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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.
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An award plaque taken outside with a clear blue sky background.
Take It Outside Challenge wins Outstanding Environmental Education Program Award
5/10/2024Read moreThe Take It Outside Challenge has received an Outstanding Environmental Education Program Award from the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association's Forest Preserve and Conservation Section. The 2023 challenge drew 1,2000 participants in its inaugural year.
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Two women pose with an award
New Lenox woman named 2023 Volunteer of the Year
5/8/2024Read moreSally Wieclaw of New Lenox is the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Volunteer of the Year. Wieclaw started volunteering in 2001 to reduce stress in her life. Now she is an integral part of the District's work to protect plants, monitor butterflies and remove invasive species.
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A woman in a wheelchair pauses along a river to take in the scenery.
All-terrain wheelchair opens 'a whole new world' for nature exploration
5/3/2024Read moreThe first person to test the new GRIT Freedom Chair at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center said she loved that she could travel over grass, roots and mud and feel secure while doing so. The wheelchair is available for public use at no cost.
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A bald eagle and its eaglet in a nest.
Bald eagle nesting update: We have confirmed seven eaglets in four nests
4/23/2024Read moreThe bald eagle population has been booming in Will County in recent years, and we're monitoring four active nests.
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.