Forest Preserve District of Will County

08/27/2026

Move over, cardinals. Our state bird isn't the only red bird in town. If you spot a red bird that isn't a cardinal, it's likely a scarlet tanager you are seeing.

Scarlet tanagers are beautiful birds with a striking red color, but they prefer life in the treetops, making them difficult for us to see for ourselves.

08/26/2026

Do you love nature? Do you love taking nature photos? Then enter our 2026 Preserve the Moment Photo Contest, where a winner will be chosen every month and advance to a final round of voting for a shot at earning photo of the year honors. Entries also will be considered for inclusion in the District's 2027 calendar.

Just be sure to enter by Monday, Aug. 31 if you want to be in the running for the August portion.

Get the details and enter here: https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/event-calendar/preserve-the-moment-photo-contest-2026

08/26/2026

How did the red admiral butterfly get its name?

08/26/2026

Wildlife-friendly asphalt and low-growing native plants will help keep animals safer along Theodore Marsh’s newly paved loop trail.

New approach reduces mowing and gives reptiles better traction.

08/25/2026

Today's cool 360-degree view comes to us from Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook. This is a great spot to cast a line, take in the scenery, as well as extend your journey to Whalon Lake via the DuPage River Trail.

(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

08/25/2026

Were you hoping to do some kayaking his summer but haven't made the time to do so? Don't worry, we're here to help with a number of kayaking programs through September. These generally fill up, so be sure to register today. Get the full list here: https://bit.ly/3St9g44.

08/24/2026

What's long and skinny and likes to camouflage itself in plants and trees? In the insect world, there's more than one answer to this riddle, with both praying mantises and walking sticks fitting the description.

Praying mantis or walking stick? Learn some of the key differences between these well-camouflaged insects.

08/24/2026

What a fantastic weather weekend we just had! It's no surprise people were out and about taking advantage — and so was the wildlife. Here's a sampling of the wildlife photos shared on our Will County Wildlife Facebook group from over the weekend. What did you see while you were out in the preserves ?

08/24/2026

There’s no wrong time of year to visit the Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve and Plum Creek Nature Center, and financial support The Nature Foundation of Will County provides helps enhance this year-round destination where visitors of all ages can have meaningful nature experiences throughout every season.

There’s no wrong time of year to visit the Forest Preserve District’s Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve and Plum Creek Nature Center, and The Nature Foundation of Will County is proud to support this year-round destination where visitors of all ages can have meaningful nature experiences throughout...

08/23/2026

With a name like "earwig," it might make you think these insects like to crawl into humans' ears. Their name, which means "ear creature," does come from the idea that earwigs crawl into people's ears while they are sleeping. Luckily, though, there's no truth to that old superstition.

Earwigs may look menacing, but they are completely harmless to humans. And they don't want to crawl into your ears either.