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Catching Nature

Read about people who catch nature in DuPage forest preserves.

    July 21, 2022

    Artist Inspired by Danada Horses

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Volunteering at Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton the last six years has been a blessing for Deb Yatka.

    June 21, 2022

    Birding, Volunteering Connect Woman to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Nancy Allured has been a DuPage Forest Preserve District volunteer since 2003, first at the native plant nursery at Blackwell Forest Preserve, then bird monitoring at Timber Ridge...

    May 20, 2022

    Woman Connects to Nature through Art

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Rachel Davis has found many ways to connect to nature. She’s an independent artist who works in paint, print and textile processes; she teaches classes in natural dye at Morton...

    April 29, 2022

    Woman Visits 55 DuPage Forest Preserves in One Year

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Sheila Liss was looking for new pastimes after retiring from her job as a high school special education teacher. She and her husband had raised their family and lived and worked...

    March 31, 2022

    Horses Bond Woman to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Erika Hoffmann has developed quite a bond with Austin, a mustang at Danada Equestrian Center, since she started volunteering in 2021.

    March 8, 2022

    Woman Pursues Passion for Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Stephanie Scurtu lives in DuPage County with her husband, Brian, their corn snakes Jimmy and Timmy, and their rats Teddy and Phoebe.

    February 14, 2022

    Mushing Through the Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Melissa Koenig spent hours exploring the woods and Lake Michigan growing up in Door County in northern Wisconsin. As a grownup, she likes hiking, dogsledding, skijoring,...

    January 25, 2022

    Man Pedals Preserves to Connect to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Before he could even walk, Fred Faller connected to nature growing up in western New York. Now he prefers doing so by bicycle or cross-country skis using online maps and GPS...

    January 3, 2022

    Teacher Immerses Herself in Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Nicola Germann is an educator, most recently in elementary education, including general education, special education, and English Language learners. She has also taught and...

    November 30, 2021

    Love of Nature Fuels Woman's Activism

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    One of the paths Lonnie Morris took into nature was gardening as a kid with her father. Her family’s history of gardening has roots in her grandfather’s strawberry farm. Her...

    November 2, 2021

    Girl Bonds with Horses, Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    At 10 years old, Tessa Burritt has a full schedule. The fifth grader’s interests include softball, basketball, karate, art and horses.

    October 6, 2021

    Man Feels Spiritual Connection to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Bryon Pulliam has been a public high school special needs educator for nearly 20 years. In that time, he has also worked in various levels of sport and recreation, from middle...

    August 31, 2021

    Artist Paints His Vision of Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    After working for 45 years as an architect, Ratindra Das took up painting in retirement. He’s now a nationally known artist, educator and juror who travels the world leading...

    August 10, 2021

    Man Finds Peace Among Horses, Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    When Lazaro Lara is struggling with something — be it his physical, emotional, psychological health or even social well-being, working with the Danada horses as a volunteer is his...

    July 20, 2021

    Couple Explores History in Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Brian and Joyce Ostberg are interested in all things history — natural history, pre-history, and general history. In autumn 2020, they started a YouTube channel, dubbed BeHistoric...

    July 7, 2021

    Exploring Nature Has Many Rewards for Family

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Growing up, Nick Papineau got well-acquainted with nature thanks to his parents, who took him hiking, camping and hunting. The COVID-19 pandemic last year prompted Papineau to...

    June 21, 2021

    Nature Puts Life in Perspective for Man

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Nature helps put life in perspective for Melvin Godson and provides a way to disconnect from technology and daily stresses. It also helped him get through the pandemic.

    June 10, 2021

    Teen Birder Gives Back to Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Alex DeBear is a 16-year-old birder from Naperville. He has a deep love for all things nature related, including photography, citizen science and creating art with natural...

    May 26, 2021

    Nature Keeps Couple Physically, Mentally Active

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Nature and the outdoors help Rick and Lisa Hootman keep mentally, physically and socially active. They like hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, reading and attending academic...

    May 4, 2021

    Nature Provides Lifelong Learning for Teacher

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    As a retired teacher, it only makes sense that John Cebula continues to teach. He’s active in the DuPage Birding Club and presents many bird-related program throughout the area.

