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Pollinator Party is an annual event at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville that attracts people of all ages. (Photo by Chad Merda) Good things come in small packages, and that’s certainly true in the natural world, where some of our tiniest creatures play a big role in our lives as pollinators, shaping the world all around us.   Pollinators are the creatures that pollinate plants as they go about their day-to-day business. All that buzzing and flying around provides a big boon to us. How? For starters, as much as 35% of the world’s food supply — everything from chocolate to bananas to coffee — depends on pollinators . Understanding how crucial these creatures are for our own survival is particularly important because many of our pollinators are in peril, suffering devastating population losses in the past few decades . The threats are many, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, and turning the tide on these losses will require a large-scale effort.   Pollinator Week is held each June to raise awareness of the important role that pollinators — including many insects, some birds and even a few mammals — play in our lives. The Forest Preserve District of Will County is getting a jump start on the celebration with its annual Pollinator Party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville.   This year, Pollinator Party is supported by a $2,500 sponsorship from CITGO Petroleum Corporation. Thanks to the generous support from CITGO, this year’s celebration will be bigger and better than ever, said Jen Guest, the Forest Preserve’s facility supervisor for Isle a la Cache Museum. The event offers engaging and educational activities, including a Pollinator Challenge Course, face painting, live animal encounters with Incredible Bats and interactive voting in the “pollinator election” activity inside the museum.   All the activities at Pollinator Party were planned to bring the science and importance of pollination to life in a fun, family-friendly setting, Guest said.  In addition, an on-site native plant sale, hosted with help from with the Nature Foundation and Nicor Gas, encourages visitors to put some of what they learn into practice at home.  The passion and creativity that Forest Preserve staff bring to programs and events like Pollinator Party is always evident, said The Nature Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff.  “They do such a great job coming up with these ideas for their events and that helps people connect to, learn more about or get excited about what they see,” she said. “This knowledge encourages thoughtful actions that benefit both pollinators and the environment as a whole,” Guest said. “Providing these kinds of educational experiences directly supports our mission to protect and restore natural habitats while engaging the public in the value of conservation.”  This could be something as simple respecting these creatures and the role they play in our lives or making a decision to support them by adding a patch of pollinator habitat at home.

Anglers hoping to make a big splash at the annual Hidden Lakes Trout Farm fishing derbies will get some help reeling in the big one thanks to The Nature Foundation with funds received from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund.   Hidden Lakes will host three derbies this year : the Adult Fishing Derby on May 17, the Kids Fishing Derby on June 28 and the all-ages Summer Sendoff Fishing Derby on Sept. 20.   Funds will be used to stock the ponds with several hundred pounds of fish before each of the three derbies, which helps ensure a successful event with plenty of satisfied anglers, said Angie Trobaugh, the facility supervisor for the Forest Preserve District’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center.   “Hidden Lakes is unique in that we stock from a private source for the derbies,” she said. “It wouldn’t be recommended to have the derbies without stocking because that would just simply be too much pressure on the tiny little ponds.”   The financial support from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund helps make the popular events a success. Since 2022, The Nature Foundation has received nearly $15,000 from the Outdoor Fund to support the Hidden Lakes fishing derbies.   “They provide the opportunity for all of this to happen,” Trobaugh said. “Without them, we would have to find additional resources to ensure the stocking for the derbies.”   The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund invests in programs and initiatives that conserve wildlife and habitat and connect new audience to the outdoors. The funding comes from rounding up at registers when making a purchase.   “It’s people making an investment in their community,” said Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation. “It’s a way to help make the community better and support what they care about, which is outdoor recreation and spending time outside. That’s exactly what The Nature Foundation and the Forest Preserve try to do.”   The fishing derbies at Hidden Lakes are a holdover from when the Bolingbrook Park District owned the facility, but they are a perfect fit with the Forest Preserve’s mission to connect people and nature.   “The Forest Preserve has always held fishing derbies, and they’ve always been well-received by everyone — kids and adults, experts and novices,” Trobaugh said.   The staff enjoys the fishing derbies as much as the anglers, she said. “We love how fun they are. We have goodies, we have prizes. There’s usually ice cream involved.”   Everyone loves checking out the sizes of the fish being reeled in, but the Hidden Lakes staff also love connecting with people who are just learning how to fish and seeing the camaraderie among participants.   “The dynamic is really great because everyone tends to socialize and talk with each other and learn from each other,” Trobaugh said. At each derby, hundreds of dollars in prizes are awarded for biggest catch, with first, second and third place awarded. Not everyone can be a big winner, but Trobaugh hopes all the participants come away feeling like they gained something from the experience.   “Just like with all of our programs, all we’re trying to do is ignite a spark in people, creating a reverence for nature,” Trobaugh said. “And we simply do that by creating a comfortable, fun, inviting environment for them.”

