Solar eclipse 2024 captured by Senior Ranger Dan Walker at Greene Valley using an iPhone and a pair of eclipse glasses over the lens.

🌱Ah yes, the first week of spring. Please enjoy this totally accurate depiction of the forest preserves that we definitely just took on the trails. 😅😩❄️ (At least the days are getting longer.)

See you tonight at the public premiere of “Mussel Matters: Saving Critical Species in DuPage County.” Details below.

Register here anc.apm.activecommunities.com/fpddc/activity…

Illinois sees more wintering American bald eagles than any other state outside of Alaska. February is the best time to see them before they migrate back north in March. Plenty of great birding activity these days, so get out and observe!

Happy Leap Day!!! Blackwell Forest Preserve (Warrenville, IL)

Male red-winged blackbirds don't wait around for females to be ready to migrate - when it's time to leave, they go. This isn't because they're rude & impatient, rather, it's to establish territory before breeding season begins. Look for males in Jan. - Feb., & females in spring.

Did you know Great Horned Owl's are one of the earliest bird's to nest? Babies are already peeking their heads out in the woods. Great Horned Owls take over the old nests of squirrels or hawks, rather than build their own. Listen for their 'hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo' call.

The Urban Stream Research Center had their first federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly egg hatch for the season. Usually Hine’s don’t start hatching until late February or early March, but this one couldn’t seem to wait!

In a day & age when we create so much waste, many people are opting to gift experiences instead. Need a last minute holiday gift? Consider buying an FPDDC gift card. They can be used for a variety of things! Get yours this week at Visitor Services from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Take our survey and let us know what you think about DuPage forest preserves! Between now and Dec. 31, please take 15 minutes to complete our online survey. Your opinion matters! Simply visit the link arisurvey.com/s3/FPDDC-PUB

Check out this blog post to learn how the WIllowbrook Wildlife Center is preventing bird collisions and promoting environmental stewardship at their new visitors’ center, currently under construction.

wightco.com/insights/bird-…

#WildlifeProtection #Sustainability
dupageforest

🦌 On the Road This Fall? Watch for Deer! dupageforest.org/what-we-do/new…

dupageforest.org/what-we-do/new…

We want your input! Join us at an open house next Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. to discuss the Maple Meadows Master Plan. Read the news release to learn more about the future of the golf course: dupageforest.org/what-we-do/new…

This is the second year I was able to provide hundreds of Lakeside daisy plants to Forest Preserves and dupageforest for augmenting some small population in IL. I’m very happy to see how this collaboration has played out. Thanks Chicago Botanic Garden and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for your support!

Save the date! Joel Sheesley's paintings depicting the West Branch of the DuPage River will be on display at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL this fall! Come out to our opening reception & meet the artist!

Hey photographers! 📸 Enter your best shots from the DuPage forest preserves in our 2023 Photo Contest. View categories, prizes, and enter here ➡️ …pageforest-photo-contest.wishpond.com/2023-photo-con…