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.

November 23, 2020

Native Plants Connect Man to Nature

John Opila and his wife Gail enjoy exploring DuPage forest preserves on foot or by bicycle. They’re also into native plant landscaping and gardening.

November 5, 2020

Woman Catches Nature Through Photography

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Susan Nix has always had the nature bug. She has wonderful memories of taking her kids for nature walks through the woods.

October 20, 2020

Man Finds True Calling in Nature

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Denis Kania graduated from college with a degree in computer science and worked in applications development for more than 20 years. By then, he had grown tired of the corporate...

October 6, 2020

Couple Visits All DuPage Forest Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Kim and Rick Gieser like to take walks together to decompress from their day. Kim is a district manager for LEGO Brand Retail, in charge of stores in the Midwest & throughout...

September 21, 2020

Woman Shares Her Love of Nature with Others

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Jill Spealman recently retired from 33 years of corporate IT training and 4 years of public school teaching. But she’s not done teaching yet!

September 9, 2020

Man Hikes, Bikes and Photographs Nature

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Ryan Kadolph has trekked countless miles through DuPage forest preserves on his bicycle. But that’s not the only way he enjoys nature and the preserves. He’s also into...

August 26, 2020

Man's Love of Nature Started with Scouting

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Zach Ewoldt first discovered DuPage forest preserves as a Cub Scout, but he’s been surrounded by them his whole life.

August 11, 2020

Woman Finds Refuge in Nature

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Anna TestoneRetired Teacher Turns Birder

I am a retired teacher. I have 2 daughters and 3 amazing grandchildren that I try to inspire to get out in nature. I like to bike, run,...

July 30, 2020

Hobby Photographer Turns Citizen Naturalist

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Meet Dori Wagner Eldridge, a Naperville woman who loves photographing and learning about the world around her. She's also a wife and proud mother to two teenagers — a son in...

July 14, 2020

Man Turns to Nature for Herpetology

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Joey CavataioOld-School Natural Historian

I work as a food scientist, but deep down I’m an old-school natural historian and serious student of herpetology.