(Photo by Anthony Schalk) Donors to The Nature Foundation of Will County got a sneak peek of the Forest Preserve’s redesigned Hidden Oaks Nature Center days before the facility reopened to the public on May 3. The nature center, which was acquired by the Forest Preserve District of Will County in 2022, closed to the public in early 2024 to undergo a $2 million renovation designed to make the site a hub for education and exploration in northern Will County. The improvements include new exhibits and exploration stations, expanded exhibit space, updated rental space and a larger reception area that includes a gift shop. Visitors will also see an expanded outdoor bird-feeding station that was funded by The Nature Foundation. At the Foundation’s preview evening, donors explored the outdoor grounds and both floors of the facility, tried out the new exploration stations, and met the animal ambassadors that call Hidden Oaks home.  Nature center staff were on hand to answer questions and pointed out all the new bells and whistles. Much to the delight of visitors, a large oak tree remains the highlight of the first-floor exhibit space. It, too, underwent improvements and many commented on how life-like the tree and its new inhabitants looked. Kim Shehorn, a Foundation donor and Forest Preserve volunteer, attended with friend Brooke Heimlich, and both were impressed with the redesigned space, starting with the oak tree. “The tree is what people remember when they think of this space, and it was here before, but it’s much better now,” Shehorn said. The oak tree was an attention-getter for young visitors too, but far from the only one. Ellen Gorski from The Nature Foundation’s Board of Directors attended the preview evening with her 6-year-old son, Michael, who found something new to enjoy around every corner. He was particularly taken with the Hidden Oaks animal ambassadors, including a salamander, a snake and several turtles, with Maxine the red-footed tortoise being the main attraction. Michael got an up-close look at each of the animals in their new tanks and enclosures, and Maxine took a moment to regard him out while he checked her out. He also had fun at the room’s two exploration stations, where he got a closer look at some critters using a microscope. Upstairs, donors had access to the exhibit “Becorns: Little Acorn People Living Big Lives” and gathered in the Quercus Room to spend time catching up with old friends, make new ones and enjoy appetizers sponsored by McWethy’s Tavern, cultivated by executive chef and Foundation Board Director, Dan Casey.  Attendee Anne Querio enjoyed getting a sneak peek at Hidden Oaks and appreciates The Nature Foundation’s efforts to support the Forest Preserve’s work to make the outdoors accessible for all. She has fond memories of being outdoors and exploring with her kids when they were young, and that’s something she wants future generations to enjoy as well. That’s why the Forest Preserve District’s work is so important,” Querio said. “They are maintaining these outdoor places for us and preserving them for the future.” For many, The Nature Foundation’s support for priorities that protect nature, inspire discovery and bring people and nature together is particularly meaningful because of what it means for the future. Shehorn said she volunteers and supports the Foundation because it’s a way to contribute to that greater good. “Educating the public, especially about the environment, that’s really important,” said Shehorn, who used to manage education programs for a museum. For Gorski, who lives nearby, returning to the nature center ended months of anticipation, and seeing Michael enjoy the new exhibits with a sense of wonder was the ultimate reward. “It starts with the kids. That’s the legacy we’re leaving behind,” she said. “If they appreciate nature, hopefully they’ll keep working on that legacy.”

Dan Casey joined The Nature Foundation board in 2024. (Photo by Chad Merda) Local chef Dan Casey hopes to blend his love of food, nature and people to strengthen the Will County community. Casey, a board member for The Nature Foundation of Will County, is executive chef at McWethy’s Tavern, a popular eatery at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. At McWethy’s, bringing people together with food is his focus, and he hopes to be able to accomplish the same in his role with the Foundation.  Casey joined The Nature Foundation board in 2024. He learned about the Foundation through his involvement with the Village of Romeoville’s Conservation and Sustainability Commission. Jennifer Gabrenya, a Commission member and The Nature Foundation board chair, shared with him how like-minded the two organizations are. Extending his community involvement by joining The Nature Foundation board seemed like a natural way to further his commitment to his community and conservation initiatives. “I realized The Nature Foundation was raising money for everything I love about the Forest Preserve, so it made perfect sense. Anything I can get involved with and especially with like-minded people who are passionate about what they do, I'm on board.” Casey feels a responsibility to nature and conservation causes because neither the restaurant nor golf industries are known for being green. His involvement provides an opportunity to balance those negative effects with positive impacts in this community. “Restaurants have a huge carbon footprint,” said Casey. “I’m trying to be part of the solution while still knowing I’m a huge part of the problem.” Casey has dedicated his career to food. He trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago and worked at several well-known restaurants and hospitality companies, including Walt Disney World’s BoardWalk resort and the Ritz Carlton in Chicago.  He said, “landing at McWethy’s ended up being the greatest thing that ever happened to me.” For him, working in restaurants has always been about building community and connecting with people. “I never wanted a Michelin star or all these accolades, but I did want to talk to someone who ate in the restaurant the day before and sort of build a community. And that's what I have here.” His sense of community applies not just to restaurant patrons and coworkers but suppliers as well. At McWethy’s, he develops relationships with suppliers for the restaurant’s most used ingredients, from flour to pork, with an eye on sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant also has a farm and an apiary to source the honey and some of the produce featured in many dishes. “Every sustainable vendor that we use, from a farm to a local business, we put them on our menu and give them the credit they deserve on our website. We try to hoist them up to connect to our larger community.” Casey frequently shares snapshots of his personal and professional lives with his thousands of followers on social media, and he hopes he can use his online presence to help raise the profile of The Nature Foundation. “To have a professional identity that you can use to serve your community — that’s taking advantage of it in the best way possible and I feel like that’s in line with my personal integrity.” Casey and his wife live in Romeoville with their two children.  They regularly cook together and take advantage of Forest Preserve programs and nearby O’Hara Woods Preserve.  For Casey, the outdoors is an escape from the frenetic pace of working in a restaurant kitchen, where the days are long and hard, and everything seems far removed from nature. “I feel like the hustle and bustle of the restaurant is just constant, constant, constant. With nature, you can sort of just escape and keep your mind in a healthy place.” Casey has always used nature as a restorative space, and he hopes to pass that on to his kids. As he’s gotten more involved in conservation, he’s realized how much these natural areas add value to our communities and people’s lives. His commitment to community and conservation isn’t a fleeting one. He’s in it for the long haul. “I just try to stay humble. I know that I’m being judged by the food we put out every day,” he said of how he stays focused in the kitchen. “I could do something great today, and then tomorrow I still have to come in and do many great things again.” For some people, that may seem defeating, but Casey sees it as energizing. He’s not afraid of hard work, and he hopes to bring that can-do attitude to his work with The Nature Foundation. “I’ll do whatever the hard thing is.”

