day to celebrate love.

January 20, 2021

Seven Nutty Squirrel Facts

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Go nuts over squirrels on National Squirrel Appreciation Day!

Held annually on Jan. 21 in the middle of winter when food sources may be scarce this unofficial holiday was...

January 19, 2021

Mayslake Art Exhibit "Double Vision: Cooperative Art"

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what about art? It too is subject to interpretation, as two artistic groups from Mayslake Peabody Estate prove in their...

January 6, 2021

Engineer Devises System to Stop Zebra Mussel Spread

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

A longtime battle to keep invasive zebra mussels in the West Branch Forest Preserve’s Deep Quarry Lake in Bartlett from spreading to the adjacent West Branch DuPage River took an...

December 15, 2020

Start a New Chapter with Mayslake Book Club

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Explore nature, art and history as it relates to the natural world with Mayslake's “Nature Art & Culture Peabody’s Pages Book Club Three-Part Discussion,” which starts its second...

October 30, 2020

Raccoon Gets a Second Chance at Life

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

This year has been challenging for all of us, even our native wildlife. In early August, a young raccoon was found almost lifeless and covered in oil inside a restaurant grease...

October 27, 2020

Wolf Spider: Friend or Foe?

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Ranging in size from half an inch to over two inches, these large, hairy spiders may be the fuel of nightmares for some people. 

September 29, 2020

Celebrate the Mighty Oak in OAKtober

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

It’s fall and that means trees will soon be showing their colors. Who can resist a stroll on a crisp fall afternoon to gaze at nature’s colorful changes?

September 3, 2020

Colt Inspires Volunteer's Artwork

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The birth of a newborn — a foal, that is —inspired Danada Equestrian Center volunteer Deb Yatka to pick up her pencils and begin to sketch — something she hasn’t done for many...

August 28, 2020

Blanding's Yearlings Released in DuPage Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

With perpetual smiles on their faces, Blanding’s turtle yearlings raised by DuPage Forest Preserve District partners were recently released in DuPage forest preserves.

August 4, 2020

Barred Owl Soars to Freedom with Help from Willowbrook

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

A barred owl injured after being struck by a vehicle was one of many birds released on a recent sunny day at McDowell Grove Forest Preserve after being treated at Willowbrook...

July 30, 2020

Red Fox Finds Freedom After Treatment at Willowbrook

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

A red fox treated at Willowbrook Wildlife Center for mange regained his freedom after being released recently at McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville.

July 27, 2020

Wildlife Myths: Can Frogs Give You Warts?

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Many of us have been discouraged from getting a closer look at a frog by someone claiming that handling a frog can give you warts.

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