Catching Nature

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.

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 window wells.

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

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. 

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

Julie Nelson Naperville 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 fell into the same routine of summer school, swimming, shopping, going to a movie or falling back to tech time and social media on their phones if we didn’t have other plans. I was looking for ways to find a bit of balance, unplug, practice mindfulness and make some memories without spending too much money. 

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 restore the woodland and prairie landscape to Mayslake Forest Preserve, since before the land was owned by the 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 prepares diets for the numerous native wildlife Willowbrook cares for, cleans animal enclosures and monitors the well-being of animals.

Larry Brousil Volunteer, 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 hobbies/interests include hiking, cycling, kayaking and fishing. I have a son who lives in eastern Washington state. Unlike his dad, my son followed his passion and pursued a degree in environmental sciences.

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.