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‘Raising Riverview’ Exhibit Explores Will County’s Farm Roots
The new exhibit that opened Friday, March 1, at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville will take visitors back in time to Will County’s agricultural roots and early Wheatland Township settlers. The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s “Raising Riverview” Riverview Farmstead Exhibit runs through Friday, May 31. “This exhibit highlights one of our…
Forest Preserve Programs Feature Campfire Songs, Bird Hikes, Wildflower Walks
Here are the Forest Preserve District of Will County programs for the week of March 4. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Campfire Sing-along and Hike, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, March 8, Messenger Woods Nature Preserve, Homer Glen: Explore the sights and sounds of Messenger Woods at night, while hiking along…
Check Out Forest Preserve’s Mammal Madness for Hair-Raising Adventure
How much do you know about your fellow mammals, especially those that might be out and about while you’re snuggled in bed and snoozing? Probably not as much as you think, and that’s why the Forest Preserve District of Will County is beefing-up this year’s Mammal Madness event at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in…
Go on a Spring Break Safari or Cruise the County with March Forest Preserve Programs
Here are the Forest Preserve District of Will County programs for the week of February 26. Register online on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Spring Break Safari, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesdays-Saturdays, plus from noon-4 p.m. on Sundays, March 1-April 30, Plum Creek Nature Center, Crete Township: You won’t need to travel far for a…
Nature Foundation Kicks-Off 2024 with New Leader, New Garden Tour Event
The Nature Foundation of Will County is starting 2024 with a new leader, a new garden tour event, and a schedule packed with plant sales and online seminars. Tara Neff, of Joliet, has taken over as Foundation Executive Director, succeeding Cindy Harn, who will remain on with the organization in charge of native plant sales…
Registration Deadline for Forest Preserve’s Beekeeping Workshop is February 14
If you’ve always yearned to be a beekeeper, sign up for the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Introduction to Successful Beekeeping Workshop. “With the cold and snow outside, people may not be thinking about spring just yet,” said Bob Bryerton, a Forest Preserve program manager at Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township. “However,…
Forest Preserve Programs Feature Woodchucks, Trees, Games
Here are the Forest Preserve District of Will County programs for the week of February 12. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Nature Play Day After Hours – Happy Birthday Willy the Woodchuck, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, Plum Creek Nature Center, Crete Township: This nature-themed program for…
Hidden Oaks Nature Center to Close for Renovation
Closure begins February 19 and will last for most of 2024. Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook is about to be transformed, but the process will require the facility to be closed for most of the year beginning Monday, February 19. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but promise it will be an…
Forest Preserve Earns Chicago Wilderness Award for Sand Ridge Savanna Restoration Efforts
Extensive, multiyear restoration efforts at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve have been acknowledged with an “Excellence in Ecological Restoration” award from the Chicago Wilderness Alliance. The district received the award on January 17 at a “Celebration of Conservation” banquet at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. The award provides…
Love and Football in the Air at Forest Preserve District
Here are the Forest Preserve District of Will County programs for the week of February 5. Online program registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Winter Sowing for Monarchs, from 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 8, Plum Creek Nature Center: Learn the importance of the monarch butterfly and the ins-and-outs of winter seed sowing.…
Forest Preserve’s Site Hosts February 3 Wedding Open House
When Bailey Testerman was first scouting out wedding venues, the bride-to-be said she was looking for a site that was as “green” as possible. “The health of our planet is incredibly important to me…,” she said. “I wanted to reduce the environmental impact of our wedding as much as possible. Choosing an environmentally conscious venue…
Forest Preserve’s 2024 Take It Outside Challenge Debuts with a Twist
If you loved the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Take It Outside Challenge in 2023 or wish you had joined, a new version of the popular program launched on January 21. Last year’s yearlong challenge drew more than 1,200 participants, who completed approximately 115,000 nature-themed missions, ranging from GPS check-ins at various locations, photos…
From Soup to Nuthatches, Forest Preserve Offers Wide Range of Programs
Here are the Forest Preserve District of Will County programs for the week of January 29. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org. Birding in the Preserves, Zoom Webinar, from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, February 1: Learn birds and birding from home on this free and all ages virtual hike through a forest…
Hundreds Participate in Forest Preserve’s Take It Outside Challenge
The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s inaugural Take It Outside Challenge ended on December 31, with multiple participants in a tie for first place. Winners completed all 501 nature-themed missions throughout the year by using the free Goosechase app to earn 13,086 points and wind up at the top of the leader board. Missions…
Parker Takes Over as Forest Preserve Board President
Annette Parker of Crest Hill took over in December as president of the Board of Commissioners for the Forest Preserve District of Will County. She will serve a one-year term and succeeds Meta Mueller of Aurora. During a board reorganization meeting in December 2022, it was decided by board commissioners that Parker and Mueller would…
Forest Preserve Cancels January 13 Eagle Watch Due to Winter Storm
The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Eagle Watch event scheduled for Saturday, January 13, at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, has been canceled due to the winter storm, and it will not be rescheduled. Because this is prime bald eagle viewing season, however, visitors are invited to stop by Four Rivers next…
Winter Storm Causes Forest Preserve Closures
Forest Preserve District of Will County visitor centers will be closed to the public on Friday, January 12, due to the winter storm. Preserves also are closed and will open if operations crews can clear the parking lots and entrance roads of snow and police determine the preserves are safe for visitors. Updates will be…
