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DuPage Forest Blog

Read the latest blog story from the Forest Preserve District, and connect to nature in DuPage.

July 22, 2020

Attracting Swallowtails to Your Garden

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Swallowtail butterflies are some of the largest, showiest butterflies found in Illinois. A visit from one in your garden is always a welcome delight.

July 22, 2020

Where the Native Wild Things Are

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Somewhere, in a relatively small section of Blackwell Forest Preserve nestled along Mack Road, lies a special place where native plants grow.

July 15, 2020

Show Some Loving for Opossums

Jennifer Rydzewski

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) probably won’t win any popularity contests based on its looks.

July 8, 2020

Do Only Female Mosquitoes Bite?

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Many people are surprised to learn that only female mosquitos bite animals and humans.

July 1, 2020

Spawning Time for Sunfish

Keriann Dubina

Much like birds, sunfish like bluegill and bass are busy building nests in DuPage forest lakes in preparation for their growing families.

June 24, 2020

A Big Day

Glenn Perricone

Many DuPage County birdwatchers participate in a “Birding Big Day,” where they try to observe as many species of birds as possible in one day within a determined geographical...

June 17, 2020

The Power of Pollinators

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

“Nature is to be found in her entirety nowhere more than in her smallest creatures.”~ Pliny the Elder

June 15, 2020

Celebrate the Summer Solstice

Dave Andrusyk

If you want to make the most of your time in DuPage forest preserves, mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

June 1, 2020

Danada Welcomes a Foal

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Danada Equestrian Center welcomed a foal on Monday, May 25 at 5:45 a.m.

May 14, 2020

Smoothing the Way for Smooth Green Snakes

Dan Thompson

Meet the smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis), a brilliant green, relatively small non-venomous snake that we’d like to see more of in DuPage County.

May 8, 2020

Can't You Take Just One More? No, and Here's Why

Stephanie Touzalin

Every facility that cares for animals has to make tough decisions all the time: What type of animals should they treat? How many? Do they have the staff and skill to treat them?...

May 4, 2020

Best Wildlife Moms

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

There are so many things that make moms special — they go the extra mile for their kids, know just what they need, and are fierce protectors of their wee ones.

April 30, 2020

Where the Native Plants Grow

Jennifer Rydzewski

Planting native plants in our yards and gardens is gaining popularity for good reasons.

April 17, 2020

Best Native Shrubs for Your Yard

Keriann Dubina

With winter slowly fading and signs of spring arriving daily, gardeners are getting the itch.

April 9, 2020

Slow Down on Spring Cleaning in Your Garden

Keriann Dubina

With the recent warm weather and native plants starting to emerge from their winter slumber, folks may be eager to do some spring cleaning in their gardens.

April 1, 2020

When Waterfowl Run Afoul with Nests

Leigh Korreck

Every spring and summer, Willowbrook Wildlife Center admits hundreds of orphaned young birds. We give as much care as is humanly possible, but the best parent for a bird is always...

March 27, 2020

DuPage Forest Preserve District's Wonder Women

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to tip our hat to the women who work at the DuPage Forest Preserve District.

March 24, 2020

Willowbrook Staff Reunite Owl Family

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

A great horned owlet was reunited with its family in a North Aurora tree after it fell out of its nest.

March 18, 2020

Restoring a Creek's Meander

Scott Meister

For many years, Spring Brook — as it flows through Blackwell Forest Preserve — has been channelized. That is, water flowed within a straight, narrow channel, which led to erosion...

March 17, 2020

Turning to Nature in a Time of Turmoil

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Many of us are staying in our homes as the COVID-19 global pandemic has led to quarantines, closures and social distancing.

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