Catching Nature

People Enjoying Nature in DuPage Forest Preserves

Mushing Through the Preserves

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, cross-country skiing and bikejoring.
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Man Pedals Preserves to Connect to Nature

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 devices.
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Teacher Immerses Herself in Nature

Nicola Germann is an educator, most recently in elementary education, including general education, special education, and English Language learners. She has also taught and coordinated coursework and corporate training for German, French, Spanish, Latin, and English as a Second Language at the community college level.
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Love of Nature Fuels Woman's Activism

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 father expanded what he learned from the farm with a family vegetable garden at Morris’ childhood home.
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Girl Bonds with Horses, Nature

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

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 school athletics to professional.
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Artist Paints His Vision of Nature

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 painting workshops and seminars.
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Man Finds Peace Among Horses, Nature

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 happy place. His face beams with joy as he brushes and cares for the horses.
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Couple Explores History in Preserves

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, where they share some of their history and pre-history interests.
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Exploring Nature Has Many Rewards for Family

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 start doing the same with his two children, Zander, 4, and Talia, 2.
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