The Nature Foundation of Will County

06/18/2026

The Forest Preserve District’s Be a Trailblazer program is back for the summer! We’re proud to support a program that connects you with Will County’s incredible preserves to discover wildlife and experience all the natural beauty these open spaces have to offer. It’s a great way to keep kids active, engaged and learning while they’re on summer break. Get outside, start your adventure and see where the trails take you >>> https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/be-a-trailblazer-campaign

06/11/2026

Butterfly w**d is one of the most valuable native plants for pollinators, and it's in bloom right now! Its bright orange flowers attract butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects throughout the summer. As a native milkw**d species, butterfly w**d provides an important nectar source for adult monarch butterflies and serves as a host plant for monarch caterpillars. It is also drought tolerant, low maintenance and well suited to sunny gardens and natural areas.
Planting native species like butterfly w**d helps support pollinators, increase biodiversity and strengthen local ecosystems.

06/10/2026

Need native plants? Shop a wide selection of pollinator-friendly native plants at our Native Plant Sale during Pollinator Party on June 13 at Isle a la Cache Preserve. Experts will be on hand to help you choose the right plants for your yard, garden or restoration project. Plants are $4 per plug while supplies last. Afterward, explore the museum and enjoy a variety of pollinator-themed activities, exhibits and family-friendly fun!

06/05/2026

Save the date! Visit beautiful Isle a la Cache Preserve in Romeoville during the Pollinator Party on June 13 and shop a wide selection of native plants perfect for supporting bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Experts will be on hand to help you select plants and answer questions.

Plants are $4 per plug and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. No online sale is scheduled.

All proceeds benefit The Nature Foundation of Will County.

6/13/2026: Visit beautiful Isle a la Cache Preserve during the Pollinator Party celebration and shop a wide selection of native plants perfect for the pollinators in your life!

06/02/2026

Thanks to our volunteers, the Forest Preserve expanded habitat restoration efforts and connected more people with nature in 2025. Volunteers contributed more than 12,750 hours of service, and through our Restore Will County program, we have awarded nearly $30,000 in grants to volunteer site stewards since 2017.

In 2025, volunteers donated more than 12,750 hours of service to the Forest Preserve, allowing the District to expand its habitat restoration efforts and connect with more people through educational and recreational programs and events.

05/28/2026

Wild columbine is blooming across the preserves right now and it is one of Illinois’ most beautiful native wildflowers.

These red-and-yellow blooms are more than just eye-catching. Wild columbine provides an important early food source for hummingbirds, native bees and butterflies.

This native plant thrives along woodland edges, in shaded gardens and throughout natural landscapes, making it an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly yards.

(Photos by Glenn P. Knoblock)

05/20/2026

Take a look at how we’re investing in nature this quarter! Using gifts from our year-end campaign, business sponsorships, philanthropic organizations and corporate volunteerism, we’re supporting the Forest Preserve District’s priorities that protect nature, inspire discovery and bring people and nature together.

The Nature Foundation of Will County's most recent donation to the Forest Preserve District totaled $55,545. The funding will be used to support Forest Preserve District programs, restoration projects, exhibits and visitor amenities.

05/12/2026

Check out this beauty! Wild blue lupine is putting on an incredible show right now at Kankakee Sands Preserve. Beyond its striking blooms, this native plant plays an essential ecological role as the only host plant for the endangered Karner blue butterfly caterpillar.

While Karner blue butterflies are still rare in Will County, the Forest Preserve District protects and restores the habitat these delicate pollinators need to someday expand and thrive. It’s also important to note that Karner blues rely on the native species of wild blue lupine – Lupinus perennis – not other common or ornamental lupine cultivars commonly sold in garden stores.

Native lupine also supports a wide variety of bees, butterflies and other wildlife that depend on healthy prairie and savanna ecosystems.

(Photos by Judith Wallace)

05/08/2026

Need a little incentive to get outside? Take a look at the Forest Preserve District’s Preserve the Moment winner for April! One of the contest judges commented, “the sunlight shining through the numerous trees while illuminating and revealing the different shades of bluebells. It was an incredible shot, and it encapsulates how different colors can bring a photo together.” We are proud to support this photo contest!

Michelle Wendling of Joliet captured April’s Preserve the Moment photo contest win with a sunrise scene of Virginia bluebells at O’Hara Woods Preserve. The 'magical' image, enhanced by morning fog and glowing light, impressed judges with its color and atmosphere.