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A man poses with a fish.
Bait your hook for some fishing derby fun at Hidden Lakes in 2024
4/22/2024Read moreAnglers will have fun competing in fishing derbies at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook this summer. The derbies will be for kids in June and all ages in September.
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A man stands on a trail in a forest preserve.
Healing With Nature: Combat veteran finds his ‘flow’ on forest preserve paths
4/22/2024Read moreThe next installment of the Healing With Nature series features Nick Wallace of Joliet. The combat veteran and former Marine sergeant picked up 70 bags of trash at a preserve recently. He said being in nature reduces his anxiety and provides pure enjoyment.
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An adaptive all-terrain wheelchair
New all-terrain wheelchair available for public use at Four Rivers
4/16/2024Read moreAn adaptive all-terrain wheelchair is now available for public use at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon. The GRIT Freedom Chair – Spartan Model can be used by people of all ages and abilities.
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A few of the Take It Outside challenge first-place winners.
800 participants get serious 'Winter Workout' in first seasonal Take It Outside Challenge
4/5/2024Read moreThe winter Take It Outside Challenge ended March 30 with more than 30 people completing all 110 missions to land in first place. The next seasonal challenge starts April 14.
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A cinnamon teal, with its brown body, is seen in the middle surrounded by blue-winged teals.
Rare bird alert: For first time ever, cinnamon teal spotted in Will County
4/2/2024Read moreA cinnamon teal has been spotted in Crete, which is the first time this bird has ever been reported in Will County.
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A large collection of fishing line waiting to be recycled.
Recycle your fishing line to avoid injuring or killing wildlife
3/17/2024Read moreThe Forest Preserve District has 30 fishing line recycling containers installed at fishing locations for anglers to properly dispose of their broken or unneeded monofilament. The goal is to eliminate fishing line from the environment and to protect wildlife in the preserves.
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A white and brown dog walks on a path
Leash your dog in the preserves or risk being ticketed
3/8/2024Read moreOff-leash dogs are not allowed in the forest preserves other than inside the dog parks. If your dog is loose, you could be ticketed. Off-leash dogs scare other preserve visitors and their pets and the loose dogs could be harmed themselves or do damage to the environment.
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There are plenty of reasons to join our Take It Outside challenge. What's yours?
3/4/2024Read moreThe first seasonal challenge of this year's Take It Outside campaign has seen many new participants as well as returning participants from last year as the community of nature lovers continues to build up steam.
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A woman in a blue jacket stands in a forest preserve with water in the background.
Healing With Nature: Outdoor walks help Naperville woman lose 100 pounds
2/10/2024Read moreJulie Jacobsen, a 54-year-old Naperville resident, says being outside was an essential part of her weight loss journey. In the process, she says she became healthier, happier and more fulfilled than she ever has as an adult.
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A woman wearing black stands in a prairie.
Nature Foundation kicks off 2024 with new leader, new garden tour event
2/5/2024Read moreThe Nature Foundation of Will County is starting 2024 with a new leader, a new garden tour event and a host of activities, including native plant sales, that are designed to raise money for Forest Preserve District programs and initiatives.
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.