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Catching Nature

Read about people who catch nature in DuPage forest preserves.

    Recreation

    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...