    April 22, 2021

    Woman at Home on the Prairie

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    When Cindy Crosby and her husband first moved to DuPage County in 1998, she was afraid there wouldn’t be much in the way of natural areas in the suburbs. To her delight, she...

    April 6, 2021

    Volunteer Forges Connection to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Jim Fousek is a volunteer trades interpreter at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. He has been blacksmithing for a little over 20 years, first with the Lisle Heritage Society and...

    March 25, 2021

    Woman Finds Peace in Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Rita Guill credits her mother with instilling a love of nature in her. She and her husband, John, are carrying on that tradition with their kids: Nathaniel (18), Aidan (17),...

    March 11, 2021

    Man Captures Beauty of Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Henry Kim is a lifelong DuPage County resident who has found many ways to connect to nature.

    February 23, 2021

    Scientist Explores Nature in Detail

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Andrew Hipp enjoys being outside, canoeing, biking and exploring.

    February 9, 2021

    Woman Cultivates Connection to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Marian Pezdek has loved gardening ever since she was a little girl planting alongside her mother in her gardens.

    January 20, 2021

    Photographer Captures Beauty of Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Ian McLeod and his wife moved to DuPage County from Chicago to start a family more than 20 years ago. Now they have two daughters, Emily and Katie, and two golden retrievers,...

    January 5, 2021

    Woman Cleans, Hikes the Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Paula Wallrich and her husband have lived in DuPage County for 34 years, raising two sons in what she describes as a hockey family.

    December 21, 2020

    Nature Refreshes Nun's Soul

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    On any given summer day, you might find Fran (short for Francetta) Glowinski chasing damsel- and dragonflies, experimenting with bubbles, and kayaking at Herrick Lake Forest...

    December 9, 2020

    Nature Helps Couple Transition into Retirement

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Throughout the years, nature and DuPage forest preserves have played an important role in Debby and Tom Gerhardstein’s lives as they raised their family and pursued careers.

    November 23, 2020

    Native Plants Connect Man to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    John Opila and his wife Gail enjoy exploring DuPage forest preserves on foot or by bicycle. They’re also into native plant landscaping and gardening.

    November 5, 2020

    Woman Catches Nature Through Photography

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Susan Nix has always had the nature bug. She has wonderful memories of taking her kids for nature walks through the woods.

    October 20, 2020

    Man Finds True Calling in Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Denis Kania graduated from college with a degree in computer science and worked in applications development for more than 20 years. By then, he had grown tired of the corporate...

    October 6, 2020

    Couple Visits All DuPage Forest Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Kim and Rick Gieser like to take walks together to decompress from their day. Kim is a district manager for LEGO Brand Retail, in charge of stores in the Midwest & throughout...

    September 21, 2020

    Woman Shares Her Love of Nature with Others

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Jill Spealman recently retired from 33 years of corporate IT training and 4 years of public school teaching. But she’s not done teaching yet!

    September 9, 2020

    Man Hikes, Bikes and Photographs Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Ryan Kadolph has trekked countless miles through DuPage forest preserves on his bicycle. But that’s not the only way he enjoys nature and the preserves. He’s also into...

    August 26, 2020

    Man's Love of Nature Started with Scouting

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Zach Ewoldt first discovered DuPage forest preserves as a Cub Scout, but he’s been surrounded by them his whole life.

    August 11, 2020

    Woman Finds Refuge in Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Anna TestoneRetired Teacher Turns Birder

    I am a retired teacher. I have 2 daughters and 3 amazing grandchildren that I try to inspire to get out in nature. I like to bike, run,...

    July 30, 2020

    Hobby Photographer Turns Citizen Naturalist

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Meet Dori Wagner Eldridge, a Naperville woman who loves photographing and learning about the world around her. She's also a wife and proud mother to two teenagers — a son in...

    July 14, 2020

    Man Turns to Nature for Herpetology

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Joey CavataioOld-School Natural Historian

    I work as a food scientist, but deep down I’m an old-school natural historian and serious student of herpetology.

