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DuPage Forest Blog

Read the latest blog story from the Forest Preserve District, and connect to nature in DuPage.

Conservation (2)

April 9, 2021

Partnership Mussels Into Chicago River

Scott Meister

The DuPage Forest Preserve District recently embarked on a new and unique partnership with Urban Rivers, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago with a mission to transform city...

March 17, 2021

The Hidden History of Winfield Mounds

Jordan Countryman

With the passage of time, nature disguises the land’s cultural legacy, covering the marks of human impact and often protecting the past with brush and vegetation, but this can...

March 10, 2021

Soak in the Solar

Dave Andrusyk

As we celebrate International Solar Appreciation Day on Thursday, March 10, let’s look at the many ways we benefit from the sun and how we can harness its energy to help create...

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...

October 15, 2020

Fall Color Finds

Dave Andrusyk

When the sweaters come out and the kids are back at school, you know it’s time for another sure sign of the season: fall colors. You also know that you need go no farther than...

October 1, 2020

On With the Show

Scott Kobal

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...

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 9, 2020

Bee Informed About Native Bees

Keriann Dubina

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

August 26, 2020

Keep Away! Hogweed, Hemlock and Parsnip

Dave Andrusyk

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...

August 13, 2020

High-Flying Chimney Swifts

Keriann Dubina

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.

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

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.

June 24, 2020

A Big Day

Glenn Perricone

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...

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

June 15, 2020

Celebrate the Summer Solstice

Dave Andrusyk

If you want to make the most of your time in DuPage forest preserves, mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

May 14, 2020

Smoothing the Way for Smooth Green Snakes

Dan Thompson

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.

May 8, 2020

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

Stephanie Touzalin

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?...

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.

April 30, 2020

Where the Native Plants Grow

Jennifer Rydzewski

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

April 17, 2020

Best Native Shrubs for Your Yard

Keriann Dubina

With winter slowly fading and signs of spring arriving daily, gardeners are getting the itch.

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