DuPage Forest Blog (2)

Birds Take Wing Again Thanks to Willowbrook

on 1/7/22 9:28 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

A great horned owl, two red-tailed hawks and two Cooper’s hawks soared to freedom again this week after being treated for injuries at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

New Program Introduces Kids to Nature

on 1/3/22 8:31 AM By | Jenny Kamm, Derek Gronlund, and Jennifer Rydzewski | 0 Comments | Insider Locations

Think back to your childhood. You may have had someone in your life who introduced you to the outdoors.

Join Our New Winter Adventure Series

on 12/15/21 1:10 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Trails Recreation Wildlife Nature

As the lakes freeze and the ground turns white, we’ll be adding a flurry of outdoor fun to our winter program lineup!

Native Landscaping: Start Planning Now

on 12/10/21 11:20 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Health and wellness Recreation Take 5 Nature native plant Native Plant Sale

It may be wintertime, but now is the time to start planning your garden for next year. It may not seem like it now, but spring will be here before you know it, making this a great time to start planning your garden and yard.

Preserve Visitor Trends in Pandemic Times

on 12/2/21 11:11 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Trails Health and wellness Recreation Volunteer Take 5 Camping

A surge in visitors and use of DuPage forest preserves that started during the pandemic is showing no signs of slowing down.

The Hidden History of Ancient Artifacts

on 11/23/21 2:35 PM By | Keith McClow | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

People have lived in DuPage County for thousands of years, so it’s no surprise that some of the tools and objects they used are still being found in many DuPage forest preserves.

We're Thankful For Our Volunteers

on 11/23/21 9:00 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Volunteer

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has one of the most diverse volunteer programs in the area, offering more than 50 unique opportunities in 11 programs.

Snow Plowing and Trail Grooming in the Preserves

on 11/19/21 12:00 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Trails

DuPage forest preserves are a magical sight to behold after a freshly fallen snow. We know many of you can’t wait to get out there to see the magnificent beauty, but sometimes it’s hard to know what parking lots will be plowed first and what trails will be groomed first for cross-country skiing.

Hidden History of Waterfall Glen's Lincoln Park Nursery

on 10/26/21 10:20 AM By | Dave Andrusyk | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Plants Conservation History

Many people visiting the city of Chicago spend time in Lincoln Park, but few know the connection that DuPage Forest Preserve District’s Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien has with one of the largest parks in the city.

Teen Transforms Container into Scenic Landscape

on 10/22/21 1:38 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Locations

Emelia Buckley likes painting the natural world because “it’s the most complex and simple concept on earth.” So she jumped at the chance to paint a nature scene on the biggest “canvas” she had ever worked on.

Carrying on the Legacy of the Heritage Shorthorn

on 10/13/21 1:52 PM By | Lisa Carpenter | 0 Comments | Insider Locations

Since acquiring its first Heritage Milking Shorthorn cow, Liberty, in 2018, Kline Creek Farm’s herd of Heritage Milking Shorthorn cattle has been growing. The farm now has four animals in the herd, including Liberty’s daughter and granddaughter, who was born this past spring.

Nature's Tricks Are a Nature Lover's Treat

on 10/12/21 2:16 PM By | Stephanie Touzalin | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

Wildlife have long embodied the spirit of Halloween using tricks, treats, and costumes. These strategies are essential for wild animals to survive, find food, and attract mates.

Hidden History of the Steeplechase

on 10/6/21 1:49 PM By | Wayne Zaininger | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

What happens when you combine a love of horses with a passion for philanthropy? At St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville in the 1980s and 1990s, it resulted in an annual steeplechase event that drew thousands to the farm, dominated the work schedules of farm employees, and made a meaningful impact on a local charity.

Halloween Happenings

on 10/5/21 8:51 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Trails Recreation Wildlife Nature Willowbrook

Looking for some “spooktacular” fun in October? Look no further than DuPage forest preserves! From haunted hikes and wagon rides to pumpkin stories and rhymes for little ones, we’ve got a thrilling lineup of Halloween happenings this year, so register soon!

Bosnian Students Visit Urban Stream Research Center

on 10/1/21 8:48 AM By | Glenn Perricone | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Natural resources Conservation restoration

A group of 17 Bosnian high school students recently took part in an aquatic ecology program at the Forest Preserve District’s Urban Stream Research Center at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville. They were visiting the United States for three weeks on a tour that emphasized leadership, American government and culture.

Celebrate OAKtober!

on 9/27/21 8:03 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Trails Natural resources Recreation Plants Take 5 Wildlife Nature native plant

OAKtober is Illinois’ monthlong celebration of oak trees and the things that make them great. We love oaks here at the DuPage Forest Preserve District, so we’re thrilled to be a part of it!

DuPage Through the Lens of My Nikon

on 9/21/21 3:14 PM By | Daniel Walker | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

The pandemic has affected us in varying ways. Early on, many believed it would be over quickly and be nothing more than a minor historical footnote.

Why Art Matters to Saving Monarch Butterflies

on 8/30/21 1:53 PM By | Lonnie Morris | 0 Comments | Insider Natural resources Plants Wildlife Conservation native plant Native Plant Sale

DuPage Monarch Project is a collaboration of four local environmental organizations, each contributing essential resources of science, education, community organizing and public art to the shared mission of protecting monarch butterflies and pollinators. All are important.

A Gateway to History, Golf and a Healthy Environment

on 8/23/21 9:43 AM By | Jordan Countryman | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Recreation Golf History

When an 11-year-old Randy Cochran snuck into Salt Creek at night to pilfer lost golf balls at the private Elmhurst Country Club in Addison more than 50 years ago, he never imagined what it would lead to.

Hidden History of the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad

on 7/21/21 9:30 AM By | Wayne Zaininger and Jordan Countryman | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

Imagine commuting to Chicago by train in the morning only to discover without warning that same afternoon that your Metra line had closed and would never operate again.

Nature's Storytellers

A Blog About Nature in Our DuPage Forest Preserves