Forest Preserves

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Happy First Day of Spring! 🌷🌱🐣 Goslings at sunset by Kelly Held; Maple Lake Overlook, May 2025

Celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth with us! All March long, join us for inspiring programs and events honoring the remarkable women who shaped history. Discover leaders in conservation, environmental activism and more. Learn more at fpdcc.com/whm.

🚨 Nature center hours update! Starting March 1, Forest Preserves nature centers are open 9am – 5 pm (buildings closed Fridays). Note: Sagawau Environmental Learning Center is open daily, 9am – 4pm. Spring is almost here—plan your visit! 🌱 Updates: fpdcc.com/things-to-do/n…

Celebrate the sweet side of spring this weekend! 🍁 Head to River Trail Nature Center for maple-themed fun, including crafts, games, tree tapping demonstrations, and the history of maple syrup. Sunday, March 15 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Learn more: fpdcc.com/event/maple-sy…

Are you 16–22 and looking for a meaningful summer job? Become a Youth Outdoor Ambassador with @fpdcc. Get paid to learn about local ecology, wildlife, recreation, and conservation careers while connecting people to nature. Apply by March 31: fpdcc.com/about/jobs/

Want to learn more? Stop by a Forest Preserves nature center and chat with a naturalist.

🦉Great hearing helps them locate fleeing prey at night—even under snow.

Happy #WildWednesday! Today we’re highlighting the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)—the first of the year to breed in the southern Great Lakes basin.

Celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth with us! All March long, join us for inspiring programs and events honoring the remarkable women who shaped history. Discover leaders in conservation, environmental activism and more. Learn more at fpdcc.com/whm.

As the seasons change, get out and find your vibe. There's so much do all year long in the #ChicagoSouthland. bit.ly/4rR9jD5 @EnjoyIllinois 📸: @FPDCC

Spring is on the way! 🌷 This Friday, discover the signs of the season with University of Illinois Extension Volunteers at River Trail Nature Center. This hands-on nature program is open to all ages. 🌱 Fri, March 6 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Learn more: fpdcc.com/event/spring-h…

I enjoyed a two-mile hike yesterday at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. Lots of birds, pretty views (including Longjohn Slough), and plenty of solitude on the trails. You can read my past article about this nature gem by visiting tinyurl.com/2p29y97s @fpdcc #hiking

#WorldWildlifeDay: Plants matter, too🌱 Wildlife isn’t just fur and feathers—native plants are the foundation of healthy habitats, providing food and shelter for countless species. From oaks to blooming prairie flowers, plants power our ecosystems. 🌼