    July 2, 2020

    Man Loves Exploring the Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Greg ProngerNature Explorer

    I married my childhood sweetheart, Deb, and we settled down in Naperville in 1984 and raised a family of six kids (2 boys, 4 girls). We now have 7...

    June 16, 2020

    Long-Distance Cyclist Tours Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Isabel Reyes-ToddLong-distance cyclist

    I have a passion for long-distance endurance cycling on gravel roads. I love seeing new landscapes and sharing the experience with old and...

    June 4, 2020

    Preserves Provide Training Ground for Runner

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Melissa GarloughRunner Sprints Through Preserves

    I am blessed as a mom of three children: Emma (15), Kaitlyn (13), and Lorelai (9). I am a professional home organizer and own my...

    May 20, 2020

    Soccer Family Gets a Kick Out of Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Amber KlimekFamily Gets Kick Out of Nature

    We are a family of four: Carlos, Amber, Diego (9) and Lula (7) Klimek. We are a soccer, travel and nature-loving family.

    May 7, 2020

    Woman Relishes 'Gift' of Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Emily Tipping has lived in Warrenville since 2004. "I’m an outdoor lover — hiking, casual birdwatching, gardening, and bicycling," she said.

    April 22, 2020

    Man Has an Eye for Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Bob Bates is an outdoorsman who takes his cameras with him everywhere he goes. He grew up in Carol Stream, graduated from Eastern Illinois University and then married his wife,...

    April 10, 2020

    Man Reclaims His Health through Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Michael Reher turned to nature to reclaim his health, but it ended up giving him so much more. 

    March 25, 2020

    Nature is a Classroom for Teacher

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Kiel Smith is a firm believer that there is much to learn from nature. The science teacher at Metea Valley High School in Aurora is also a steward of the Forest Preserve...

    March 11, 2020

    Woman Turns To Preserves for Exercise, Adventure

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Growing up in Minnesota, Marie Biemesderfer has always been drawn to water and nature. She remembers discovering how things came to life after in the spring after a long winter...

    February 28, 2020

    Nature Inspires Woman in Many Ways

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Judith Horsley believes in teaching by example. She and her husband, Michael, planted native gardens at their West Chicago home and their church, both of which are now certified...

    February 12, 2020

    Woman Catches Nature through iPhoneography

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Dawn BertucaNature iPhoneographer

    I’m a lifelong DuPage resident, wife and mother. In the past, I was editor of a photography magazine, a creative director, freelance marketing...

    January 30, 2020

    Man and His Dog Glide on Trails

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Sean SeamonAll-Season Nature Lover

    I am originally from Minnesota, but work for The Department of Energy at Argonne National Laboratory brought me to the area.

    January 15, 2020

    Man Enjoys Exploring the Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Daryl Kellenberger loves nature, and he loves sharing the beauty of nature with others through his photography and Instagram page @daryl.k.

    December 10, 2019

    Nature Comes Naturally for Woman

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Lynette KleisnerNature comes naturally

    I've always been interested in nature and wildlife. I've been the videographer at Brookfield Zoo for 13 years, and my husband and I have one...

    November 25, 2019

    Nature Through His Lens

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    If you follow the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County on social media or spend much time on dupageforest.org, you’ve probably seen nature through his lens. Local hobby...

    November 15, 2019

    Woodridge Man Has Eagle Eye to the Sky

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Jeff Smith braves howling winds and brutal cold to scour the skies for migrating hawks from atop the Greene Valley scenic overlook, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

    October 30, 2019

    Aurora Woman Makes Up for Lost Time

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    April Green is making up for lost time. After living in DuPage County for 32 years, she decided 2019 was the year to discover DuPage forest preserves.

    October 10, 2019

    Glen Ellyn Man Has Deep Roots to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Bruce Blake spent much of his childhood playing outside. But he credits an aunt with teaching him to appreciate nature.

    September 19, 2019

    Nature Helps Woman Find Inner Peace

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Petra Sliwiak knew she had to change her life. At 40 years old she faced myriad health issues, suffered from depression and couldn’t sleep

    September 12, 2019

    Raised With Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Nina Hulet is changing her world. She’s got an old soul and a bright future, and her enthusiasm for life and nature are infectious.