Grants are made possible by Foundation's fundraising efforts John Fuqua, a volunteer site steward, received $500 for his restoration work Hammel Woods. (Photo courtesy of Joe Viola) Since 2017, The Nature Foundation of Will County has awarded $25,347 in Restore Will County grants to help fund restoration work as part of the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s commitment to land stewardship. Funding for the grants comes from the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, and annual awards are granted based on applications that are reviewed by both the Foundation and Forest Preserve. This year, John Fuqua, a volunteer site steward, received $500 for his restoration work Hammel Woods and the Forest Preserve’s natural resource management team received $2,000 to fund Habitat Management Mornings at various preserves. Tara Neff, executive director of the Foundation, awarded the grants at the Forest Preserve’s volunteer banquet on April 3. Fuqua has received Restore Will County grants for the past few years and said it allows him to accelerate progress on his restoration work. In the past, he has used the funds to purchase equipment to burn brush piles and personal protective equipment. This year, he plans to purchase native seed to disperse at Hammel Woods. His work to remove invasive species and open up the viewshed along the trail in the southern end of the preserve started about three years ago. As part of his efforts to improve the health of the forest floor, he has also removed some of the taller trees to thin out the tree canopy to allow sunlight through. He said he’s at a stage now where he plans to re-establish some native species in the understory.  Because seeds from the invasive plants are part of the seedbank, efforts to control buckthorn and honeysuckle will continue into the future. “I’ve come to the realization that it’s probably never going to be done,” he said, chuckling, as he talked about the progress he’s made and what’s left to do. Fuqua, who was honored as the Forest Preserve’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year, said he tries work at Hammel Woods at least a few times a month.  Sometimes he works alone, but he’s also worked with others, including through coordinated public Habitat Management Mornings with the Forest Preserve. To ensure his work at Hammel Woods aligns with the Forest Preserve’s goals for the site, Fuqua meets with Julie Bozzo, natural resource management crew leader for the Forest Preserve. They monitor his progress and make decisions about next steps or changes the work plan, Fuqua said. “We provide direction and discuss goals for the site, and they carry out the associated restoration work independently,” Bozzo said of the partnership between the Forest Preserve and site stewards. Bozzo accepted a $2,000 Restore Will County grant to purchase equipment such as loppers, pump sprayers and fencing pliers used by volunteers at Habitat Management Mornings and native seed to disperse in areas where invasive species have been removed. “Together, removing invasive species and re-establishing native plants are essential for restoration work to be successful,” she said. The work performed at Habitat Management Mornings is largely carried out by volunteers, with assistance and oversight from Forest Preserve staff. “We are benefitting the community by enhancing local spaces through restoration and providing opportunities for patrons to be involved in this process,” Bozzo said. “We are restoring and creating beautiful, natural spaces for members of the community to experience and enjoy.” Want to get involved in habitat restoration in the forest preserves? Look for upcoming Habitat Management Mornings on the event calendar on the Forest Preserve website.

