DuPage Forest Blog

Hidden History of McDowell Grove

on 5/25/22 7:32 AM By | Jordan Countryman | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

Sometimes the history of a DuPage forest preserve is simply forgotten, but other times it is purposely kept secret. In the 1940s, McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville played more than one clandestine role, sparking rumors that evolved into legends.

6 Easy Tips for Successful Composting

on 5/20/22 8:40 AM By | Derek Gronlund | 0 Comments | Insider Conservation Nature Living green

Composting at home is one of the easiest ways you can make a positive impact on the environment. And it’s the perfect time to find out how to get started in celebration of Learn About Composting Day on May 29.

DuPage Forest Police Get Improved Eye in the Sky

on 5/6/22 9:47 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider police

DuPage Forest Police have added a second, more powerful drone to the police force to help improve response and recovery time in the DuPage Forest Preserve District’s more than 60 forest preserves.

Hidden History: Burlington Park as Chicago's Recreation Destination

on 4/20/22 7:39 AM By | Dennis Buck | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

Railroads were crucial to the development of the United States, sparking economic and industrial expansion all around them and carrying people and goods across the country. One of the area’s most famous railroads also played an important part in the development of DuPage County’s park system.

Dying Easter Eggs in the 1890s

on 4/15/22 12:43 PM By | Wayne Hill | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Plants Nature native plant History

Natural dyes were used in a variety of ways in a colorful Victorian life in the 1890s.

Bald Eagle Released After Treatment at Willowbrook

on 4/6/22 2:11 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

A juvenile bald eagle flew to freedom recently after being treated for lead poisoning at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

Perk Up Your Parkway with Native Plants

on 4/1/22 10:43 AM By | Keriann Dubina | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Plants Nature native plant Native Plant Sale

Planting native plants in your parkway is a great way to help people appreciate native plants by growing them in your parkway for all to enjoy. And it helps pollinators too!

Great Horned Owlet Reunited with Family

on 3/30/22 10:58 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

A great horned owlet was reunited with its family thanks to DuPage Forest Preserve District forestry workers and Willowbrook Wildlife Center.

Hidden History of Mammoth Spring Icehouse

on 3/25/22 4:52 PM By | Dave Andrusyk | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

If you look closely while walking along the Night Heron Trail at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook, you can find a little piece of history.

'On Your Left' and Other Trail Tips

on 3/23/22 12:40 PM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Trails Recreation

DuPage forest preserve trails are popular with all kinds of visitors: some on foot, some on wheels and others on horseback.

Snowy Owl Soars to Freedom After Treatment at Willowbrook

on 3/17/22 10:20 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

An injured snowy owl soared to freedom this week after being treated for rodenticide poisoning at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

Meet Some of the District's Wonder Women 2022

on 3/1/22 10:58 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

Women’s History Month is a great time to reflect on the hard work, dedication achievements of women in all walks of life. We’d like to introduce you to some of the amazing women who work at the DuPage Forest Preserve District.

Best Winter Hikes

on 2/25/22 2:25 PM By | Sarah Rosenberg | 0 Comments | Insider Trails Health and wellness Recreation Take 5 Nature

Winter is a great time to go exploring in the DuPage forest preserves.

Hidden History of Dunham's Equine Legacy

on 2/24/22 9:49 AM By | Jordan Countryman | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

Most people know that “in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” But did you know that in 1893 Christopher Columbus took a train to Dunham Forest Preserve in Wayne?

Eagle Reunited with Mate After Poisoning

on 2/11/22 7:41 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

An injured bald eagle has been reunited with its mate this week thanks to a concerned resident, a group of volunteers and Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

Stayin' Alive: How Wildlife Survive Winter

on 2/7/22 10:52 AM By | Nate Hambel | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Nature

Animals in northern Illinois must face the harsh reality of cold blustery winters that leave them vulnerable to exposure and starvation.

District's Freshwater Mussels Help 3 Waterways

on 1/24/22 2:48 PM By | Joe Limpers | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Natural resources Community partnership Wildlife Conservation

Ecologists at the DuPage Forest Preserve District’s Urban Stream Research Center successfully propagated and released 495 freshwater mussels in three different watersheds in 2021.

Cold Weather is for the Birds

on 1/20/22 8:13 AM By | Keriann Dubina | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Nature

Each winter, DuPage County and northern Illinois receive two visitors from the north who use this area as their warmer wintering grounds. One may think that sounds crazy, calling northern Illinois warm, but where these birds come from, temperatures in winter can average below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hidden History of the Blackwell Mammoth

on 1/12/22 12:34 PM By | Dave Andrusyk | 0 Comments | Insider Locations History

It started like a normal day for Gary Jones, a heavy equipment operator for the DuPage Forest Preserve District.

Birds Take Wing Again Thanks to Willowbrook

on 1/7/22 9:28 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Conservation Nature Rehabilitation

A great horned owl, two red-tailed hawks and two Cooper’s hawks soared to freedom again this week after being treated for injuries at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

Nature's Storytellers

A Blog About Nature in Our DuPage Forest Preserves