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• A Fish Tales Photo Contest winner holding a fish.

  Fish Tales Photo Contest winners announced

  9/8/2023

  Winners of the summer Fish Tales Photo Contest have been announced and each will receive a $50 Forest Preserve gift card. Three of the winners were chosen at random and one was picked by staff as having the most fun in their photo submission.

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• A man and woman measure a large tree in a forest.

  Messenger Woods trees named Big Tree Champions

  8/9/2023

  A jack pine and a black maple in Messenger Woods Nature Preserve made the list of Illinois Big Tree Champions this year. The trees were nominated by David Shepard, an environmental science teacher and tree aficionado and a fan of Messenger Woods.

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• Firefighters work to free a great blue heron that was tangled in fishing line.

  Bolingbrook firefighters free heron tangled in fishing line at Whalon Lake

  8/2/2023

  Bolingbrook firefighters cut improperly discarded fishing line away from a great blue heron on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Whalon Lake. At the request of two Forest Preserve volunteers they freed the bird and prevented it from being injured or killed.  

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• Forest Preserve employee David Piotrowski sells a carton of water in the bait shop.

  Bait shop up and running with snacks, gear and friendly faces

  7/14/2023

  After a year hiatus, Hidden Lakes Trout Farm's Tackle Box bait shop has been completely rebuilt and is open for business. And longtime former employee David Piotrowski is back in his happy spot, chatting with customers and offering fishing tips and a friendly ear. 

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• A collection of images of a woman outdoors.

  Joliet woman says Take It Outside Challenge missions 'make you feel alive'

  6/9/2023

  Eileen Ryan said the Forest Preserve's Take It Outside Challenge has helped her go from 2,000 steps a day to 10,000 or more. 

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• Officials holding an oversized check.

  Forest Preserve receives federal funding for Route 66 trail project

  6/2/2023

  U.S. Rep. Bill Foster presented a check for $1.1 million in federal funding to the Forest Preserve District on June 2. The money will be used for a new path that connects the Wauponsee Glacial Trail to Route 66 in Joliet Township. 

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• Participants take selfies as part of the Take It Outside Challenge.

  Take It Outside Challenge pushing people to 'get out and do something'

  3/28/2023

  Rob Gowens and Samantha Eberhardt are among more than 1,000 people who are participating in the yearlong Take It Outside Challenge. Gowens was looking for something to do in retirement, and Eberhardt is having a blast completing missions with her husband and four children. 

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• Valuables left in plain sight inside a parked vehicle

  Keep safety in mind as you visit the preserves

  2/14/2023

  The Forest Preserve District is reminding visitors to keep safety in mind as they venture out into the preserves to enjoy the milder weather we've been experiencing. Keep valuables locked away, or leave them at home. And travel on trails with a partner whenever possible. 

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• Screen images from digital newsletter on birds

  Hey bird nerds! Sign up for our new Flock and Feather digital newsletter

  1/3/2023

  Now is the time of year when people make resolutions and, this year, ours is to keep finding new ways to connect with the public and share our love of nature.

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• Two men and a child get ready to fish

  Forest Preserve surpasses 23,000-acre mark with 2022 acquisitions

  12/19/2022

  Four acquisitions pushed the Forest Preserve over the 23,000-acre mark in 2022. Land acquisitions will continue in 2023 with the $3 million that is left in a land preservation program fund. 

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