Skip to navigation Skip to content

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Photo of blog author Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County improves the quality of life for all DuPage County residents. Its 26,000 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and waterways contribute to cleaner air and water, help with flood control, create vital habitats for wildlife, and provide safe spaces where people can boost their physical and mental health. More than 5.5 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 175 miles of trails, seven education centers, and scores of programs each year.

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...

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 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 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...

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 22, 2020

Attracting Swallowtails to Your Garden

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Swallowtail butterflies are some of the largest, showiest butterflies found in Illinois. A visit from one in your garden is always a welcome delight.

July 22, 2020

Where the Native Wild Things Are

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Somewhere, in a relatively small section of Blackwell Forest Preserve nestled along Mack Road, lies a special place where native plants grow.

July 8, 2020

Do Only Female Mosquitoes Bite?

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Many people are surprised to learn that only female mosquitos bite animals and humans.

June 17, 2020

The Power of Pollinators

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

“Nature is to be found in her entirety nowhere more than in her smallest creatures.”~ Pliny the Elder

May 4, 2020

Best Wildlife Moms

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

There are so many things that make moms special — they go the extra mile for their kids, know just what they need, and are fierce protectors of their wee ones.

March 9, 2020

Women's Vote Helped Win the Case for DuPage Forest Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

More than 100 years ago, women played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

March 5, 2020

Donors' Gift Brings Horses to Danada Equestrian Center

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Danada Equestrian Center recently welcomed two new additions to the herd, Percheron-quarter horses named Daisy (age 6) and Babe (age 5). The two mares’ arrival to the center were...

Subscribe to Our Blog