Nature's Storytellers

Sandy Youngstrom of Naperville is a wildlife enthusiast who not only enjoys bringing birds, insects and mammals to her own backyard but also supporting wild animals in her neighborhood. That’s why she decided she could adopt a permanently disabled animal at Willowbrook Wildlife Center upon reading about the sponsorship opportunity in the Forest Preserve District’s Navigator e-newsletter. “I looked at all the animals and Andre just spoke to me,” said Youngstrom. “His story just touched my heart.”

The birth of a newborn — a foal, that is —inspired Danada Equestrian Center volunteer Deb Yatka to pick up her pencils and begin to sketch — something she hasn’t done for many years.

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

Danada Equestrian Center welcomed a foal on Monday, May 25 at 5:45 a.m.

Danada Equestrian Center recently welcomed two new additions to the herd, Percheron-quarter horses named Daisy (age 6) and Babe (age 5). The two mares’ arrival to the center were made possible by a generous $10,000 gift from Danada volunteer Jan Yong and husband Jack to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, a 501(c)(3).