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DuPage Forest Blog

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

Conservation (5)

October 30, 2018

Part 2: The Kitchen Wood-Burning Stove

Keith McClow

The first project we tackled was replacing the production kitchen wood-burning stove in our remodeling project at Kline Creek Farm’s 1880s farmhouse museum. 

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 10, 2018

One-Year Checkup Shows Mussels Are Thriving

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

A one-year checkup on some of the 24,377 freshwater mussels released last fall into the West Branch DuPage River and two tributaries shows they are doing great and growing,...

October 4, 2018

Remodeling an 1880s Farmhouse Museum

Keith McClow

As I listen to an ad on the radio telling me that my home is getting dingy and tired and could really use some sprucing up, I cannot help but think of the challenges of...

September 25, 2018

Duck Race Supports Habitat Restoration

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Congratulations to Marianne Logsdon, the $500 cash prize winner who entered our rubber-duck race to support restoration at West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago....

September 24, 2018

Donations Fund St. James Farm Fountain Restoration

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The granite and marble horse trough fountain at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville has been restored to its original beauty thanks to private donations made to the ...

September 18, 2018

Forest Fave: Willowbrook Butterfly Garden

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

When Willowbrook Wildlife Center site manager Sandy Fejt needs a break from caring for injured native wildlife at the center, she doesn’t have to look far. One of Sandy’s favorite...

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 6, 2018

Protecting the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

Tom Velat

Working on the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Project over the past several years has been a fascinating experience for me.

July 3, 2018

Helping the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly

Andres Ortega

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 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 1, 2018

New McDowell Grove Bridge Reopens

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County officials celebrated the opening of the new two-lane entrance bridge at McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville at a May 29...

May 24, 2018

Honey of a Plan Lands at Kline Creek Farm

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

A team of sixth graders from Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn visited Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago recently to spread its message about helping save bee populations as...

May 21, 2018

Mistaken Identity

Stephanie Touzalin

Spring at a wildlife rehabilitation center means daily arrivals of baby animals. At Willowbrook Wildlife Center, our patient load skyrockets in the spring and summer months....

May 18, 2018

Musseling to Maintain Healthy Habitats

Scott Meister

Maintaining healthy habitats is important, otherwise we wouldn’t spend time and money doing so. Like an automobile or a house, in addition to simple maintenance, sometimes we need...

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 7, 2018

Let's Go Native

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

We all have different sources of inspiration. Sometimes you just have to like something a little before you’ll try it. Other times you have to kick the tires and thoroughly...

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...

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