Take It Outside
We want you to Take It Outside
again this fall!
There’s a great, big world out there, and the forest preserves are the perfect place to start exploring it. Whether you are looking for an active or leisurely pursuit, you’ll find your happy place in the preserves. Whatever you do, make sure to make time to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature.
Need a little motivation? Go on a wild goose chase through our interactive challenge. Be sure to read the rules so you don't disqualify yourself from winning any of our incredible prizes, including gift cards and prize packs.
There is one remaining seasonal challenges for the year:
- Fall Frolic: Sunday, Oct. 6, through Saturday, Dec. 14 (join code ED7MGP)
Six share top prize after Summer Soiree
Hundreds participated, and after all was said and done, six participants finished the summer Take It Outside challenge tied for first place.
Final hike of the year will be at Lake Renwick
Join us for a guided hike at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Preserve as the Fall Frolic winds down, completing some missions along the way.
We want to see you at our meetup events
Want to meet other Goosechasers and do some missions together? Attend our fall Take It Outside meetups on Oct. 23 at Hammel Woods and Nov. 17 at Forked Creek Preserve.
Sign up for a fall program today
The Forest Preserve hosts hundreds of programs and events each year, from guided hikes to recreation explorations to celebrations for our favorite critters. See what interests you.
Take It Outside merch on sale now
Want to show your support for our Take It Outside campaign? We've got T-shirts, hats and mugs that will show off your love of this challenge.
There's more to fall than you think
Fall is in full swing, so while you are out there take note of the little and big changes happening in the great outdoors as the season progresses.
The wonders of Will County await you
What seems like an ordinary landscape to most of us includes some of the rarest natural communities in the world. Get out there and explore.
Love a good sunset? Visit these preserves
Fall is among the best times of the year for catching a spectacular sunset, and some of the preserves are great places to watch the sun slip below the horizon.
Hickory Creek Preserve: So much to explore
Our largest preserve won’t disappoint if you make time for a fall visit. Early in the season you can still enjoy the green tree canopy above and pops of color in the prairies. By mid-October the color show really gets going, and every trip can be a different experience. Hickory Creek is our largest preserve — 1,541 acres — and has three access points and more than 7 miles of trails for hiking, biking and exploring.
Hadley Valley: Stretch your legs in the prairie
A visit to Hadley Valley will allow you to experience the landscape as people might have hundreds of years ago, when prairies dominated the area. The preserve is the site of an award-winning restoration project that aimed to transform the land to what it once was.
Forked Creek: Find the tranquility in nature
Forked Creek is tucked away in southern Will County, offering a perfect spot to enjoy the quiet of nature as you explore. In the fall, you can see the leaves change and prairies fade from the preserve’s three access areas. You can also access the Wauponsee Glacial Trail from the Ballou Road Access.
Funding for this campaign is provided by The Nature Foundation of Will County. Additional prizes are furnished by Wild Birds Unlimited in Joliet and Crumbl Cookies in Mokena.(Opens in a new window).