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.
Catching Nature
Read about people who catch nature in DuPage forest preserves.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,...