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Man holding camera along the DuPage River
Mike Nagrocki's 'Happy Place': A backyard escape teeming with wildlife
12/14/2020Read moreIn the five years he has lived across from the Hastert-Bechstein preserve, Nagrocki has been transformed into a wildlife photographer and a bird and wildlife watcher, something he says has helped him to escape everyday life and to appreciate and learn about nature to a higher degree.
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Pollinator hotel at Isle a la Cache
Pollinator hotels abuzz with guests thanks to Eagle Scout candidate
9/22/2020Read moreThree hotels built by 14-year-old Luke Lunde of Manhattan and his Scouting crew at Isle a la Cache preserve in Romeoville are attracting solitary bees that nest in cavities and are important pollinators.
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Cyclists on a bike trail at Whalon Lake
Don't Be a Jerk: Announcing 'on your left' as you pass slower trail traffic is the right thing to do
8/11/2020Read moreWith more and more bicyclists taking to the trails during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's imperative that everyone learn proper trail etiquette; announce your intent to pass, pass on the left and stay to the right when not passing.
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Dead bird hanging from a branch
Here We Go Again: Another Bird Killed by Fishing Line in the Preserves
7/21/2020Read moreIt's becoming an all too common occurrence that shouldn't happen at all in the preserves or elsewhere, seeing dead birds hanging from trees after getting tangled up in fishing line.
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Dead robin hanging from fishing line
Fishing line killed this robin at Monee Reservoir; it shouldn't have
5/20/2020Read moreIt's a scene that plays out too often in the preserves: animals found dead or injured because they became trapped in fishing line.
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Man on a trail with his bike
Earin Land’s 'Happy Place': Melting Away the Pounds and the Past on the Wauponsee
12/10/2019Read moreThe latest installment of the Forest Preserve District's "Happy Place" series features a retired Will County Sheriff's Police sergeant who made riding a bike on the Wauponsee Glacial Trail a key part of his retirement plan.
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Man holding flies in a jar
Forest Preserve serves as forensic entomology classroom for law enforcement
9/30/2019Read moreThe two-day forensic entomology workshop provided area law enforcement with instructions on using insects in death investigations.
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Woman on a trail with her camera
Debi Shapiro’s ‘Happy Place’ – making memories with her mom at Rock Run Rookery Preserve
9/24/2019Read moreRock Run Rookery Preserve was one of Shapiro's favorite places to take her ill mother so she could get out of the house and enjoy nature.
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Woman holding a monarch butterfly
For Barb Ferry, raising monarchs is more than a hobby
8/9/2019Read moreBarb Ferry has been raising monarch butterflies at home and releasing them into the wild, with the ultimate goals of helping sustain their population and educating the public of their importance.
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Cyclist on a the Old Plank Road Trail
Greg Duffner’s Happy Place: Commuting on the Old Plank Road Trail is ‘good for the soul'
4/10/2019Read moreIn the past four years alone, Greg Duffner has racked up more than 19,000 miles on his bike commuting to work and riding in charity events around the country.
Events
Turtle Tuesday
Meet some of our ambassador Blanding's turtles up close and learn the story of their journey as an endangered species.
Little Explorers: Reptiles
Bring your children to Four Rivers to learn all about turtles.
The Buzz
Quiz: Test your hummingbird braininess
While these bright and beautiful birds can be seen in our area, learn more about these miniature but mighty marvels.
Nature curiosity: How do flies find garbage and other stinky things?
How do flies find garbage and other sources of stink so fast? They rely on their antennae to help them hone in.