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The Nature Foundation of Will County's latest donation to the Forest Preserve District helped fund conservation efforts at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, bus scholarships for field trips and the Smokey Bear painting exhibition on display at Forest Preserve visitors centers through March 2. 

The best reward when deciding to 'Be a Trailblazer' is a much-needed mental health reset as well as the physical benefits of being outdoors. 

Head to Mammal Madness on March 1 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon to learn about mammals in the wild and to see live wolf presentations conducted by Big Run Wolf Ranch. The free event features family-friendly activities, crafts and Mammalympics. 

Elizabeth C. Wendelin talks about her dad, Rudolph Wendelin, and his life growing up in Kansas and becoming the artist who made Smokey Bear the beloved mascot that he is. Nineteen of Rudy's Smokey Bear paintings are on display now through March 2 at four Forest Preserve visitor centers. 

Due to the detection of avian flu in Illinois, the Forest Preserve District is reminding visitors to refrain from touching or getting near dead or sick animals. Pets also should be kept from carcasses or feces and feathers of animals. 

The Forest Preserve District has a new challenge for the new year: Be a Trailblazer! More than $10,000 in prizes will be awarded randomly to lucky participants as they complete a wide variety of nature-themed missions in four seasonal sessions.

For the public’s safety, some preserves may remain closed immediately after a winter weather event as Forest Preserve District staff work to plow parking lots and roadways to make preserve visits possible and less hazardous.

"Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin Collection" exhibit will run from Friday, Jan. 17, through Sunday, March 2, at four Forest Preserve visitor centers. The artworks depict the popular U.S. Forest Service symbol and are reproductions of original Smokey Bear paintings that were created from 1977 to 1995. 

A section of the Plum Creek Greenway Trail is closed due to bridge damage to the trail's north bridge closest to Bemes Road. This trail section will remain closed until the tree can be removed and the bridge repaired.

A year of seed collection by staff and volunteers culminated with a seed mixing day at a Forest Preserve barn in December. The seed will be sown this winter in areas targeted for restoration, leading to blooms and better species diversity next year in the preserves.