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A man, woman, and their dog pose for a photo along a tree-lined trail.
‘TV can wait’: What it takes to climb to the top of the Take It Outside Challenge leader board
10/23/2023Read moreAs the 2023 Take It Outside Challenge draws to a close, find out more about the participants who have been at or near the top of the leader board. Even if they don't win prizes, these couples say participating in the challenge is the ultimate reward.
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October 'Buzz' highlights spooky creatures and fall colors
10/20/2023Read moreTune in to this month's 'Buzz' nature show for spooky creatures and fall colors. The October episode debuts at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, on Facebook and YouTube.
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A display of artifacts from Joliet Iron Works, including a photo and a brick.
Hear riveting tales of Joliet’s industrial past with ‘Stories from Steel’ exhibit
10/16/2023Read more'Stories from Steel,' a Joliet Iron Works artifact exhibit, will be on display at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31. Each item on display will tell its own story to weave together a tale of Joliet's industrial past.
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A man gets into a kayak by using an accessible launch.
Leaving the wheelchair behind: Accessible kayak launch provides a smooth, dry experience
10/4/2023Read moreAdaptive recreationalist Bill Bogdan, who is among the first to try the new accessible kayak/canoe launch at Lake Chaminwood, said the device allows him to enter and exit the water independently. The launch is one of many ways the Forest Preserve is working to make the preserves open to all.
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A Forest Preserve bike repair station along a trail.
Two new bicycle repair stations installed along Forest Preserve trails
10/2/2023Read moreNeed a wrench or an air pump while biking? No problem. The Forest Preserve District now has six bicycle repair stations along its trails thanks to funding by The Nature Foundation of Will County and the Joliet Bicycle Club.
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A sign explaining what the Golden Opportunity exhibit entails.
Mellow yellow 'Golden Opportunity' art exhibition runs through Dec. 31 at Four Rivers
10/2/2023Read moreThe 'Golden Opportunity' exhibition from the Denver Botanic Garden will be on display through Dec. 31 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon. The art exhibition caps off a year of related programming that examines color in nature.
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An aerial view of Joliet Iron Works.
I&M Canal Trail section at Joliet Iron Works to close for ComEd work
10/2/2023Read moreA short section of the I&M Canal Trail at Joliet Iron Works is scheduled to close starting Oct. 4 for a ComEd project. Path users will be detoured onto a service road. The project is expected to last until the end of the year.
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A herd of bison walk through a tallgrass prairie.
See where the bison roam at Midewin in September's 'Buzz' episode
9/22/2023Read moreTune in to September's episode of 'The Buzz' to see bison roaming Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and learn more about restoration efforts at the 20,283-acre Will County site owned by the U.S. Forest Service.
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A man and woman take a selfie along a trail.
‘We loved them all!': Shorewood couple among the first to hike all 10 Woods Walk trails
9/21/2023Read moreA Shorewood couple is among the first to complete all 10 Woods Walk trails this year, just 10 days after the challenge started Sept. 1. Woods Walk runs through Nov. 30, so there's plenty of time to hike seven of the 10 trails to earn a commemorative medallion.
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A Forest Preserve volunteer carrying brush.
Do a good deed while enjoying nature with our Volunteer Mornings this fall
9/20/2023Read moreAs temperatures dip and energy levels rebound, consider signing up for a fourth quarter Volunteer Morning program. It's a great way to be outdoors, keep moving and meet other nature lovers.
Events
Volunteer Morning: Sugar Creek Preserve
Get some fresh air and exercise while helping to make a difference in your community by attending one or more of the Forest Preserve’s volunteer mornings.
WonderKids: Who Lives in a Tree?
Calling all families with preschoolers! Join us for a hands-on program designed for your little one.
The Buzz
Five ways to make the holidays more eco-friendly
The holidays are a festive time — a season to eat, drink and be merry. But all that merriment can create a lot of excess waste.
December is prime time for meteor shower viewing
Need a little help to get through the busy holiday season? December is the perfect month for wishing upon a shooting star.
Meet a Naturalist: Heather Van Zyl, always curious and always learning
Meet Heather Van Zyl, an interpretive naturalist at Plum Creek Nature Center.