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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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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.

April 9, 2020

Slow Down on Spring Cleaning in Your Garden

Keriann Dubina

With the recent warm weather and native plants starting to emerge from their winter slumber, folks may be eager to do some spring cleaning in their gardens.

April 1, 2020

When Waterfowl Run Afoul with Nests

Leigh Korreck

Every spring and summer, Willowbrook Wildlife Center admits hundreds of orphaned young birds. We give as much care as is humanly possible, but the best parent for a bird is always...

March 9, 2020

Women's Vote Helped Win the Case for DuPage Forest Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

More than 100 years ago, women played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

March 5, 2020

Donors' Gift Brings Horses to Danada Equestrian Center

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

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...

February 20, 2020

Get Healthy With Forest Therapy

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Looking for new ways to improve wellness and promote relaxation this winter? Try forest therapy! Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, forest therapy involves taking...

December 18, 2019

Birding in Blustery Winter Pays Off

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Savvy birders know that the coldest months can be some of the hottest times for backyard birding. You can attract birds to your yard by providing them with food, water and...

November 20, 2019

Be-leaf-ing

Dave Andrusyk

Autumn is a time to enjoy the crispness of the weather and the colors of the trees. The yellow, red and orange colors of the oaks, maples and hickories paint a beautiful...

November 15, 2019

Sandhill Cranes Overhead!

Keriann Dubina

What is that loud, bugling call high in the sky? It's sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) on their fall migration! (Hear samples of their distinct calls on Cornell University's ...

November 7, 2019

DuPage Forest Police Get an Eye in the Sky

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

DuPage Forest Preserve Police are adding a thermal-imaging drone to the police force to help improve response and recovery time in the Forest Preserve District’s more than 60...

October 28, 2019

Garden Blooms at Mayslake from Worker's Creativity

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Mayslake Peabody Estate is now home to a garden that blooms year-round, thanks to creativity, recycling and automotive paint.

October 17, 2019

Scientists Search for Clues to Grassland Bird Habitats

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

More than a dozen ecologists from local conservation agencies toured the 1,800-acre Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville recently to explore and learn more about the...

September 13, 2019

A Model of a Thriving 1920s Poultry Operation

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Millionaire coal baron Francis Stuyvesant Peabody is well known for his Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, but few know that he also owned a farm on the sprawling grounds of...

September 6, 2019

Blanding's Hatchlings Raised by Shedd Aquarium Released in DuPage Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Like proud new parents, staff from the Shedd Aquarium released 23 Blanding’s turtle hatchlings in DuPage forest preserves this week.

August 12, 2019

Feeding Habits of Daring Dragonflies

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Dragonflies – while the origin of their name is a mystery, it is an appropriate description of these voracious predators. Both the aquatic nymphs and the flying adults are some of...

August 5, 2019

Restoring More of the Great Prairie

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The 358-acre West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago is one of northeastern Illinois’ premier natural areas, containing more than 600 species of native plants and...

July 30, 2019

Unexpected Garden Delights

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

You expect to encounter native plants and wildlife when you visit DuPage forest preserves, but you don’t expect to find amazing gardens abloom in gorgeous flowers.

July 24, 2019

Birds of a Feather

Glenn Perricone

While out birding at Blackwell Forest Preserve the other day, a very curious pair of trail users caught up to me and inquired about all the brown ducks on the water. What species...

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