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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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A person stands at a concession window.
Sugar Creek, bait shops to close for Indigenous Peoples' Day, Columbus Day holiday
10/10/2024Read moreIn observance of the Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day holiday, the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet and Forest Preserve bait shops will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14. Preserves, trails and dog parks will remain open.
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Image of bare trees
‘Lost and Found’ old-growth forest, savanna exhibit opens Oct. 15 at Four Rivers
10/8/2024Read moreThe 'Lost and Found' exhibit opens Oct. 15 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center. It 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.
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Recipients hold a large check.
‘A mighty force’: Nature Foundation’s decade of support helps Forest Preserve flourish
9/15/2024Read moreThe Nature Foundation of Will County presented a $393,450 check to the Forest Preserve Board on Sept. 12. The donation check and fundraiser celebrate a decade of work by the Foundation to support the Forest Preserve's mission.
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Collage of photos of people showing fish they caught.
Fish Tales Photo Contest winners announced
9/12/2024Read moreThe annual Fish Tales Photo Contest has concluded and four winners have been announced. Each winner will receive a $50 Forest Preserve gift card.
Events
Fall Migratory Bird Hike
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with a hike through the woods to see some of Will County’s favorite migratory birds.
Pumpkin Fun Run
Celebrate the fall season with the Pumpkin Fun Run, open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.
The Buzz
Nature curiosity: How do snakes slither?
How do snakes slither? It turns out it depends on the snake and several other factors.
Five fun facts about the season's much-anticipated color show
Taking in the fall foliage has become such a thing that it's even generated its own term — leaf peeping. Here's your chance to learn more about the dazzling display.