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A man and a woman pose for a photo outside a nature center with woods in the background.
Chapman named incoming executive director by Board
3/17/2025Deputy Director Tracy Chapman of Shorewood will be promoted to executive director in May when current Executive Director Ralph Schultz of Plainfield retires after 32 years with the Forest Preserve District.
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A girl holds a sled.
Be a Trailblazer prizes provide more ways for winners to enjoy nature
3/11/2025Cold weather didn't deter hundreds of people from joining the Forest Preserve's inaugural Be a Trailblazer experience. Around 900 participants completed 14,000 nature-themed missions to reap the benefits of being outside and qualify to win dozens of prizes.
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Image showing three digital newsletters
Stay up to date on Forest Preserve news by signing up for free digital newsletters
2/24/2025Subscribing to the Forest Preserve's free digital newsletters is easier than ever, and it's a great way to stay up to date on the District's news, features, events and programs.
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Trailblazer experience pushes pet owners to keep moving this winter
2/21/2025Instead of staying home during this cold snap and pulling the covers over their heads, dog owners are finding that the Forest Preserve's new Be a Trailblazer experience is a wonderful motivation to get outside to keep their dogs and themselves moving.
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Board members pose with a large check.
Nature Foundation’s $48,800 donation funds Forest Preserve’s conservation, education efforts
2/18/2025The Nature Foundation of Will County's latest donation to the Forest Preserve District helped fund conservation efforts at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, bus scholarships for field trips and the Smokey Bear painting exhibition on display at Forest Preserve visitors centers through March 2.
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A dead bird frozen in ice and snow.
Avoid sick or dead wildlife due to avian flu risk
2/3/2025Due to the detection of avian flu in Illinois, the Forest Preserve District is reminding visitors to refrain from touching or getting near dead or sick animals. Pets also should be kept from carcasses or feces and feathers of animals.
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Aerial view of snowy trail with logo
Get outdoors and win prizes: Be a Trailblazer in 2025!
1/14/2025The Forest Preserve District has a new challenge for the new year: Be a Trailblazer! More than $10,000 in prizes will be awarded randomly to lucky participants as they complete a wide variety of nature-themed missions in four seasonal sessions.
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Plum Creek Greenway Trail section closed due to bridge damage
1/2/2025A section of the Plum Creek Greenway Trail is closed due to bridge damage to the trail's north bridge closest to Bemes Road. This trail section will remain closed until the tree can be removed and the bridge repaired.
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A man pours seed into a mixer.
Winter seed mixing work sows prairies of tomorrow
1/2/2025A year of seed collection by staff and volunteers culminated with a seed mixing day at a Forest Preserve barn in December. The seed will be sown this winter in areas targeted for restoration, leading to blooms and better species diversity next year in the preserves.
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Destinee Ortiz (left) and Judy Ogalla (right)
Forest Preserve Board reorganizes, elects new officers
12/23/2024The Forest Preserve District's Board reorganized on Dec. 19 and elected officers for the next two years. Destinee Ortiz of Romeoville was selected as president for the first year of a two-year term, and Judy Ogalla of Monee will serve as president for the second year of the term.
Events
Fish Tales Photo Contest: Hidden Lakes Trout Farm
Tell your personal fish tale by competing in the Fish Tales Photo Contest at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm. It doesn’t take the biggest fish to win, just the luckiest.
Fish Tales Photo Contest: Monee Reservoir
Tell your personal fish tale by competing in the Fish Tales Photo Contest at Monee Reservoir. It doesn’t take the biggest fish to win, just the luckiest.
The Buzz
Wish upon a shooting star: July a good month for meteor activity
Meteor activity will be heating up in July, with three meteor showers sending shooting stars streaking across the night sky.
Wild Relatives: The capybara
What wallows like a pig, swims like a hippo and looks like a giant guinea pig? A capybara, the largest rodent in the world.
Help wildlife beat the heat by leaving water out for them
What are you doing to beat the heat this summer? If you can, add leaving water out for wildlife to your list.