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DuPage Forest Blog

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

Health & Well-Being

September 30, 2024

How Mother Nature's Mentor Inspired My Scout Project and Much More

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

In this guest post, Amelia Votava reflects about how Judy Grey, a volunteer steward with the Forest Preserve District, not only helped to mentor her understanding about a...

February 25, 2022

Best Winter Hikes

Sarah Rosenberg

Winter is a great time to go exploring in the DuPage forest preserves.

December 10, 2021

Native Landscaping: Start Planning Now

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

It may be wintertime, but now is the time to start planning your garden for next year. It may not seem like it now, but spring will be here before you know it, making this a great...

December 2, 2021

Preserve Visitor Trends in Pandemic Times

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

A surge in visitors and use of DuPage forest preserves that started during the pandemic is showing no signs of slowing down.

March 25, 2021

Stressed Out? We've Got Just the Thing

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Still recovering from 2020? If you’re like most people, the stress of the pandemic, working from home and e-learning has taken its toll.

November 24, 2020

What Do Bees Do in the Winter?

Charlie Linnell and Duane Marski

One of the more frequent questions we beekeepers are asked is “What do bees do in the winter?”

November 17, 2020

Six Hiking Essentials

Dave Andrusyk

Whether you’re new to hiking or a regular walker on DuPage forest preserve’s 166 miles of trails, there are at least 6 essentials you should bring with you every time you head out...

September 2, 2020

Walking in the Rain

Dave Andrusyk

Have you ever planned a hiking trip at a DuPage forest preserve, only to find out that the sunny nice day you were planning has turned into a grey, rainy day?

August 18, 2020

Five Ways to Relax in DuPage Forest Preserves

Dave Andrusyk

With everything that’s happening in the world, it helps to find ways to take time for ourselves and relax. And it’s good for you!

August 11, 2020

A Decade of Studying the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

Tom Velat

Populations of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly have grown from little more than 100 to 1,000 in the more than 10 years DuPage Forest Preserve District ecologists have been...

August 4, 2020

Get Hooked on Fishing

Keriann Dubina

A lot of people are looking for fun things to do outdoors close to home. If you haven’t already, why not try fishing?

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.

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.

February 20, 2020

Get Healthy With Forest Therapy

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Looking for new ways to improve wellness and promote relaxation this winter? Try forest therapy! Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, forest therapy involves taking...

August 2, 2019

Start Your Day with Yoga on the Lawn

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Yoga. It’s the oldest new thing around these days and for good reason.

May 23, 2019

Protect Yourself from Ticks While Outdoors

Andres Ortega

We need to talk. It’s going to be awkward, it’s a subject we’d all like to avoid, but it’s best for everyone if we just put it out there: ticks are all around you.

March 25, 2019

Keep Kids Learning with Fun Summer Day Camps

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Help your child unplug from video games and connect to nature with our fun outdoor day camps for kids and teens. 

November 16, 2018

Our Top 10 Things to Do to #OptOutside

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Between the Thanksgiving dinner prep and holiday shopping, get outdoors to experience the physical, emotional and spiritual rewards of spending time in nature. Today an...

September 18, 2018

Forest Fave: Willowbrook Butterfly Garden

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

When Willowbrook Wildlife Center site manager Sandy Fejt needs a break from caring for injured native wildlife at the center, she doesn’t have to look far. One of Sandy’s favorite...

June 25, 2018

Get to Know Nature's Nasties

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Ah, summer in DuPage County. Time to get reacquainted with the incredible array of plants and wildlife that call the forest preserves home. Sure, the thought of a few of them...

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