Preserved for You
Whether you're hiking through the woods, picnicking in a scenic grove, or fishing along a peaceful shoreline, the Forest Preserve District's 26,000 acres of open spaces provide countless ways to connect to nature close to home.
The forest preserves also contribute to cleaner air and water and help with flood control, benefits we can all gain whether we’re frequent visitors or not. Forest preserves hold rainwater, allowing it to slowly soak into roots and seep into soils that filter out chemicals before they can reach waterways or underground aquifers. Plants absorb pollutants like carbon dioxide and particulate matter through tiny openings in their leaves and use them as nutrients or store them in their tissues.
Of course these open spaces are also vital to native wildlife. It’s a top reason why the Forest Preserve District works throughout the year to improve and maintain the county’s high-quality woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and waterways.
And all these open spaces are preserved for you!
20+ years of restoration at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve
Decades of habitat restoration have transformed this agricultural field into a thriving ecosystem.
Planting Native Trees at Fullersburg Woods
After months of removing invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle, we're excited to begin planting sycamores, tulip trees, red buds, and oaks at Fullersburg Woods.
Preserving Your Waterways by Building Riffles
District crews place boulders in Salt Creek to create riffles to enhance habitat for fish, mussels, and other aquatic life.
What is Electrofishing? Monitoring Fish Populations
Dive into the world of electrofishing, a crucial tool used to assess ecological health in DuPage County's water bodies.
A Closer Look at Fullersburg Woods Restoration
This past winter, the Forest Preserve District cleared invasive species like honeysuckle, buckthorn. This marks the beginning of a long-term effort by the Forest Preserve District to rejuvenate Fullersburg Woods into a thriving ecosystem.
Protecting Endangered Species in DuPage County
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is working to protect endangered species like the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly and Blanding's Turtle through head start programs and habitat restoration.
Protecting the West Branch From Zebra Mussels
In 2020, an innovative zebra mussel filter was installed at Deep Quarry Lake to prevent Zebra Mussels from spreading into the West Branch of the DuPage River.
Woodland and Wetland Restoration at Egermann Woods
This 100-acre site, once overrun by invasive species like honeysuckle and buckthorn, is now flourishing with native plants and shrubs. Learn how sunlight and proper hydration have transformed this area into a thriving habitat for local wildlife.
Releasing Endangered Hine's Emerald Dragonflies
Historically, the Hine's emerald dragonfly was found in seven states, but today can only be seen in four. By maintaining high quality natural areas, we're able to give a variety of species habitats to call home in DuPage.
From Golf Fairway to Oak Woodland
Hickory Grove Forest Preserve, once a golf fairway, is now a thriving oak woodland. Discover how the natural restoration process, aided by careful management, has allowed a majestic oak tree to pass on its legacy to a new generation.
Bluebird Monitoring in the DuPage Forest Preserves
Eastern bluebirds are easily spotted in the forest preserves these days, but in the mid-1900s their numbers were in decline. Our bluebird monitoring program has helped preserve this species in DuPage.
Collecting Data on Salt Creek
The removal of a dam has allowed salt creek to resume its natural flow, so it's important to collect data to help refine and enhance the project's design. See firsthand how science and nature come together to restore our waterways.
Collecting Wild Geranium Seed
District crews are collecting native plant seeds to use in restoration projects across DuPage County!
Rescuing an Injured Coyote
A daring rescue, four months in the making, has a happy ending thanks to help from District employees.
Preserving Habitat With Decaying Trees
Fallen oak trees are vital habitats for wildlife and contribute to a healthy, diverse ecosystem by enriching the soil and supporting new plant growth.
First Blanding's Turtle Release of 2024
Recently, the very first batch of Blanding's turtles for the season was released into the wild. What makes this group especially unique is that they were raised by our amazing volunteers!