Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

November 13, 2018

Let's Talk Turkey: Fun Tidbits About This Popular Bird

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

For a lot of people, it’s turkey time. There are hand turkeys, turkey trots, turkey bowls and even tofu turkey with all the trimmings. If you hike through the woods at Herrick Lake

October 25, 2018

Fall Faves From the Field

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Cooler temperatures, fewer bugs and amazing colors make this time of year perfect for outdoor outings. An informal survey of Forest Preserve District of DuPage County employees —...

October 24, 2018

Saving the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Patience is a virtue, especially if you’re trying to save the federally threatened eastern prairie fringed orchid.

October 16, 2018

Busy Beavers Prepare for Winter

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Late fall means slowing down for many species (including people), but beavers are busy repairing their lodges and dams and poking branches and saplings into mud where the woody...

October 11, 2018

An Ugly Little Stinker: The Stink Bug That Wants Inside

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

It’s that time of year. The leaves are turning. The daylight hours are waning. And, yes. Dozens — maybe even hundreds — of brown marmorated stink bugs are gathering in numbers at...

September 12, 2018

Geese-Free, Thanks to a Border Collie Named Louie

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

It’s 5 a.m. at The Preserve at Oak Meadows — the Forest Preserve District’s signature golf course — and Louie the border collie is on patrol for nuisance geese. His head is...

September 11, 2018

Small Mammals Busy Preparing for Colder Weather

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

While many small mammals and bats are putting on fat in fall to prepare for a long, cold winter hibernation, many are not. For the most part, our common small mammals -- the...

September 6, 2018

Monarch Butterflies Start Long Migration

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Late summer and early fall is a peak time for monarch activity as they prepare for the long migration south to the forests of central Mexico. It’s also a great time to view them...

August 20, 2018

Training With Willowbrook Wildlife

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

For 62 years Willowbrook Wildlife Center has been known for rehabilitating native wildlife and providing education programs for people of all ages throughout DuPage County. 

August 15, 2018

Lunch Break Loops

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Summer is a beautiful time in the preserves. But it can still be a struggle to find time to get to your favorite forest preserve, even though research shows that 20 minutes...

July 30, 2018

Bright Flashes of Orange in Local Trees

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Despite their bright orange plumage, Baltimore orioles may not be easy to spot. These relatives of yellow-headed and red-wing blackbirds prefer high branches in densely wooded...

July 16, 2018

Fireflies are a Summer Delight

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The twilight twinkles of fireflies, or lightning bugs, is one of the sure signs of summer. Most of us have fond memories of spending warm summer nights chasing them. Fireflies are...

June 25, 2018

Get to Know Nature's Nasties

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Ah, summer in DuPage County. Time to get reacquainted with the incredible array of plants and wildlife that call the forest preserves home. Sure, the thought of a few of them...

June 21, 2018

Forest Fave: Meacham Grove

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

When ranger Sarah Rosenberg needs to reconnect with nature, she stops at Meacham Grove Forest Preserve in Bloomingdale. She especially loves the excellent hiking trails at the...

June 20, 2018

Butterflying in the Forest Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Watching butterflies in DuPage forest preserves is a favorite summer pastime for some insect enthusiasts. But even the lesser experienced bug lover in you can find butterflying a...

June 6, 2018

Best Wildlife Dads

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

In the natural world, we know that mom is usually boss when it comes to raising babies. And in many species, it is the mom who does most of the work on her own. However, there are...

May 14, 2018

Avoid Introducing Invasive Plants to Your Landscape

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Many nurseries and garden centers unknowingly sell invasive landscape plants to unsuspecting consumers. These invasives can escape from your yard and wreak havoc on natural areas...

May 1, 2018

Forest Jewels

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Twice a year, DuPage County’s forest preserves play host to hundreds of thousands of weary travelers: migrating birds looking for places to fuel up as they move between their...

April 30, 2018

The Tangled Relationships in a Garden

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The relationship between milkweed and monarchs is well known and well documented. Monarch butterflies feed on the nectar in milkweed flowers, collecting pollen before transferring...

April 24, 2018

The Welcome Return of Hummingbirds

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The return of ruby-throated hummingbirds to DuPage County is another sure sign of spring. These amazing birds can fly up to 60 miles per hour and flap their wings 40 ‒ 80 times...