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• A view of a covered shelter.

  Four Rivers expands outdoor education, celebration space with addition of Riverside Shelter

  5/28/2024

  The 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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• An aerial view of a forest preserve

  Public hearing scheduled for proposed $50 million Capital Improvement Program bond issue

  5/23/2024

  A public hearing has been scheduled for June 6 for a proposed bond issue that would fund a 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program. The $50 million bond issue would not result in a tax increase for the Forest Preserve portion of property tax bills because previously issued bonds have been paid off. In fact, taxes will decrease even with the bond issue. The money would be used to preserve land, connect trails and restore habitat.

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• Stop feeding wildlife in the preserves, it's bad for critters and you could be ticketed

  5/22/2024

  The 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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• Rock Run Greenway Trail closed at two locations in Joliet

  5/21/2024

  The Rock Run Greenway Trail is closed in two Joliet locations for construction projects. The path is closed from Paul V. Nichols Access on Essington Road to Theodore Street and also at Olympic Boulevard. 

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• Selfies showing people participating in the Take It Outside challenge.

  Take It Outside challenge draws participants from as far away as Florida and Ireland

  5/17/2024

  While the bulk of Take It Outside challenge participants are from Will County, many are crossing county lines to take part in this popular program. 

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• A group of people in kayaks on a river.

  Go with the flow, sign up for a paddling program today

  5/13/2024

  The Forest Preserve District offers a wide variety of paddling programs each summer for varying ability levels and at many locations throughout Will County. Take a Kayak Kollege program to learn how to paddle or sign up for a non-instructional program to cruise a lake or river. 

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• An award plaque taken outside with a clear blue sky background.

  Take It Outside Challenge wins Outstanding Environmental Education Program Award

  5/10/2024

  The Take It Outside Challenge has received an Outstanding Environmental Education Program Award from the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association's Forest Preserve and Conservation Section. The 2023 challenge drew 1,2000 participants in its inaugural year. 

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• Two women pose with an award

  New Lenox woman named 2023 Volunteer of the Year

  5/8/2024

  Sally Wieclaw of New Lenox is the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Volunteer of the Year. Wieclaw started volunteering in 2001 to reduce stress in her life. Now she is an integral part of the District's work to protect plants, monitor butterflies and remove invasive species. 

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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

  5/3/2024

  The 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 line of cyclists travel on a crushed limestone trail.

  Pump your brakes on the trails to improve safety for all

  4/29/2024

  Use proper trail etiquette to avoid injuries on Forest Preserve trails this year. The paths are multi-use, which means everyone has to share the space. 

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