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DuPage Forest Blog

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

Natural resources (2)

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 ...

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 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 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...

May 29, 2019

Enlisting Crayfish to Help the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly

Tom Velat

Whenever we tell stories about nature, they can be very interesting but can get quite complex when you look at how many of the pieces are interconnected. This is what happens...

December 12, 2018

Feathered Friends Feel the Freeze: How to Help Birds Survive Winter

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Although the ground is cold (and possibly covered in snow), winter doesn’t mean hibernation and hiding for all wild animals, especially for some of the more common creatures...

November 13, 2018

Let's Talk Turkey: Fun Tidbits About This Popular Bird

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

For a lot of people, it’s turkey time. There are hand turkeys, turkey trots, turkey bowls and even tofu turkey with all the trimmings. If you hike through the woods at Herrick Lake

November 6, 2018

The Plight of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee

Andres Ortega

I think it’s just human nature to run in the opposite direction when we see a big black-and-yellow insect flying our way. But when it comes to the rusty patched bumble bee, our...

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...

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 6, 2018

Best Wildlife Dads

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

In the natural world, we know that mom is usually boss when it comes to raising babies. And in many species, it is the mom who does most of the work on her own. However, there are...

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 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...

April 30, 2018

The Tangled Relationships in a Garden

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The relationship between milkweed and monarchs is well known and well documented. Monarch butterflies feed on the nectar in milkweed flowers, collecting pollen before transferring...

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