    August 29, 2019

    Naturopathic Doctor Rooted in Plants

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Lorinda SorensenNaturopathic Doctor

    I’m originally from Washington state, having lived in both a rural area, near the hills and rivers of the Cascade Mountains, and urban Seattle....

    August 21, 2019

    Couple Delivers on Connecting to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Their neighbors call them "the post office" because "neither snow nor rain nor heat” keep June Lincoln and her husband of 37 years, Chuck, from exercising in the DuPage forest...

    August 7, 2019

    Couple Catches Nature through Volunteering

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Bruce and Kathy DudzikTrail watch volunteers

    Kathy and I are both retired, but we like to remain active. We each volunteer for various organizations both together and...

    July 24, 2019

    Making a Home for Bluebirds

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Ron Olsen spends many hours at The Preserve at Oak Meadows golf course in the summer, but he doesn’t golf.

    July 12, 2019

    Finding Mindfulness in Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Connie SchmidtOutdoor enthusiast

    I have lived in Warrenville in DuPage County since 1982, raising two children with my husband Michael. We board horses and have chickens, dogs and...

    June 25, 2019

    Finding a Sweet Spot for Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Alicia DonovanVolunteer beekeeper

    I'm a volunteer beekeeper at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. I’ve been part of their beekeeping program for over a year. I got interested in...

    June 12, 2019

    Lombard Man a Jack-of-all-Trades for Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Jimmy Tyson learned from his father the importance of being a jack-of-all- trades in his approach to work, but Tyson has expanded that principle to his approach to nature and...

    June 6, 2019

    Trees, Photography and History Root Woman in Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Heidi CarpenterHistory buff, nature photographer, tree lover

    I’ve loved nature from the time I was a small child. I moved from the north suburbs to Chicago to go to Columbia...

    May 24, 2019

    Catching Nature Through Trail Watch

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Jane HalburTrail Watch volunteer, nature photographer

    I’ve been interested in nature since early on, but I didn’t discover the DuPage forest preserves until about 2008 when I...

    May 17, 2019

    Catching Nature through Photography & Volunteering

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Sheila NewenhamVolunteer, photographer, artist, blogger

    I’ve spent my free time outside for as long as I can remember. As a child, playing outside until darkness fell, as a young...

    May 9, 2019

    Woodridge Man Has Quite a Fish Tale

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Richard Karun has been exploring DuPage forest preserves ever since he moved to DuPage County in 1995.

    April 10, 2019

    Darien Man Touched by Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Glenn Gabanski vividly remembers feeding a mountain chickadee a sunflower seed by hand while visiting his sister in Lake Tahoe.

    March 28, 2019

    Cycling a Love of Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Adam CaulkCycling a Love of Nature I’ve lived in DuPage County for the last 16 years. My wife, two sons, and chocolate lab all enjoy going for hikes in the forest on weekends.

    March 14, 2019

    Lombard Woman's Love of Nature Drives Her to Serve

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Kim White remembers childhood summers alongside her grandmother in the garden, watching monarch butterflies flit about the milkweed, looking for tadpoles and rescuing toads from...

    February 26, 2019

    Naperville Group Bonds Over Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    They come from all walks of life, but they bond over their common love of exercise, the great outdoors and nature.

    February 21, 2019

    Man's Love of Birding Fuels Passion for Springbrook Prairie

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Joe Suchecki has many interests, including photography, gardening and bicycling.

    January 24, 2019

    Couple Turns to Preserves for Athletic Pursuits

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Lynn Degnan grew up in Wisconsin with a cross-country ski trail right out her back door.

    January 17, 2019

    Woman and Her Dogs Love Dashing through the Snow

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Annette McNeelyCombines love of dogs, snow and natureI started dogsledding in 2003 when I adopted a Siberian Husky and had no idea what I was in for. Reo was eating my house....

    January 10, 2019

    Naperville Man Rekindles His Love of Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Chuck KellyRekindling a love of natureI have always enjoyed being outside but have really made an effort over the past 10 years or so to spend as much time outdoors as possible....

