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DuPage Forest Blog

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

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October 27, 2020

Wolf Spider: Friend or Foe?

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Ranging in size from half an inch to over two inches, these large, hairy spiders may be the fuel of nightmares for some people. 

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 24, 2020

It's for the Birds

Keriann Dubina

Do you like birds and wish you knew more about them? There are a few simple steps you can take to welcome birds in to your backyard and begin to identify them.

September 9, 2020

Bee Informed About Native Bees

Keriann Dubina

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

September 3, 2020

Colt Inspires Volunteer's Artwork

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

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...

September 2, 2020

Walking in the Rain

Dave Andrusyk

Have you ever planned a hiking trip at a DuPage forest preserve, only to find out that the sunny nice day you were planning has turned into a grey, rainy day?

August 18, 2020

Five Ways to Relax in DuPage Forest Preserves

Dave Andrusyk

With everything that’s happening in the world, it helps to find ways to take time for ourselves and relax. And it’s good for you!

August 11, 2020

A Decade of Studying the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

Tom Velat

Populations of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly have grown from little more than 100 to 1,000 in the more than 10 years DuPage Forest Preserve District ecologists have been...

August 4, 2020

Get Hooked on Fishing

Keriann Dubina

A lot of people are looking for fun things to do outdoors close to home. If you haven’t already, why not try fishing?

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

Attracting Swallowtails to Your Garden

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Swallowtail butterflies are some of the largest, showiest butterflies found in Illinois. A visit from one in your garden is always a welcome delight.

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.

July 15, 2020

Show Some Loving for Opossums

Jennifer Rydzewski

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) probably won’t win any popularity contests based on its looks.

July 8, 2020

Do Only Female Mosquitoes Bite?

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Many people are surprised to learn that only female mosquitos bite animals and humans.

July 1, 2020

Spawning Time for Sunfish

Keriann Dubina

Much like birds, sunfish like bluegill and bass are busy building nests in DuPage forest lakes in preparation for their growing families.

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?...

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