Many of our food and drinks are dependent on the work of pollinators. A viceroy butterfly (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock) Imagine, if you will, a world without chocolate. Or a world without avocados. We can certainly live without these two foods with such an abundance of others, but they would be missed. So, too, would bananas, almonds and even coffee.  These foods that we know we can reliably find on any given trip to the grocery store or farmers market are there thanks to the work of pollinators – the insects and animals required to keep plants and, in turn, food plentiful on our planet. The crucial role they play in the ecosystem and in our food supply is why it is essential that we take the necessary steps to protect them.   Across the world, many of our favorite foods and drinks are dependent on pollinators for their continued availability. In North America, 99% of pollinators are insects, primarily bees. In Will County and across Illinois, insects are the primary pollinators, along with some species of birds.  However, the pollinator population is in decline in Illinois and across the world . While the precise reasons for the population decline are not fully known, several factors are believed to be contributing, including habitat loss, pesticide use, competition from nonnative plants, the presence of mites and diseases affecting pollinators.  As the pollinator population dwindles, the number of viable seeds in the plants they pollinate also decreases. This leads to fewer plants as well as less pollen and nectar for the pollinating animals . How you can help  You can do your part to help the pollinator population thrive in our area by planting and maintaining a garden with pollination in mind. The key to attracting pollinators to your yard or garden is planting native plants, said Bob Bryerton, a program coordinator for the Forest Preserve.  Because native plants are designed to thrive specifically in our climate, planting them strengthens the entire ecosystem.  “Native plants are important because that’s what the critters are used to here,” Bryerton said. “The more native stuff you have, the healthier the system is and the more resilient it is.”  Native plants also attract pollinating birds and insects to your yard. This includes  hummingbirds and monarch butterflies , two species many people want to see around their homes. Although bats are not typically pollinators in Illinois, they are a critical part of the ecosystem, so having a garden rife with native plants helps ensure a healthy habitat for them as well.  “If you have a good pollinator garden, you’ll get butterflies, you’ll get bees, you’ll get hummingbirds,” Bryerton said.  One benefit for gardeners who want to dedicate space for a pollinating garden is that many native plants are perennials, which means they will return year after year. They also require very little upkeep to thrive, Bryerton said. And with a healthy garden, you’ll attract a multitude of pollinators and more — birds, bees, bats, butterflies and other insects. This, in turn, helps ensure both the animal and plant species will thrive locally.      Case studies  In our area, butterflies are plant-dependent. If the plants butterflies use as hosts are not pollinated, those species will go extinct. One example is the Karner blue butterfly . These butterflies, which were once found in significant numbers in and around the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Northwest Indiana, are dependent on the nectar from wild lupine. In addition, their caterpillars feed on the lupine leaves. However, in 2012, during an unusually warm and early spring season, the caterpillars emerged from their cocoons before the lupine plants had grown, causing the butterfly population to drop in the dunes area.  The dwindling bee population has garnered a lot of headlines in recent years, and for good reason. Bees are one of the world’s primary pollinators, and their numbers have been in steep decline over the past several years.  In Illinois and the Midwest, the rusty patched bumble bee has historically been a well-populated and broadly distributed species. These bees helps pollinate tomatoes, apples, cranberries and more. In 2017, the rusty patched bumble bee was placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . Over the past 20 years, the bumble bee’s population has declined by an astounding 87%, and today it is present in only 0.1% of its historical range.  Experts believe the rusty patched bumblebee’s population decline is caused by several factors, including intensive farming and the use of pesticides.  The examples of the Karner blue butterfly and the rusty patched bumble bee illustrate the important symbiotic relationship between native plant and native animal species and how they create a healthier environment for all species, including us.  Abuzz with activity  To contribute to a thriving natural habitat, be mindful of the plants you put in your yard and garden and make an effort to plant native species. One of the benefits of this will be the wealth of critters you attract to your yard, including butterflies, hummingbirds and other songbirds and a multitude of insects, including the bees that are so critical to our existence.  “It’s like a living laboratory out there,” Bryerton said.  Here’s a look at some of the plants you should consider planting in your own yard to contribute to a healthy habitat for pollination.    Trees  Many of our neighborhood trees are cultivated and not native to our area, Bryerton said. If you are looking to plant a new tree in your yard, native species such as oak trees will host more insects and other organisms than nonnative species. These trees will also attract more caterpillars, and more caterpillars means more birds, which eat the caterpillars.   The Morton Arboretum maintains a lengthy list of trees suitable for growing in the Will County area in its Northern Illinois Tree Species List , which includes information about particular species’ site requirements and ideal planting locations. Many of the trees listed are native to Illinois, including a variety of birch, hickory, maple, oak and pine trees.  Shrubs  Many insects, birds and small mammals use shrubs for shelter and privacy, Bryerton said. Among the shrubs he recommends planting in a pollinator garden are arrowwood viburnum, spicebush and American hazelnut.  Hummingbirds are among the pollinating animals that like shrubbery, because they like open, partially wooded areas, he said.  Flowers  Many people prefer the pop of color flowers provide in home landscapes, and many native flowering plants will give you a colorful garden while also attracting pollinating insects. Some good choices for planting in Will County are black-eyed Susan, brown-eyed Susan, coneflower, coreopsis, goldenrod, ironweed, spiderwort and wild bergamot, Bryerton said.  A few species are of special interest in attracting particular pollinators. For example, milkweed is the host plant for monarch butterflies. Without milkweed there will not be monarch butterflies in a particular area.  He said milkweed used to be more common in Will County and northern Illinois, but its prevalence has fallen recently. As a result, the monarch population has also decreased. Two examples of milkweed species native to our area that are easy to plant and maintain in a garden are common milkweed and swamp milkweed. Bryerton said they have had success attracting monarch butterflies to their milkweed plants in the native garden at Plum Creek Nature Center.  Another perennial wildflower that attracts butterflies is Joe Pye weed. Bryerton said Joe Pye weed is a good alternative to butterfly bush, which is popular for attracting insects but is best avoided locally because it’s not native to Illinois.   Sticking with native plants is best not just for the plants and the butterflies you hope to attract, but for the health of the entire ecosystem.  “Native plants help control nuisance insects and garden pests,” Bryerton said. “Having a more diverse habitat helps control nuisance on its own.”  Where to find native plants  Garden centers become a hotbed of activity each spring, full of flowers, shrubs and trees just waiting to be planted. But the garden centers that pop up each year at local home improvement and big-box stores are not necessarily the best place to buy native plants.  Instead, look to native plant nurseries for native plants.

