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A nature illustration featuring a tiny acorn person looking at a frog.
Whimsy takes root with Becorns exhibit at Hidden Oaks
4/22/2025View tiny acorn people and their intimate interactions with nature during the 'Becorns: Little Acorn People Living Big Lives' exhibit from May 3 through June 29 at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook.
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A man stands in center to accept awared.
'Contagious passion' earns Fuqua Volunteer of the Year Award
4/10/2025John Fuqua received the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Volunteer of the Year Award and Don and Espie Nelson were given a Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual volunteer banquet.
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An aerial view of an old railroad bridge over the Kankakee River.
Find the five: a bridge adventure across Will County
3/31/2025The Forest Preserve is rolling out a new spring challenge – The Bridges of Will County – that features five unique bridges in preserves throughout Will County. Visit all five from April 1 through June 30 to receive a Forest Preserve tote bag.
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Two men fish on a boat.
April kicks off boating, kayaking, fishing fun season
3/28/2025April 1 is the kickoff to the Forest Preserve District's boating season. Boat launches open at Rock Run Rookery and Whalon Lake and kayak rentals begin at Lake Chaminwood. Hidden Lakes Trout Farm opens April 5.
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A view of a restored tract of land.
Second wetland bank greenlit for restoration funding
3/24/2025The Forest Preserve District now has two wetland mitigation banks that will provide funding for restoration in two preserves. Farmers or developers who disturb wetlands elsewhere can buy credits in the banks to pay for wetland enhancements in Will County.
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A monarch butterfly on blazing star.
Isle a la Cache hosts buzz-worthy 'Pollination Investigation' exhibit
3/24/2025Smithsonian Gardens’ “Pollination Investigation” opens April 2 at Isle a la Cache Museum. The exhibit, which runs through June 22, highlights the crucial role pollinators play in our ecosystem.
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Volunteers work in the grass along a trail.
Spring into action with a Volunteer Morning program
3/21/2025Celebrate spring by giving back to nature and helping preserve local habitats. Join the Forest Preserve District for Volunteer Morning program opportunities throughout April, May, and June to make a positive impact on the environment.
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An image indicating a closure
Rock Run trail section, access area closed for improvements
3/20/2025The parking lot at Rock Run Preserve – Paul V. Nichols Access on Essington Road in Joliet and a portion of the Rock Run Greenway Trail are closed for an improvement project to repave and realign the trail. The closure is expected to last several months.
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A man and a woman pose for a photo outside a nature center with woods in the background.
Chapman named incoming executive director by Board
3/17/2025Deputy Director Tracy Chapman of Shorewood will be promoted to executive director in May when current Executive Director Ralph Schultz of Plainfield retires after 32 years with the Forest Preserve District.
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A girl holds a sled.
Be a Trailblazer prizes provide more ways for winners to enjoy nature
3/11/2025Cold weather didn't deter hundreds of people from joining the Forest Preserve's inaugural Be a Trailblazer experience. Around 900 participants completed 14,000 nature-themed missions to reap the benefits of being outside and qualify to win dozens of prizes.
Events
Wild Child
Answer the call of your wild child by getting outside with this monthly nature-themed program geared toward children ages 3 to 5.
Lake Renwick Migratory Bird Viewing
See the dazzling spectacle of nesting herons, egrets and cormorants at our weekly bird viewings at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve.
The Buzz
How will you enjoy all the extra daylight in June?
The summer solstice is in June, and those later sunsets mean more time to spend soaking up the sun.
Quiz: How good are your insect identification skills?
Test your insect identification skills with this 10-question quiz.
Wild Relatives: The Goliath frog
Our familiar bullfrog has nothing on the Goliath frog when it comes to size. Bullfrogs may be big by North American frog standards, but the Goliath frog can weigh 7 times as much!