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Rock Run Greenway Trail reopens along Essington, remains closed at Olympic Blvd.
8/13/2024Read moreA section of the Rock Run Greenway Trail that had been closed from Paul V. Nichols Access on Essington Road to Theodore Street has now reopened. But the trail remains closed at Olympic Boulevard.
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The large entrance sign indicating people are entering McKinley Woods.
Board approves acquisition of key parcel to expand McKinley Woods
8/9/2024Read moreMcKinley Woods in Channahon will expand by 57 acres after the Board of Commissioners voted on Aug. 8 to approve the acquisition. The purchase will make the preserve easier to maintain and restore by expanding access in a hard-to-reach area.
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Various nature-themed backpacks arranged in a display, each open to reveal its contents.
Nature backpacks lead to exploration at Isle a la Cache
7/25/2024Read moreIsle a la Cache Museum has four new colorful backpacks chock full of activities and helpful nature information that will guide outdoor exploration. The Bugs, Birds, By the River and Tree backpacks are free to use during museum hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
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"Two beekeepers, a man and a woman, standing in front of their beehives.
Couple’s honey-producing passion was meant to bee
7/22/2024Read moreHoney being sold at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook comes from bees that sip a wide variety of nectar to produce many different varieties of the sweet stuff. The Bee All About It honey ranges from buckwheat to wildflowers.
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A man shows off his harmonicas.
Healing With Nature: As time ticks by, ‘Harmonica Jack’ makes beautiful music in nature
6/28/2024Read moreIn the third installment of the Forest Preserve's Healing With Nature series, Beecher resident John Keslin talks about how he's still having fun playing the harmonica in nature, even though he is facing serious health issues.
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Collage showing the selfies of the Spring Fling winners
Spring Take It Outside Challenge winners say patience and ‘a little luck’ led to their success
6/20/2024Read moreThe spring Take It Outside Challenge wrapped up on June 15 with seven first-place winners, more than 650 participants and 25,000 missions completed. The Summer Soiree challenge begins June 30 with a new batch of fun, nature-themed missions throughout the preserves.
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An aerial view of a recent trail extension of Veterans Memorial Trail
Forest Preserve Board invests in nature with $50 million bond issue for preservation, restoration
6/13/2024Read moreBond sale revenue will allow the District to preserve more green space for future generations and add access to open areas so people can reap the physical and mental benefits of being in nature.
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A view of a covered shelter.
Four Rivers expands outdoor education, celebration space with addition of Riverside Shelter
5/28/2024Read moreThe outdoor education and celebration space at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon has increased this year with the addition of a shelter along the Des Plaines River.
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Stop feeding wildlife in the preserves, it's bad for critters and you could be ticketed
5/22/2024Read moreThe Forest Preserve District's General Use Ordinance No. 124 prohibits the feeding or baiting of wildlife in the preserves and violators will be ticketed. The prohibited activity can lead to disease transmission, overpopulation and illnesses in wildlife.
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Selfies showing people participating in the Take It Outside challenge.
Take It Outside challenge draws participants from as far away as Florida and Ireland
5/17/2024Read moreWhile the bulk of Take It Outside challenge participants are from Will County, many are crossing county lines to take part in this popular program.
Events
Volunteer Morning: Riverview Farmstead 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.
Sensory Search
Turn your outdoor experience into a sensory adventure with this scavenger hunt.
The Buzz
More darkness in November means more sky-watching opportunities
We're going to be experiencing a lot more darkness come November, but the silver lining is more sky-watching opportunities.
Puffballs are one mushroom that can be hard to resist
It can be hard to resist the urge to give puffballs a little push, releasing their millions of spores into the air.
Quiz: What's your red-tailed hawk IQ?
Find out by answering these 10 questions.