Children participate in a Nature Play Day program at Plum Creek Nature Center. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock) So far this year, The Nature Foundation of Will County has secured $147,600 to help the Forest Preserve District of Will County preserve and protect Will County’s natural resources and create enhanced recreational and educational opportunities.  These funds come from donations made to the Foundation, including gifts from individual donors and corporate partners as well as revenue from Forest Preserve merchandise sales , said Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation of Will County. “Our donors and partners are so incredibly generous,” Neff said.  “Some of them have been part of our community since our first year of operation in 2014. All of our donors make it possible for us to support for everything you love about the Forest Preserve District.” The Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and is eligible to apply for funding opportunities for which the Forest Preserve is not and applications are submitted to various funders throughout the year for projects approved by the Forest Preserve District. Financial gifts from The Nature Foundation to the Forest Preserve District fall into four categories: recreation; nature education; arts and interpretation; and land stewardship. These dollars are spent across the county to enhance people’s experiences in their Will County preserves, Neff said. “The Foundation works to create a legacy of giving that supports and celebrates the preservation, conservation, education and recreation priorities of the Forest Preserve District of Will County in perpetuity,” she said. “We fund Forest Preserve projects and initiatives that protect nature, inspire discovery, and bring people and nature together.” For employees, financial support from The Nature Foundation is a way of broadening the Forest Preserve’s reach, said Lydia Pond, director of visitor services.  “It is an avenue to make some of our dreams come true,” she said. “We are able to do all the things we hope for and then a little bit more.” Here is a closer look at the many ways funding from The Nature Foundation will support the forest preserves and the people who use them in 2025. Recreation So far this year, the Nature Foundation has allocated $45,600 in funding to support recreation initiatives in the preserves. This includes bicycle racks and repair stations, benches, water fountains and outdoor recreation programs such as Woods Walk and the Be a Trailblazer campaign . “Working with The Nature Foundation allows us to include those extra elements that bring a project to the next level,” said Colleen Novander, director of planning and land preservation.  Novander said funding from The Nature Foundation is like “the icing on the cake,” explaining that the Forest Preserve District budgets to fully fund a project, but additional funding can help pay for additional amenities. “They help fund things that can make the spaces more enjoyable.” She said she appreciates the partnership between the Forest Preserve and The Nature Foundation because it gives the Will County community a better experience in the preserves.  “Their support furthers our mission,” she said. “The goals set by The Nature Foundation are supported by the public, and that support enables us to offer more.” Neff said the goal is to provide everyone with access to recreational opportunities they enjoy or would like to try. “Our investments make it easier for people to spend time at visitor centers, out in the preserves and on the trails,” she said. Nature education This year, the Foundation has already allocated $29,000 for programs and supplies that enhance nature education and create additional educational opportunities for the public. This includes funding for STEAM/STEAM programs, housing and health care for the District’s animal ambassadors that live at Forest Preserve visitor centers as well as a bus scholarship program for field trips and the Willy’s Wilderness website , which is aimed at students and educators.  For the Forest Preserve’s Visitor Services Department, this money covers a wide array of items, everything from materials like LEGO, Play-Doh and art supplies to things like binoculars, microscopes and furs and pelts that aid in interpretation and education, Pond said.  The Forest Preserve budgets for many of these items, but additional funding from The Nature Foundation makes more supplies available for field trips and programs. Those additional supplies mean, for example, that every child might get to use a dip net on a field trip rather than sharing, or everyone at a program gets their own binoculars to use rather than passing them back and forth.  These may seem like small things, but having these additional supplies allows more people to have meaningful experiences.  “The goal is to connect people with nature, and The Nature Foundation allows us more avenues to do that,” Pond said. Arts and interpretation The Nature Foundation has allocated $36,700 in funding to the Forest Preserve in 2025 to enhance arts and interpretation opportunities for the public. This includes funding for several visitor center exhibitions throughout the year as well as enhancements to bird-feeding stations at Isle a la Cache Museum and Hidden Oaks Nature Center.  Funds will also be used to install interpretive signage in preserves.  These dollars allow Forest Preserve staff to connect with more people in more ways, Pond said. “With funding from The Nature Foundation, we can create new environments or engage with people in a different way,” she said.  