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• A person snowshoeing.

  Don't hibernate, recreate this winter!

  11/28/2023

  The Forest Preserve District offers a variety of recreational opportunities in winter including hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. With more than 135 miles of trails, 40 preserves, two sled hills and six dog parks, there are many ways to stay active. 

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• Take It Outside participants.

  December will be a month to 'remember' for Take It Outside Challenge participants

  11/28/2023

  The theme for the final month of the yearlong Take It Outside Challenge is December to Remember. Participants will have to remember where certain preserve sites are located to rack up points. The challenge ends Dec. 31. 

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• A piece of art on display at the exhibit.

  'The Natural World Art Exhibit' opens Dec. 1 at Hidden Oaks Nature Center

  11/27/2023

  Take a break during this busy holiday season to view the beauty of nature by stopping by “The Natural World Art Exhibit" at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook from Dec. 1 through Jan. 26. An opening night reception will be held on Dec. 1. 

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• A mouse is illuminated by UV light.

  See the world like a bird or a bug with UV light experience at Four Rivers

  11/16/2023

  Step into a dark room at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center to see how creatures in the wild view color on the ultraviolet light spectrum. The ultraviolet light experience room is part of the 'Golden Opportunity' traveling exhibition, which runs through Dec. 31. 

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• A woman in a wheelchair looks at an interpretive sign.

  Four Rivers receives National Inclusion Project’s first-ever nature center accreditation

  11/14/2023

  The National Inclusion Project’s first nature center accreditation in the country has been awarded to the Forest Preserve District’s Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon. Months in the making, the accreditation shows Four Rivers is a facility where all visitors, regardless of ability-level, can participate. 

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• Three boys cast a line while fishing in a pond.

  Board approves balanced budget; property tax rate will decrease

  11/13/2023

  The Forest Preserve District's Board of Commissioners approved a 2024 budget that includes an estimated 6.86% drop in the property tax rate and funding for many improvement projects throughout the District, including trail connections, additional preserve amenities and restoration work.

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• Two men conducting a prescribed burn

  Prescribed burn map: Here's where we're burning today

  11/9/2023

  This map is updated daily as another way to notify the public when a prescribed burn is being conducted.

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• A coyote walking through a prairie.

  Coyote sightings may be more common as they seek food, new turf

  11/9/2023

  As the weather turns colder and leaves fall off the trees, coyotes may be more visible in late fall as young males seek new turf and food availability declines. But there are ways you can still live in harmony with the state's largest carnivore. 

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• A young man wearing an orange shirt that says feeling squirrely with a squirrel on it

  Merch drop: Squirrel shirt is latest addition to merchandise lineup

  11/8/2023

  The Forest Preserve District's online merchandise line is growing as new T-shirt designs are routinely being rolled out to add to our collection of shirts, hats, magnets, coffee mugs, baby onesies and bibs, and bandanas.

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• A black dog balances a purple tennis ball on its nose.

  Treat your pup to a 2024 dog park permit

  10/30/2023

  2024 dog park permits are on sale now. Permits are good for off-leash play at all six Forest Preserve District dog parks through the end of 2023 and all of 2024. They can be purchased at five visitor centers or online. 

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