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Board members pose with a large check.
Nature Foundation’s $48,800 donation funds Forest Preserve’s conservation, education efforts
2/18/2025The Nature Foundation of Will County's latest donation to the Forest Preserve District helped fund conservation efforts at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, bus scholarships for field trips and the Smokey Bear painting exhibition on display at Forest Preserve visitors centers through March 2.
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A dead bird frozen in ice and snow.
Avoid sick or dead wildlife due to avian flu risk
2/3/2025Due to the detection of avian flu in Illinois, the Forest Preserve District is reminding visitors to refrain from touching or getting near dead or sick animals. Pets also should be kept from carcasses or feces and feathers of animals.
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Aerial view of snowy trail with logo
Get outdoors and win prizes: Be a Trailblazer in 2025!
1/14/2025The Forest Preserve District has a new challenge for the new year: Be a Trailblazer! More than $10,000 in prizes will be awarded randomly to lucky participants as they complete a wide variety of nature-themed missions in four seasonal sessions.
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Plum Creek Greenway Trail section closed due to bridge damage
1/2/2025A section of the Plum Creek Greenway Trail is closed due to bridge damage to the trail's north bridge closest to Bemes Road. This trail section will remain closed until the tree can be removed and the bridge repaired.
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A man pours seed into a mixer.
Winter seed mixing work sows prairies of tomorrow
1/2/2025A year of seed collection by staff and volunteers culminated with a seed mixing day at a Forest Preserve barn in December. The seed will be sown this winter in areas targeted for restoration, leading to blooms and better species diversity next year in the preserves.
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Destinee Ortiz (left) and Judy Ogalla (right)
Forest Preserve Board reorganizes, elects new officers
12/23/2024The Forest Preserve District's Board reorganized on Dec. 19 and elected officers for the next two years. Destinee Ortiz of Romeoville was selected as president for the first year of a two-year term, and Judy Ogalla of Monee will serve as president for the second year of the term.
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A woman holds a captive bald eagle.
Mark your calendar for exciting 2025 events
12/17/2024The Forest Preserve District's 2025 calendar is chock full of exciting events and exhibitions ranging from Eagle Watch and a Smokey Bear art exhibition in January to Pelican Party and Woods Walk in the fall.
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Thorn Creek bridge closed due to safety concerns
12/11/2024The bridge over Thorn Creek has been closed at Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve due to structural safety concerns. The bridge closure has affected the trail system and only the Thorn Creek Nature Center Loop Trail will be open for public use until further notice.
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Bald eagle soaring through the air.
Are you seeing bald eagles in the preserves? Give them some space
12/8/2024If you go eagle watching this year, remember to keep your distance so as not to disturb these amazing creatures. If a bird is reacting to you, then you are too close.
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A man and woman stand on a sidewalk in a forest preserve.
Healing With Nature: Crete man battling cancer finds health and hope on paths at Goodenow Grove
11/21/2024Tom Scott of Crete is giving thanks this year for the people in his life who pushed him to start walking at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve as he was recovering from cancer. The daily hikes have given him better health, hope for the future and a new appreciation of nature.
Events
WonderKids: Less Is More!
Bring your little ones to Isle a la Cache Museum for WonderKids.
Lunch and Learn: Planting Natives in the Spring (Zoom webinar)
It’s almost time for spring planting, so spend the lunch hour learning which plants are best to plant in the spring for a summer full of color and life.
The Buzz
Avoid the heartbreak: Check your yard for rabbit nests before mowing
Before you cut your grass, it's a good idea to give your yard a once-over to look for rabbit nests. These nests often look just like a small patch of dead grass, but the babies are just under the surface, leaving them vulnerable to lawnmowers.