Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County improves the quality of life for all DuPage County residents. Its 26,000 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and waterways contribute to cleaner air and water, help with flood control, create vital habitats for wildlife, and provide safe spaces where people can boost their physical and mental health. More than 5.5 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 175 miles of trails, seven education centers, and scores of programs each year.

April 22, 2021

Woman at Home on the Prairie

When Cindy Crosby and her husband first moved to DuPage County in 1998, she was afraid there wouldn’t be much in the way of natural areas in the suburbs. To her delight, she...

April 6, 2021

Volunteer Forges Connection to Nature

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Jim Fousek is a volunteer trades interpreter at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. He has been blacksmithing for a little over 20 years, first with the Lisle Heritage Society and...

March 25, 2021

Woman Finds Peace in Nature

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Rita Guill credits her mother with instilling a love of nature in her. She and her husband, John, are carrying on that tradition with their kids: Nathaniel (18), Aidan (17),...

March 11, 2021

Man Captures Beauty of Nature

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Henry Kim is a lifelong DuPage County resident who has found many ways to connect to nature.

February 23, 2021

Scientist Explores Nature in Detail

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Andrew Hipp enjoys being outside, canoeing, biking and exploring.

February 9, 2021

Woman Cultivates Connection to Nature

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Marian Pezdek has loved gardening ever since she was a little girl planting alongside her mother in her gardens.

January 20, 2021

Photographer Captures Beauty of Nature

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Ian McLeod and his wife moved to DuPage County from Chicago to start a family more than 20 years ago. Now they have two daughters, Emily and Katie, and two golden retrievers,...

January 5, 2021

Woman Cleans, Hikes the Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Paula Wallrich and her husband have lived in DuPage County for 34 years, raising two sons in what she describes as a hockey family.

December 21, 2020

Nature Refreshes Nun's Soul

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

On any given summer day, you might find Fran (short for Francetta) Glowinski chasing damsel- and dragonflies, experimenting with bubbles, and kayaking at Herrick Lake Forest...

December 9, 2020

Nature Helps Couple Transition into Retirement

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Throughout the years, nature and DuPage forest preserves have played an important role in Debby and Tom Gerhardstein’s lives as they raised their family and pursued careers.