Each visitor center has its own identity under the umbrella of the Forest Preserve’s goals and mission, and exhibitions are a way to complement that identity and keep the facilities fresh, Pond said.  “Hosting exhibitions is a way to make things consistently different,” she said. “It changes the landscape. They make our visitor centers more dynamic.” The same is true of the bird-feeding stations. They offer another reason for people to visit the visitor centers — and keep visiting. The bird-feeding stations are used for public programs , but they are also used daily by visitors who simply enjoy the peaceful pastime of birdwatching. “The Forest Preserve staff is so talented,” Neff said. “Creating compelling reasons for people to visit a specific visitor center multiple times throughout the year has got to be challenging.” These new and different opportunities to learn about Will County’s natural and cultural resources might be the spark that ignites a passion for nature in our next generation of environmental stewards. Land stewardship The Nature Foundation’s 2025 budget includes $36,300 for land stewardship activities in the forest preserves, including wildlife habitat improvements and a grant for the Forest Preserve’s volunteer site stewards through the Restore Will County program . The Forest Preserve’s partnership with The Nature Foundation allows for more habitat management and improvement across the county, said Jessica Quinn, natural resource management coordinator, and Judith Wallace, land management coordinator, who have both worked on projects supported by Foundation funding. “Funding from The Nature Foundation allows us to do more, and it all keeps snowballing,” Wallace said. “And the more we do, it allows us to engage more people.” Financial support from the Foundation can accelerate the timelines for some habitat improvement projects or even put projects on the to-do list that otherwise might not get done, Quinn said. While working on Foundation-funded projects, both Quinn and Wallace have had conversations with people who stop to ask questions about the work they are doing, creating another positive learning experience. “When the public can see us doing these things, it helps them understand,” Quinn said. Wallace said she finds that the public is always appreciative of their work to improve these natural spaces, often thanking them for what they are doing. “It gives natural resources a voice with the public,” Wallace said. “When they see us out there, it makes a connection for people.” “Responsible land management practices are essential for any landowner,” Neff said.  “The Forest Preserve District owns and/or manages over 23,000 acres so there is no lack of work to be completed with our additional funds. "We love seeing how quickly nature responds to wildlife habitat improvements.  We may also remember that we benefit from the very same improvements that create a healthy habitat for wildlife: clean air, clean water, and healthy soils."

District will use funds for a variety of initiatives From left to right are Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff, Forest Preserve Board President Destinee Ortiz, Forest Preserve Executive Director Ralph Schultz, and Forest Preserve and Foundation board members Julie Berkowicz and Elnalyn Costa. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock) The Nature Foundation of Will County presented a quarterly donation check to the Forest Preserve District's Board at its Feb. 13 meeting. The check totaled $48,800.   Tara Neff, executive director of the Foundation, said the donation came from corporations, foundations and individuals who support the Foundation’s work and the Forest Preserve’s goals.  “Our mission is to create a legacy of giving that supports and celebrates the preservation, conservation, education and recreation priorities of the Forest Preserve District in perpetuity,” Neff said.  Foundation donors provided $5,000, which was matched by $5,000 from Pembina Pipeline for the District’s Connecting Kids with Nature Bus Scholarship Program  available to schools with Schoolwide Title 1 designations. Another $2,000 from the Foundation was used to fund housing and health services for the Forest Preserve’s animal ambassadors while $5,000 went to the Foundation's Restore Will County small grant program for restoration efforts in the forest preserves. “The District’s Conservation Department works year-round, sometimes in terrible weather, implementing strategies to improve the health of our communities by restoring protected natural areas, some of which are home to Illinois’ rarest species,” Neff said.  The Conservation Department has access to $25,000 a year over a 10-year period for restoration activities at the 891-acre Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete Township.  This funding comes from Jan Heideman, who included the District’s Goodenow Grove in her estate plan.  “Jan Heideman is a founding member of the Nature Foundation Legacy Society , which was created in 2020 as a way to accept and recognize individuals who include the Nature Foundation in their will or trust, through charitable designations or in their estate plans,” Neff said. The Foundation’s quarterly contribution also included $1,800 for promotional and programming materials for the "Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin Collection" traveling exhibit on display at Forest Preserve visitor centers through March 2. The exhibit is timely because of the recent wildfires out west, Neff explained.  “Recent events serve as reminders of the importance of responsible land management practices like prescribed burns,” she said. “The U.S. Forest Service changed its Smokey Bear tagline in 2001 from, ‘Only you can prevent forest fires,’ to ‘Only you can prevent wildfires.’”

