DuPage Forest Blog | Conservation

Seven Nutty Squirrel Facts

on 1/20/21 2:34 PM By | Abby Dean | 0 Comments | Natural resources Wildlife Conservation Nature

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 started in 2001 by a wildlife rehabilitator named Christy Hargrove to recognize the role that squirrels play in the environment.

Lessons From 2020

on 12/11/20 3:21 PM By | Andres Ortega | 0 Comments | Natural resources Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

The events of 2020 have been a great lesson for many aspects of my life. At the top of the list, I have gained an even greater appreciation for the work I do to help the natural areas of DuPage County.

Fall Color Finds

on 10/15/20 2:14 PM By | Dave Andrusyk | 0 Comments | Natural resources Plants Wildlife Conservation Nature native plant

When the sweaters come out and the kids are back at school (in person or otherwise), you know it’s time for another sure sign of the season: fall colors. You also know that you need go no farther than your nearest DuPage forest preserve to enjoy the show!

On With the Show

on 10/1/20 10:15 AM By | Scott Kobal | 0 Comments | Natural resources Plants Wildlife Conservation Nature native plant

Now that fall’s officially here, we’re starting to see the first signs of color in our forest preserves. So it’s only natural that people want to know what to expect in the way of fall color displays.

Celebrate the Mighty Oak in OAKtober

on 9/29/20 9:00 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Natural resources Plants Wildlife Conservation Nature native plant

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?

Relocating Fish to a New Spring Brook

on 9/14/20 11:50 AM By | Scott Meister | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Wildlife Conservation Nature

Restoration of Spring Brook as it flows through Blackwell Forest Preserve includes building a new stream channel and removing a dam to provide better habitat and a gentler slope to allow fish to swim upstream.

Bee Informed About Native Bees

on 9/9/20 1:16 PM By | Keriann Dubina | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Wildlife Conservation Nature native plant

Did you know Illinois is home to more than 500 species of native bees?

Blanding's Yearlings Released in DuPage Preserves

on 8/28/20 9:20 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Natural resources Community partnership Wildlife Conservation Nature donate

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

Keep Away! Hogweed, Hemlock and Parsnip

on 8/26/20 4:11 PM By | Dave Andrusyk | 0 Comments | Natural resources Plants Wildlife Conservation Nature Nonnative Invasive native plant

Many plants have amazing adaptations that protect them from being eaten or destroyed by other organisms. That’s good for them but can be bad for people who come in contact with them.

High-Flying Chimney Swifts

on 8/13/20 11:59 AM By | Keriann Dubina | 0 Comments | Natural resources Wildlife Conservation Nature

Have you ever seen something fluttering in the air that looks like a cigar with wings? Is it a bat? Is it a bird? It’s likely a chimney swift.

Barred Owl Soars to Freedom with Help from Willowbrook

on 8/4/20 3:01 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation Willowbrook

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 Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

Red Fox Finds Freedom After Treatment at Willowbrook

on 7/30/20 2:04 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation Willowbrook

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

Where the Native Wild Things Are

on 7/22/20 12:56 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Natural resources Plants Volunteer Wildlife Conservation Nature native plant Friends of the Forest Preserve District

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

A Big Day

on 6/24/20 9:41 AM By | Glenn Perricone | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Natural resources Recreation Wildlife Conservation Nature

Many DuPage County birdwatchers participate in a “Birding Big Day,” where they try to observe as many species of birds as possible in one day within a determined geographical location.

The Power of Pollinators

on 6/17/20 2:28 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Natural resources Plants Wildlife Conservation Nature native plant

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

Celebrate the Summer Solstice

on 6/15/20 10:15 AM By | Dave Andrusyk | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature

If you want to make the most of your time in DuPage forest preserves, mark your calendar for Saturday, June 20, 2020.

Smoothing the Way for Smooth Green Snakes

on 5/14/20 9:34 AM By | Dan Thompson | 0 Comments | Insider Natural resources Community partnership Wildlife Conservation Nature

Meet the smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis), a brilliant green, relatively small non-venomous snake that we’d like to see more of in DuPage County.

Can't You Take Just One More? No, and Here's Why

on 5/8/20 10:30 AM By | Stephanie Touzalin | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

Every facility that cares for animals has to make tough decisions all the time: What type of animals should they treat? How many? Do they have the staff and skill to treat them? How should already limited resources be spread fairly among all the animals in need of help?

Best Wildlife Moms

on 5/4/20 2:33 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature

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.

Where the Native Plants Grow

on 4/30/20 8:43 AM By | Jennifer Rydzewski | 0 Comments | Insider Plants Conservation Nature native plant Native Plant Sale

Planting native plants in our yards and gardens is gaining popularity for good reasons.

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Nature's Storytellers

A Blog About Nature in Our DuPage Forest Preserves