Reconnect With Nature | Forest Preserve District of Will County

Be on the lookout for sandhill cranes

These big, loud birds are on the move through Will County.

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Reap the rewards of the outdoors

There are plenty of ways to escape into nature in Will County.

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Knowledge is power

Learn about Will County's diverse plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through our interpretive programs.

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Conserving land for future generations

We protect and restore open space so wildlife can thrive and people can recreate.

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Two cocktail glasses with an orange drink and fake eyeballs set on a table with fake spiders and spiderwebs.

Mocktober at Messenger Woods

THURSDAY, OCT. 15 | 6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM

Join us at Messenger Woods for a guided experience along our trails to trick-or-treat for some themed mocktails

Trail Club: October at Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14 | 8:00 AM TO 9:00 AM

Trail Club is back this fall. October's sessions will be at 8 a.m. Wednesdays at Sand Ridge Savanna.

Trout Season Celebration!

SATURDAY, OCT. 17 | 6:00 AM TO 8:00 AM

It’s fall trout season at Hidden Lakes, and we're opening the gates for some early-morning fishing.

Moonlight Masquerade

SATURDAY, OCT. 17 | 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM

Learn about the darker side of nature through challenges and games in this adults-only evening in the woods.

‘Absolute gem’: Rotary Club honored for role in Forest Preserve’s creation

FRIDAY, OCT. 9 | BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Rotary Club's vision helped shape 100 years of preservation.

Forest Preserve adds controlled burn alerts through Smart911

MONDAY, OCT. 12 | CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION

Residents can opt in to receive notifications when burns are planned nearby.

Wander at Will: Blazing trails across the preserves

MONDAY, OCT. 5 | RECREATION

Be a Trailblazer experience encourages people to slow down and experience nature on the trails.

Plum Creek hosts new birding program for people with visual impairments

THURSDAY, OCT. 1 | PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Free Oct. 19 program teaches participants to identify birds by sound.

Become a Centennial Celebration sponsor

Sponsors can support a century of conservation while gaining visibility throughout 2027.

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The more T-shirts you buy, the more you save

Get up to 20% off everything in our Core Collection. All orders include free shipping and 100% of proceeds go to The Nature Foundation of Will County.

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We want you to Be a Trailblazer

Go on a wild goose chase through this interactive experience that will have you exploring Will County's preserves. Thanks to sponsorship from The Nature Foundation of Will County as well as dozens of local businesses we will be awarding more than $15,000 in prizes throughout the year.

Join the Fun

Get married while surrounded by nature

Will County's forest preserves offer a variety of unique setting to say "I do" in front of your friends and family while also being an affordable option.

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Enter our Preserve the Moment Photo Contest

Here's your chance to show off your photographic skills in Will County's forest preserves. Not only are there prizes, but your photo could be featured in our 2027 calendar.

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Meet our Trailblazers: Kyle Siegel

Say hello to this Trailblazer: Operations Supervisor Kyle Siegel, who helps keep preserves running smoothly year-round.

How and why we monitor grassland birds

Across the county, staff tracks nesting and migrating birds to help protect healthy prairie habitats.

Get to know the snapping turtle

The snapping turtle has a powerful bite and is larger than the other turtles you'll see in our preserves.

Be on the lookout for sandhill cranes

Reap the rewards of the outdoors

Knowledge is power

Conserving land for future generations

Preserves

Recreation

Volunteer

Get a permit