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Children look at samples of butterflies.
Pollinator Party returns with family fun, live animals and hands-on learning
5/29/2025Pollinator Party returns to Isle a la Cache Museum on Saturday, June 14, with live animals, crafts, food trucks, a native plant sale, vendors and more. The free event celebrates pollinators with activities for all ages.
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Compilation of images from art exhibit as well artist.
'Prairie Reverie’ exhibit offers artistic ode to native prairies
5/28/2025A 'Prairie Reverie' exhibit at Plum Creek Nature Center showcases local artist Carrie Carlson’s artwork celebrating Illinois’ native prairie life. The free exhibit runs June 4 through Aug. 24.
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Watercolor images of birds
Watercolor wings: Local artist’s bird-inspired exhibit lands at Four Rivers
5/27/2025Homer Glen artist Robert Hafey’s bird-inspired watercolor exhibit, 'The Joy of Birds,' opens June 5 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center. The free show highlights common and beloved bird species through artwork based on Hafey’s photography along Will County trails.
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A head of a fishing line recycling container
Protecting wildlife: Forest Preserve installs upgraded fishing line bins
5/23/2025The Forest Preserve District is installing 36 redesigned fishing line recycling containers to help prevent injuries to wildlife. The bins are more durable and better suited for proper recycling.
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A bucket filled with trash.
Volunteers needed for National Trails Day Cleanup on June 7
5/21/2025Join the Forest Preserve District for a National Trails Day Cleanup from 10 a.m. to noon June 7 at Forked Creek Preserve – Ballou Road Access. Volunteers of all ages will help beautify the site, enjoy giveaways and refreshments, and have a chance to win hiking gear by taking a stewardship pledge.
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A man and woman pose with a police officer and a fake robber behind a 1949 Chevy.
‘Put Your Junk in the Trunk’ to prevent vehicle break-ins
5/20/2025The Forest Preserve District has kicked off a 'Put Your Junk in the Trunk' campaign to help prevent vehicle burglaries in the preserves. The effort includes signage and a lighthearted music video that uses exaggerated props and humor to reinforce the importance of securing valuables before hitting the trails.
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A man stands on a trail.
Executive Director Schultz retires after decades of shaping a greener Will County
5/13/2025Executive Director Ralph Schultz will retire May 16 after nearly 32 years of leadership with the Forest Preserve District. His legacy includes major land acquisitions, trail projects and lasting community impact.
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Two women
Two Forest Preserve interpreters win national awards
5/8/2025Forest Preserve program coordinators Jessica McQuown and Heather Van Zyl both received Distinguished Frontline Interpreter awards recently from the National Association for Interpretation.
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Men and women cut a yellow ribbon at a grand opening
Hidden Oaks Nature Center reopens with oak-tastic vibes and family fun
5/5/2025More than 1,400 people attended the grand reopening celebration for the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook on May 3. The site was closed for 15 months for a $2 million makeover.
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A man stands by a bee display.
From college to colony: Meet Plum Creek's new beekeeper
4/28/2025New beekeeper Dade Bradley brings curiosity, conservation and community spirit to Plum Creek Nature Center. Get to know him and more about bees at the monthly Meet a Beekeeper programs at Plum Creek starting Saturday, May 10.
Events
Wild Child
Answer the call of your wild child by getting outside with this monthly nature-themed program geared toward children ages 3 to 5.
Lake Renwick Migratory Bird Viewing
See the dazzling spectacle of nesting herons, egrets and cormorants at our weekly bird viewings at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve.
The Buzz
Quiz: How good are your insect identification skills?
Test your insect identification skills with this 10-question quiz.
Wild Relatives: The Goliath frog
Our familiar bullfrog has nothing on the Goliath frog when it comes to size. Bullfrogs may be big by North American frog standards, but the Goliath frog can weigh 7 times as much!
Nature curiosity: Why are robin eggs blue?
The color of a robin's eggs is a familiar shade of blue, but the source of that color may surprise you.