Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

10/23/2026

Let’s give a high-five to this amazing group of Forest Preserve District of DuPage County volunteers! THANK YOU for keeping our DuPage forest preserves beautiful by putting litter in its place — the trash can!

10/09/2026

We’re giving a special shoutout to the fantastic pop-up volunteers who collected native seeds from bergamot, Culver's root, yellow coneflower, prairie dropseed, side-oats grama, and little bluestem today from the surrounding landscape at the Forest Preserve District’s headquarters at Danada. The seeds will be stored over the winter at the native plant nursery, stratified, and then scattered across prairies to diversify our forest preserves. Thank you, volunteers! 💚

09/17/2026

What's your favorite outdoor (or indoor) adventure? Whatever your preferred pastime or interest to try something new, we have it for you!

Our silent auction has special Forest Preserve District experiences to get outdoors in nature or stay in for something more culturally inclined, including:

• Behind-the-Scenes Tour at DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center (item 11)
• Behind-the-Scenes Tour at Mayslake Hall (item 12)
• Guided Hike at Fullersburg Woods (item 22)
• Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride at Danada (item 27)
• No Rush Brush at Danada (item 39) Popcorn in the Farmhouse Kitchen (item 43)
• Pretzel Making at Kline Creek Farm (item 46)
• Preview and Play the New Maple Meadows Golf Preserve (item 47)
• Tea Party in Nature (item 50)
• Tractor-Drawn Wagon Ride (at St. James Farm item 54)

To register to participate (free), visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/nightfornature2026/.

Click "Register" to set up an account and provide your name, credit card, and billing information.

Our silent auction ends tonight at 7:45 p.m.! Your auction participation or gift will help to protect wildlife and restore wil areas in DuPage forest preserves.

09/16/2026

People. Places. Things.

People. Places. Things!

From a Forest Preserve District steward-led bird walk, a meetup with a bird expert at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, or an *original* colored pencil illustration of an ovenbird, these items and more could be yours when you participate in A Night for Nature silent auction!

To register to participate (free), visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/nightfornature2026/.

Click "Register" to set up an account and provide your name, credit card, and billing information.

Your auction participation or gift will help to protect wildlife and restore wild areas in DuPage forest preserves. 💚🦉🌳

09/15/2026

It's a day in the life of a ranger. A Forest Preserve District of DuPage County ranger, that is.

If you’ve ever wanted to shadow a ranger to see just what this special guardian of DuPage forest preserves does to care for natural resources, amenities, and visitors, now is the chance!

Our silent auction has just the experiences that will light your fire (and appreciation!) for our rangers and all they accomplish each and every day on the job, including conservation, fire management, and visitor education and services.

Show your support of the rangers and the wild areas they care for when you bid on one or all five experiences:

• Archery Games (item 9)
• Fishing with a Ranger (item 19)
• Hike with a Ranger After Dark (item 26)
• Kayaking with a Ranger (item 32)
• Prescribed Burn Observation with a Ranger (item 44)

To register to participate, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/nightfornature2026/.

Click "Register" to set up an account and provide your name, credit card, and billing information. The auction closes on Sept. 17 promptly at 7: 45 p.m., so bid high and often!

09/14/2026

Sure, you've seen these two Forest Preserve District of DuPage County ecologists (and superstars) on social media. But have you ever met them in person?

Now is your opportunity! We have two Forest Preserve District experiences up for your consideration in our silent auction!

Go electrofishing (item 21) with an ecologist to catch, weigh, measure, and record a variety of fish species at one of our preserve lakes. Learn about species diversity in forest preserve lakes and why the District stocks game fish for recreation.

Or tour the Urban Research Center to learn about how ecologists are raising and releasing imperiled freshwater mussels. You can even help to tag them (item 20)! Now that's a unique experience, and a great way to discover the world of aquatic science.

These two experiences could be yours! (And you can bid from home, too.)

To register to participate, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/nightfornature2026/.

Click "Register" to set up an account and provide your name, credit card, and billing information. Happy bidding!

09/12/2026

A Night for Nature silent auction is now open! And new this year, we are offering travel packages — each with something adventurous! Whether you want to skip town for a glamping weekend or head west to explore a national park, these trips (with concierge service!) will offer opportunities to connect to nature at exciting destinations.

Bid on one or all three trips, including:

• Glamping by the Great Lakes
• Napa Valley Wine-Tasting Escape
• Geysers, Wildlife, and Western Charm at Yellowstone and Tetons

Bid now. Bid often. Bid high to support wildlife rehabilitation, species recovery, and the restoration of critical habitats in prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. (Plus, get an amazing trip!)

To view the auction and register (to attend A Night for Nature in person or participate at home), visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/nightfornature2026/.

09/02/2026

08/17/2026

The Friends of the Forest Preserve District raises funds to support the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s master plan, restore habitat, and protect native plants and animals. Our donors and community partners are supporters who help to make an impact for nature in DuPage.

This National Nonprofit Day, we ask our fellow tree huggers to join us as ambassadors for the forest preserves, plants, and animals that we all love. Whether you make a donation to the greatest needs, join us at a special event or program, or even spread the word about our philanthropic work, you will help us to continue to fulfill our mission.

To learn more about the Friends or donate, visit dupageforest.org/friends.

08/14/2026

Earlier this week, we celebrated the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's volunteers and conservation allies who serve across a variety of programs at the education centers and forest preserves. Together — volunteers, allies, staff, commissioners, and nonprofit board members — we make an amazing team who work to conserve natural areas, protect native plants and animals, and connect people to nature at the forest preserves.

We are grateful to our volunteers’ and allies’ combined dedication, knowledge, and time to serve the community. THANK YOU, volunteers and conservation allies, and CONGRATULATIONS to this year's awardees for your exemplary service to the organization! 💚