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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
7/25/2024Isle 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
7/22/2024Honey 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
6/28/2024In 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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A view of a covered shelter.
Four Rivers expands outdoor education, celebration space with addition of Riverside Shelter
5/28/2024The 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
5/22/2024The 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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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
5/3/2024The 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 man stands on a trail in a forest preserve.
Healing With Nature: Combat veteran finds his ‘flow’ on forest preserve paths
4/22/2024The 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
4/16/2024An 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 white and brown dog walks on a path
Leash your dog in the preserves or risk being ticketed
3/8/2024Off-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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Visitors at Four Rivers participate in an interpretive program.
‘This place is so cool!’: Four Rivers embraces visitors of all abilities
2/2/2024A recent visit by a group from Little Friends in Warrenville highlighted just how welcoming the Forest Preserve's Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is to all people, regardless of abilities. The site is now nationally accredited for inclusivity, which means all are welcome and all can participate.
Events
Volunteer Morning: Hadley Valley – Route 6 Access
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.
Mocktails at the Museum
Grab your sisters, girlfriends or best gal pals and celebrate Galentine’s Day with some botanical inspired mocktails!
The Buzz
What's the difference?: Red fox vs. gray fox
Illinois is home to two fox species, the red fox and the gray fox, and telling the difference between them isn't always as easy as looking at the color of their fur.
Quiz: How savvy are you about snowy owls?
Take this quiz to see how much you know about this treasured species.
Nature curiosity: Why and how do turtles breathe with their butts?
How do turtles breathe while they are underwater all winter? Through their butts, so to speak.