Be a Trailblazer inspires nature exploration, backed by Foundation support

Blazing your own trail through the Will County preserves was made easier thanks to an investment by The Nature Foundation of Will County. Thanks to our generous donors, the Foundation provided $13,500 for the Be a Trailblazer experience to pay for a Goosechase app subscription, participant prizes and campaign marketing.

“Our goal with Be a Trailblazer is to reach as many people as possible and either introduce them to a preserve for the first time or get them to become more regular users of the preserves,” said Chad Merda, head of digital marketing strategy/engagement for the Forest Preserve.

Be a Trailblazer is a digital scavenger hunt that sends participants to the forest preserves and beyond to complete missions using the Goosechase app. The experience is divided into four seasonal sessions, each with dozens of missions for participants to complete at their own pace.

After two successful years with the Take It Outside challenge, the digital experience was rebranded as Be a Trailblazer with the hope of appealing to a wider range of people, encouraging a choose-your-own-adventure rather than conquer-all approach. The format change makes it easier for people to start and is no longer a competition against others.

The program was promoted with large signs at select preserves featuring QR codes.

“We know there are people who routinely visit a preserve by their house and may not follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletters or check out our website, so this is a very effective way to meet people where they are and spread the word,” Merda said.

Trailblazer Jay Dorn and his wife have been regular preserve visitors for years, enjoying dog walks and bike rides. After scanning a QR code sign and joining Be a Trailblazer earlier this year, they’ve visited more preserves than they knew existed.

“It definitely got us out more and to new places,” he said. “That’s the draw for us.”

Likewise, Trailblazer Sarah Goodin, who participates with her husband and 10-year-old son, said her family has found new outdoor gems thanks to the experience.

“We've discovered a lot of new places that we wouldn't have visited otherwise and have since returned to those places on our own,” she said, adding that they enjoy that Be a Trailblazer allows them to spend time outdoors while simply enjoying being together.

Staff from the Forest Preserve’s Marketing and Communications Department plan the experience, spending time in the preserves scouting missions including photo challenges, GPS check-ins and trivia questions.

“For each seasonal drop, we’re mindful of having missions in all parts of the county as well as general missions that people can do anywhere,” Merda said. “We put an emphasis on having missions in preserves, but just being outside and experiencing nature anywhere is a positive, so we mix in many of those.”

Since it began, Forest Preserve staff have heard from dozens of participants that the experience helped them find new places to enjoy the great outdoors. Mission accomplished!