Catching Nature

November 15, 2018

How Nature Helped One Woman Find Herself

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Katherine HowardNature Whisperer

I grew up in Idaho and Alaska, so nature has always been up close and personal for me. My favorite childhood memories are entwined with...

November 8, 2018

Kline Creek Farm Volunteer Brings History to Life

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Linda Frey loves history, so it’s no surprise to find her volunteering at our 1890s living history farm, Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. 

October 26, 2018

Greene Valley Hawkwatch Group a Dedicated Flock

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

They argue with each other, have spirited debates and freeze their tails off, but they keep coming back for more.

October 18, 2018

Girl Power Conquers 60+ Forest Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Julie NelsonNaperville Mom and nature lover

My daughters — Olivia, 16 and Hannah, 14 — were about halfway through summer, and I felt we were in a rut. It seemed like each day they...

October 2, 2018

Man Creates Masterpiece at Mayslake

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Not many people can claim kinship with a piece of land, but Mayslake steward Conrad Fialkowski may be one of those people. He has been working tirelessly for more than 30 years to...

September 26, 2018

Woman Finds Way to Connect with, Help Wildlife at Willowbrook

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Vanessa Gallt always wanted to work with animals, and she found the perfect outlet as an animal care volunteer at the District’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. She...

August 28, 2018

Man Follows Passion for Nature into Forest Preserves

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Larry BrousilVolunteer, outdoor enthusiast

I'm a project manager for Allstate and pretty much sit at my desk most of the day, so I try to get outdoors as much as possible. My...

August 22, 2018

Volunteer Shares History of St. James Farm

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Kathy Isoda was drawn to St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville because it was an opportunity to be part of a new forest preserve, and she loved its equestrian roots.

August 8, 2018

Catching Nature Through Volunteer Work

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Bob Young has found the perfect outlet for his two passions: being outdoors and on the water. He serves as a volunteer zebra mussel monitor and volunteer ranger for the Forest...

July 16, 2018

Volunteer Finds Happiness Monitoring Bluebirds

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Helen Metanchuk rummages through the trunk of her car as she dons her vest, binoculars, tools and notebook and pen and sets out to check the 12 bluebird nest boxes on her route at