Improvements made possible by funding from The Nature Foundation Attendees at a Birds and Beans program at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville had the opportunity to learn about birds at the new bird-feeding stations funded by the Nature Foundation of Will County. Bird-watching is one of those pastimes that is accessible to all. You can do it in your backyard or even from your kitchen table, enjoying the birds that come and go from your yard, or you can turn it an adventure, trekking to bird hotspots near and far to see what species you can add to your list of observed birds. Birding is also a popular activity in the Will County forest preserves and Forest Preserve District visitor centers. Beginner and advanced birders alike spend time looking and listening for birds of all kinds, both on their own and as part of interpretive programs led by Forest Preserve staff and volunteers. One such recent program was Birds and Beans at Isle a Cache Museum in Romeoville , during which a group gathered in the museum’s library to enjoy bird-friendly coffee and breakfast while watching birds come and go from the newly revamped bird-feeding station. The enhancements to the bird-feeding area at Isle a la Cache were funded by The Nature Foundation. Additional funding also paid for a bird-feeding station at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook as well as outdoor seed-storage bins at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon . Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation, hopes the bird-feeding stations open doors for people, whether it’s learning about a new bird species or finding a new hobby they can enjoy in the preserves. “This is really about inspiring discovery,” Neff said. “It’s just another way of building connections with nature.” Interpretive naturalist Sara Russell, who led the Birds and Beans program, said the new bird-feeding station is much more expansive than what they previously had, providing more opportunities for people to see and experience our local bird species up close. “The goal (of Birds and Beans) is to allow people a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy birding and enjoy nature and enjoy our facilities,” she said, adding people of all birding backgrounds are welcome. “I want people to feel like they can ask questions and don’t feel like they have to know a lot to come out.” During the program, feathered visitors included black-capped chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, downy woodpeckers, house sparrows and white-breasted nuthatches. Among those in attendance were Kathy and Jim Stearns of Joliet, who chatted with other attendees about the birds at the museum’s feeders and also shared photos of birds that have visited their backyard feeders. The new bird-feeding stations at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. (Photo by Anthony Schalk) This was the second Birds and Beans program Kathy Stearns has attended, and this time she decided to bring her husband along. “I enjoy being able to see the different birds in their natural setting,” she said, adding that before attending her first Birds and Beans program she had never visited Isle a la Cache Museum before. She said she enjoys the casual approach of Birds and Beans, and she hopes to attend more birding programs, including a birding hike, to further her knowledge of our local birds. Russell said the support of The Nature Foundation to fund amenities such as the bird-feeding stations allows interpretive naturalists to better connect people and nature. “Nature is incredible and awesome, but it is fickle. It isn’t going to do what you want it to do when you want it to do it. By the Foundation building this structure for us, it gives us a much higher than average chance of seeing nature right before our eyes,” she said, adding that those close encounters people have with wildlife allow them to better understand and appreciated nature. Russell said the bird-feeding area is a draw not just for programs but for everyday museum visitors as well. She said they often have visitors, both regulars and newcomers, who will take a seat in the comfortable chairs in front of the library windows to enjoy birds flitting to and from the feeders. “People will sit in front of the windows and watch the bird feeders, sometimes for hours,” she said. The hope is the same at Hidden Oaks, where the bird-feeding station is part of the extensive renovations and upgrades that will be unveiled to the public in spring 2025.  “We see this as a teaching tool for visitors during future programs and in passing conversations,” said program coordinator Suzy Lyttle. At Hidden Oaks, visitors will be able to enjoy the viewing area indoors, with a front-row seat for the action. They will have ID guides and binoculars on hand for people to get a better look, and staff look forward to chatting with people about who they are seeing at the feeders, Lyttle said, adding that birding programs will be included in the program offerings at Hidden Oaks as well. She said that including the bird-feeding stations is an approachable way for people to learn more about the world around them, and she hopes that having them at the Forest Preserve visitor centers helps turn more people into self-proclaimed “bird nerds.” “Birdwatching becomes so contagious. The birds have their own personalities that are easy to fall in love with,” she said. “I am so excited to have a set up that visitors can use as inspiration to add at home.”

You can make the meaningful decision to include The Nature Foundation of Will County in your financial or estate plans to help sustain Forest Preserve District programs and activities you love beyond your lifetime. (Photo by Anthony Schalk) The Legacy Society was established in 2020 as a way for you to plan a gift that aligns with your personal values, planning needs, and charitable aspirations to leave a lasting, meaningful impact in Will County for generations to come.   “Not everyone is in a position to make a gift right now,” said Tara Neff, the Foundation’s executive director. “Planned gifts provide you with the flexibility to support The Nature Foundation without affecting your existing financial commitments. In addition to maximizing your charitable contribution, you can also realize tax benefits by making charitable gifts to The Nature Foundation,” she said. The Nature Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and all gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.   There are a number of tax-smart ways to give to The Nature Foundation. You can make a bequest in your will, living trust, or charitable trust, or list The Nature Foundation as a beneficiary on your life insurance policies. You can also donate to The Nature Foundation from your Donor-Advised Fund or through qualified charitable distributions (QCD) from your retirement accounts. Neff recognizes planning your legacy gift can feel overwhelming and recommends consulting with your legal, tax, and/or financial advisors.  Gifts pledged to The Legacy Society help sustain The Nature Foundation so it can continue to support The Forest Preserve District’s priorities that protect nature, inspire discovery, and bring people and nature together.  “All gifts of all sizes make a difference,” Neff said. “Your gift directly impacts the quality of life available in Will County now and for future generations.”