    December 13, 2018

    Man Finds His Beat Fishing in DuPage Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Johnny Jannotti grew up with DuPage forest preserves as his playground. His childhood home was along the Illinois Prairie Path, giving him plenty of opportunities to connect to...

    December 6, 2018

    Naperville Woman Finds Peace on the Prairie

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Janet LawrenceNature explorer, volunteerI live in Naperville with my husband and have three young adult kids. My youngest just started his freshman year at college, so we are new...

    November 30, 2018

    Dog Drives Man's Connection to Nature

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Since childhood, Kevin Keller has always been drawn to the outdoors, through photography, fishing, plants and gardening and weather watching. 

    November 19, 2018

    Naperville Teen Lands Trophy with Pastime

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Carter Wijangco began fishing with his grandfather in Iowa when he was five years old.

    November 15, 2018

    How Nature Helped One Woman Find Herself

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Katherine HowardNature Whisperer

    I grew up in Idaho and Alaska, so nature has always been up close and personal for me. My favorite childhood memories are entwined with...

    November 8, 2018

    Kline Creek Farm Volunteer Brings History to Life

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Linda Frey loves history, so it’s no surprise to find her volunteering at our 1890s living history farm, Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. 

    October 26, 2018

    Greene Valley Hawkwatch Group a Dedicated Flock

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    They argue with each other, have spirited debates and freeze their tails off, but they keep coming back for more.

    October 18, 2018

    Girl Power Conquers 60+ Forest Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Julie NelsonNaperville Mom and nature lover

    My daughters — Olivia, 16 and Hannah, 14 — were about halfway through summer, and I felt we were in a rut. It seemed like each day they...

    October 2, 2018

    Man Creates Masterpiece at Mayslake

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Not many people can claim kinship with a piece of land, but Mayslake steward Conrad Fialkowski may be one of those people. He has been working tirelessly for more than 30 years to...

    September 26, 2018

    Woman Finds Way to Connect with, Help Wildlife at Willowbrook

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Vanessa Gallt always wanted to work with animals, and she found the perfect outlet as an animal care volunteer at the District’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. She...

    August 28, 2018

    Man Follows Passion for Nature into Forest Preserves

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Larry BrousilVolunteer, outdoor enthusiast

    I'm a project manager for Allstate and pretty much sit at my desk most of the day, so I try to get outdoors as much as possible. My...

    August 22, 2018

    Volunteer Shares History of St. James Farm

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Kathy Isoda was drawn to St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville because it was an opportunity to be part of a new forest preserve, and she loved its equestrian roots.

    August 8, 2018

    Catching Nature Through Volunteer Work

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Bob Young has found the perfect outlet for his two passions: being outdoors and on the water. He serves as a volunteer zebra mussel monitor and volunteer ranger for the Forest...

    July 16, 2018

    Volunteer Finds Happiness Monitoring Bluebirds

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Helen Metanchuk rummages through the trunk of her car as she dons her vest, binoculars, tools and notebook and pen and sets out to check the 12 bluebird nest boxes on her route at

    July 11, 2018

    Brothers Big on Birding

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Armed with nice cameras with huge lenses, binoculars and bug spray, Eddie and Brett Kasper of Western Springs set out for a quick hike at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak...

    June 12, 2018

    Drawing on Nature for Inspiration

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    For a group of area artists, there is something exquisitely refreshing about plein air painting, perfected by artists like Monet, Renoir and Georgia O’Keeffe. From May through...

    June 6, 2018

    Shedd Volunteers Explore Fullersburg Woods Night Life

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Using a high-tech bat detector, District ecologist Brian Kraskiewicz helped participants hear five different calls from the hoary bat at a recent Shedd Aquarium Spring Volunteer...

    May 17, 2018

    Man's Hobby Provides Fun, Friendship and Fresh Air

    Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    Paul KramerModel craft enthusiast

    I started building model airplanes in grammar school and began flying them a couple years later. I didn’t know of any local model airplane clubs,...