'Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin Collection'

Event information

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"Ten-Four, Green and Clear" by Rudy Wendelin. Smokey Bear images used with permission of the USDA Forest Service.

Event details

This ongoing event will be held from Friday, Jan. 17, to Sunday, March 2, at four Forest Preserve visitor centers — Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Isle a la Cache Museum, Plum Creek Nature Center and Sugar Creek Administration Center. Hours at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Isle a la Cache Museum and Plum Creek Nature Center are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Hours at Sugar Creek Administration Center are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays with special Saturday hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 18 and March 2.

Explore the extraordinary career of artist Rudolph “Rudy” Wendelin, best known as the artist behind the U.S. Forest Service’s iconic mascot: Smokey Bear. Reproductions of 19 original Smokey Bear paintings from the U.S. Forest Service collection will be on view at multiple Forest Preserve visitor centers:

• Four Rivers Environmental Education Center: Four paintings on display.
• Isle a la Cache Museum: Six paintings on display.
• Plum Creek Nature Center: Six paintings on display.
• Sugar Creek Administration Center: Three paintings on display.

Be sure to be on the lookout for Smokey-themed programs that complement the exhibit. And you can complete the exhibit challenge by seeing them all to be entered to win Smokey-themed prizes. To participate, download the free Goosechase app to your smartphone and use join code W3XCZ2 or search for Will County Smokey Bear Scavenger Hunt to get started. Complete all five missions, which involve taking pictures of Smokey’s five fire prevention rules and submitting them via the app. 

Smokey Bear images used with permission of the USDA Forest Service.

Promotion and programming materials for the Smokey Bear exhibit are made available through the generous support of The Nature Foundation of Will County.

Event requirements

No registration required.

Forest Preserve visitor centers and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center are accessible facilities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should mention their request when registering or submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.