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A woman stands on a bridge.
Healing With Nature: Easing life’s transitions with the calmness of forest bathing
10/21/2024Read moreBarbara Collins, a Bolingbrook retiree, turned to nature and her history with plants to find a new purpose in life.
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An aerial view of Rock Run Rookery.
Boat launches, bait shops to close for winter
10/20/2024Read moreAs the Forest Preserve District prepares for winter, drinking fountains will be turned off and boat launches and bait shops will close.
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A pumpkin is smashed with a bat.
Pulverize your pumpkins at Pumpkin Smash to keep them out of landfills
10/18/2024Read moreDon’t pitch your pumpkins after Halloween, pulverize them at the annual Pumpkin Smash program at Plum Creek Nature Center. Participants can pound, roll or drop their jack-o’-lanterns over a railing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. All pumpkins will be composted.
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A wooden shade structure.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center on schedule to reopen in early 2025
10/11/2024Read moreRenovations are progressing at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook and the building is scheduled to reopen to the public in the first quarter of 2025.
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Image of bare trees
‘Lost and Found’ old-growth forest, savanna exhibit now open at Four Rivers
10/8/2024Read moreThe 'Lost and Found' exhibit at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center features photos that capture the grace and grandeur of what remains of the vast forests and savannas that once covered the eastern half of the United States.
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Fall scenery showing the fall frolic logo
Fall Take It Outside Challenge offers plenty of prizes and a myriad of missions
10/3/2024Read moreIf you haven’t tackled the Take It Outside Challenge yet, or if you are raring to go for another session, get ready for the Fall Frolic, which begins Sunday, Oct. 6. Challenge participants will have until Saturday, Dec. 14, to complete hundreds of nature-themed missions to earn points and win prizes.
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These Take It Outside winners conquered all 206 missions
9/27/2024Read moreSix people came out on top in the summer Take It Outside Challenge. They completed all 206 missions to earn 4,135 points. The challenge began June 30 and ended Sept. 21. More than 30 prizes were awarded during the contest.
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An exterior view of Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Hidden Oaks Nature Center is closed for renovations
9/26/2024Read moreHidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook is closed for extensive renovations. In addition to the building being closed, the site's parking lot, shelter/pavilion and nature trail also are closed.
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A rusty-patched bumble bee, with its white and yellow bands flies into a purple colored wild bergamot flower.
Forest Preserve staff discover endangered species not seen in the preserves since 1983
9/23/2024Read moreEcologist Barbara Sherwood said she almost cried when she spied a Bombus affinis, the federally endangered rusty-patched bumblebee, in a Des Plaines River Valley preserve this summer.
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A woman crouches down in a field to collect seeds off native plants.
Volunteers sought for seed collection, brush control and events
9/19/2024Read moreHelp your community by signing up for a fall Volunteer Morning program. Volunteers will gather seeds for future restoration efforts and clear brush so native plants have room to grow. Fifteen programs will be offered from October through December.
Events
Rec Bike Club: Messenger Marsh
Wrap up our Rec Bike Club series with a 5-mile ride through Messenger Marsh.
Take It Outside Meetup
Looking for a way to connect with fellow Goosechasers? Join us for this meetup to get to know other Take It Outside challenge participants and maybe even complete some missions together.
The Buzz
The time is now to sow native seeds for next summer's blooms
It's not too early to start thinking about next year's flower gardens. In fact, if you're thinking about adding more native plants to your landscape, now is the time to sow the seeds so they germinate come spring.
Don't miss the fall color at these preserves
If fall is your favorite color, it's time to seize the season and head outdoors. Looking for someplace new to explore? Plenty of preserves shine at this time of year.
Leave the leaves: Skip the raking this fall. It's better for the environment
Put down the rake. You can feel good about leaving your leaves wherever they fall. Letting them be is actually better for the environment and for your yard.