The Forest Preserve has made it easier than ever to stay up to date on District news, features, events and programs.

There is a new one-stop subscription site for three of the District’s digital newsletters: 

• The weekly Compass provides the latest news, upcoming events, and fun information for the whole family.
• Get Going highlights the must-do programs and events for the week.
• The monthly Flock and Feather has a variety of information appealing to birders of all levels.

Simply visit the online subscription page to pick the newsletters that will enhance your Forest Preserve District experiences. 

Dog park permit holders also can sign up for the Canine Quarterly newsletter on the Dog Parks page. The newsletter communicates the latest dog park news and reminders about upcoming dog-oriented programs and the rules and regulations for dog park visits.

“These four options are great ways to keep in touch with the Forest Preserve on many fronts,” said Cindy Wojdyla Cain, the Forest Preserve’s public information officer. “The Compass not only covers the Forest Preserve’s project news, but it also provides features on flora and fauna, programs and events and preserve visitors.”

If you want to know when half-priced dog park permits go on sale or which animals are migrating through the area in any given season, The Compass will have the answers. If you want more information on trail extensions or land acquisitions, the newsletter will give you the facts. And if you want to read about the people who are enjoying nature and Forest Preserve programs, their stories will be told in The Compass. 

Get Going is a reminder of what’s on tap in the next week or so. If you didn't have time to peruse the Event Calendar and you're looking for something fun to do, this newsletter will literally get you going in the right direction. You can pick your level of activity, too, from hiking and biking challenges to bird-watching and yoga options. You'll find out exactly where you need to be by reading Get Going each week.

Flock and Feather is the perfect way for beginners to get into birding or for veteran avian watchers to stay in the know on birds. The most recent newsletter encouraged readers to sign up for Forest Preserve birding programs. It also included five fun facts about trumpeter swans and a “birding by ear” tip on detecting the tufted titmouse.

“The newsletters are all free and they are digital, so they’re easy to read on your smartphone or computer and won’t add to your junk mail pile,” Cain said. “Subscribing is quick, and each newsletter includes an unsubscribe link if you find the publication is not for you.” 

And while you might think you’re getting all the Forest Preserve news by signing into Facebook or some other social media platform, that might not be the case, said Chad Merda, the Forest Preserve’s head of digital marketing strategy/engagement.

"Following us across all of our social media accounts is great, but that doesn’t mean you'll always see our posts due to algorithms each platform uses,” he said. "Signing up for our digital newsletters gives you another way to stay informed about everything that's going on across the District, and the information is delivered straight to your email inbox.”