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(Photo by Lydia Pond) The Nature Foundation of Will County is helping expand outdoor learning opportunities at the Forest Preserve District’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbroo k, thanks to generous support from Sgt. Tommy’s Kids . “For the past four years, we’ve received support from the Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert Memorial Foundation to help scale up youth programs and activities at the Forest Preserve District’s newly acquired nature center,” said Tara Neff, executive director of the Nature Foundation. “Through 2026, that support totals $15,850.” Sgt. Tommy’s Kids was founded in honor of Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert, a fallen U.S. Marine from Downers Grove. From an early age, Tommy loved being outside, exploring nature, and he wanted all children to have the same opportunities he did. Their mission—to promote youth appreciation and education of the outdoors and to encourage kids to be active in nature—aligns with our core pillars. “Sgt. Tommy’s Kids funding came to Hidden Oaks at the perfect time,” said Suzy Lyttle, the nature center’s program coordinator. “As a new facility, we were starting fresh with almost everything. Creating starter kits for field trips, in-school programs, and public programs has been exciting, but also a financial challenge.” Our support enabled Hidden Oaks staff to purchase the tools and materials needed to begin offering field trips for schools and homeschool students in 2025 . The equipment also supports hands-on activities such as pond dipping, bug hunts, and snowshoeing, as well as a new program, Winging It! Birding 101 . In the program, students learn about bird adaptations and birding as a hobby before putting their new skills to the test on a guided birding hike. Providing each child with their own equipment is essential for creating hands-on and interactive experiences. “Kids love having a new tool to use, and they don’t necessarily want the toy version or the ‘kid’ version,” Suzy said. “If it’s the real deal that biologists use, that’s even cooler.” Encouraging children to spend time outdoors offers numerous physical and mental health benefits. And, the more time kids spend outside, the more comfortable and confident they become in natural settings. “Nature can be overwhelming for kids—it can be dirty, hot, cold, or windy,” Suzy said. “But learning how to adapt is important. Dress for the weather and be okay with being just a little uncomfortable.” Unplugging from technology can be uncomfortable, too. That’s why we support Forest Preserve District programs that inspire discovery. By partnering with organizations like Sgt. Tommy’s Kids, we hope more children and families get outside—and fall in love with nature.

We are proud to sponsor the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s popular Be a Trailblazer campaign to help connect people to everything the District has to offer — from programs and recreational opportunities to conservation efforts that protect land and improve ecosystems. “They’ll use our $7,500 gift to promote and incentivize participation in the campaign,” said Tara Neff, The Nature Foundation’s executive director. We treated participants to coffee, cocoa and cookies at Hickory Creek Junction so they could share feedback with District staff, swap stories and hit the trails to complete missions. An Campbell of Romeoville wore a sweatshirt she made to show people she meets on her adventures that she’s a Trailblazer.  She walks to achieve her health goals and the campaign keeps her motivated to get outside and explore the preserves. “I don't particularly like walking in cold weather, but I am competitive and am hooked since these challenges come with prizes,” she said, adding that she has walked at least 2 miles a day since September. Before participating in the challenges, An spent most of her time in the preserves close to her home. Now, she can’t wait to revisit the new places she’s discovered. Chad Merda, head of digital marketing strategy/engagement for the Forest Preserve District says they are well on their way to surpassing last year’s total of 2,000 participants. “It’s important to us to continue to attract new people of all age groups, particularly families with young children,” he said. “Studies show it’s important to expose children to nature early on if you want them to develop a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors, and the Trailblazer experience can help do that.” Elyse Bryla of Lemont says the memorable experiences she has with her kids make Be a Trailblazer special.  During their New Year’s Day hike along the Veterans Memorial Trail they stopped to watch a beaver – then saw a bald eagle flying just over their heads. “The looks on the boys' faces were pure awe. They were silent for a handful of seconds just watching the eagle soar over the river and land in a tree across from us, and then they started laughing and bouncing up and down with joy and excitement,” Elyse said. “It was amazing to see, and my heart felt so full that we got to share that moment.” This is the fourth year the Forest Preserve District has offered a digital scavenger hunt using the Goosechase app.  2026 marks the second year it’s been offered as Be A Trailblazer, an iteration that encourages participants to visit the preserves on their own schedules. “We’ve heard from people that they really enjoy the casual format, where it’s not a competition but they can do as much or as little as they want,” Chad said. “That’s really part of our goal, making this as enticing to as many people as we can so they can engage and interact with the Forest Preserve District how they want.” For Elyse, the missions add a sense of purpose and accomplishment. “My boys love the challenge of finding the spots and seeing who can find the most on the mission,” Elyse said. “We all feel restored after spending the time outside and have really enjoyed getting to preserves we may not have known about.” If you’re not already blazing a trail through the preserves, what are you waiting for?  It’s easy to join!  Download the Goosechase app and search for Be a Trailblazer or use join code JYBKK4.  See you in the preserves!

From left to right are Forest Preserve Executive Director Tracy Chapman, Forest Preserve Board President Judy Ogalla, Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff, Forest Preserve Deputy Director Adam Oestmann, and Forest Preserve Board and Foundation Board members Julie Berkowicz, Elnalyn Costa and Dawn Bullock. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock) The Nature Foundation of Will County presented a $45,200 check to the Forest Preserve District of Will County ' s Board of Commissioners at its Feb. 11 meeting. Fou ndation Executive Director Tara Neff said the money will support a wide variety of programs and initiatives for the District, including $11,500 to purchase prizes and incentives for the Route 66  Get Your Kicks Challenge , the  Be a Trailblazer experience and the 2026  Preserve the Moment Photo Contest .  “All of these activities help encourage people to visit new places, meet new people and spend time in the preserves,” Neff said. “All of these things make people happy and healthy.”  The Foundation also will provide $9,200 for the District’s conservation department for prescribed burns. And a $5,000 donation from Pembina Pipeline will be used for invasive species management at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon. The Foundation also allocated more than $8,000 to the Restore Will County small grant program, which helps provide training tools, equipment and supplies to volunteer site stewards and the natural resource management department to help improve preserves throughout the coun ty. Another $7,500 is for visitor center exhibits including the  Federal Duck Stamp Art Display  exhibit at Plum Creek Nature Center and  'I Am Not a Costume ' at Isle a la Cache Museum.  “In addition, we are also providing funds for Isle a la Cache Museum staff to purchase supplies and archival materials to support their museum collections,” Neff said.  Foundation funding totaling $12,000 will be used for the  Willy’s Wilderness website , the care of animal ambassadors and supplies and equipment for public and nature education programs. The Foundation was created to enhance the recreational and educational opportunities of the Forest Preserve.