Read the latest blog story from the Forest Preserve District, and connect to nature in DuPage.
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
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...
August 6, 2018
Protecting the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
Working on the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Project over the past several years has been a fascinating experience for me.
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 3, 2018
Helping the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly
Being a parent is one of the most difficult — but most rewarding — jobs I have ever had.
You watch your children grow from someone in need of constant attention and care until,...
June 25, 2018
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 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 DuPage County 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
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 21, 2018
Spring at a wildlife rehabilitation center means daily arrivals of baby animals. At DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center, our patient load skyrockets in the spring and summer...
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 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...
April 16, 2018
Solutions to Common Garden Challenges
Gardening with native plants has many rewards, but it can also pose some challenges. The beautiful flowers may attract pollinators, but they may also attract unwanted critters,...
April 5, 2018
Ribbit! April is National Frog Month
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Celebrate National Frog Month in April by getting to know some of the frogs and toads of DuPage County. Amphibians are excellent biological indicators of the wider health of...
April 3, 2018
It’s a perennial question that comes up every planting season: Does it really matter if you plant a full-sun plant in the shade or a shade plant in a sunny spot? Well, it does if...
March 20, 2018
Attracting Wildlife to Your Backyard
When people ask me how to attract birds, bees, and butterflies to their backyard, my answer always begins with planting native plants. What do I mean by native plants? A plant is...