Year-end giving campaign aims to raise $45,000 When you give to The Nature Foundation of Will County, you get more of what you love about the Will County forest preserves. That message is the focus of the Foundation’s year-end giving campaign – and they need your help to reach their $45,000 fundraising goal. With your gift, The Nature Foundation can support more projects and initiatives across the Will County forest preserves, in turn giving you more to enjoy. “As a donor, you have that power,” said Tara Neff, the Foundation’s executive director. “You help make these things possible. And we hope you see and experience the impact your gift makes every day.” The Nature Foundation’s mission is to create a legacy of giving that supports and celebrates the preservation, conservation, education and recreation priorities of the Forest Preserve District of Will County . The Foundation invests in projects and initiatives that align with its three pillars: protect nature, inspire discovery and bring people and nature together. When you give to The Nature Foundation, your gift stays right here in your community, funding projects that directly benefit you and the environment.  You can see the evidence of your investment across Will County, and experience it yourself when you hike in a forest preserve or drop by a visitor center. “You don’t have to wonder how your gift will be used. You can experience it,” said Neff, adding that she hopes people feel personally connected to the projects their gifts support. A few examples of how the Foundation puts your donation to work : exhibitions at visitor centers; support for animal ambassadors; recreation programs such as the Take It Outside challenge and Woods Walk; and preserve amenities such as bike repair stations and water fountains. And it’s not just programs and experiences that the Foundation supports; it also helps create a healthy environment by providing funds for the Forest Preserve District’s restoration and conservation initiatives that improve wildlife habitat and ecosystems. “Without a healthy environment to give you clean water, clean air and daily opportunities for outside recreation, your quality of life is reduced,” Neff said. The Foundation pursues funding through grants as well as from its corporate partners. However, it’s your gift that allows the Foundation to be nimble, funding projects and initiatives as needs arise, Neff said.  And if you’re not ready to give today, consider becoming a member of The Legacy Society by including The Nature Foundation in your estate planning. Donations received through the Foundation’s year-end giving campaign can be tax deductible; and because these funds are not tied to a specific project or initiative, they can provide immediate and flexible support for Forest Preserve District priorities, Neff said. “Everything we fund leverages existing support to give you more of what the Forest Preserve District offers,” she said.  “Tax dollars only go so far, and there’s always more to do.” Forest Preserve staff make funding requests directly to The Nature Foundation. Neff appreciates their enthusiasm and admires how passionately they work to enhance people’s experiences in the preserves. “We help bring their visions to life and add value to Forest Preserve District projects and initiatives,” she said. “And our donors make that happen.” Neff said she understands that people want to know how their donation will be used. It’s a valid question, she said, and it’s one that is easy to answer when you give to The Nature Foundation. “When you’re inspired by a visitor center exhibit, share new nature facts you learned on Willy’s Wilderness website or fix your flat at a trailside bicycle repair station, you’ll experience the impact your gift makes,” she said. “Why give to us?  Because nature benefits and so do you.”

As the last of this year’s wildflowers faded away, a group of Forest Preserve staff and volunteers spent a brisk fall day planting hundreds of native plant plugs around Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon to help next year’s display be even more spectacular.     The planting day was made possible thanks to Pembina Pipeline Corp. , which has made a three-year, $40,000 commitment to The Nature Foundation of Will County that included funding for natural area restoration and habitat improvements around Four Rivers. In addition to Pembina’s financial support, this is the second year employees from the company’s Aux Sable plant volunteered to help with these habitat improvements.    In all, the Pembina employees and a group of Forest Preserve employees and volunteers planted 734 plugs, 16 shrubs, 55 1-gallon perennials and one tree at four spots around the Four Rivers campus earlier this month. Over the winter, Forest Preserve staff will also spread seed in the preserve’s prairie areas as part of the effort funded by Pembina, said Judith Wallace, land management coordinator for the Forest Preserve District.    Thanks to Pembina’s generosity, the landscape around Four Rivers is able to be enhanced beyond what the Forest Preserve could accomplish on its own, both in terms of financial and manpower resources, Wallace said.    “It’s absolutely great, because we are able to do some planting here in multiple areas that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” she said. “Our resources get stretched pretty thin sometimes, and also in terms of what we can get done with the amount of volunteers and staff, so Pembina is here with their people today as well as making the donation to purchase the plants and seed, which is great.”    Fall might not be a time people are thinking about planting in their gardens at home, but it’s the perfect time to put native plants in the ground, Wallace said.     “It actually is good planting season because we’re still early enough where the ground is not going to freeze really hard,” she said. “Now that cooler temperatures are coming in, with cooler nights, the plants like that better. They don’t like hot, dry conditions, so the cooler temperatures and hopefully more rainfall gives them plenty of time for them to get their roots established before the ground freezes hard.”    The Nature Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff was part of the group who got a little dirt on their hands and knees while putting the hundreds of new plants into the ground.    “This was a pretty tough weather day, but the group was absolutely ready for the challenge,” she said. “We accomplished so much on the Four Rivers campus.”    Pembina is one of The Nature Foundation’s major community partners, and Neff was happy to have a chance to meet employees while making improvements around Four Rivers.    “It was nice to connect with the employees and learn that their love for gardening and the outdoors led them to volunteer,” she said, adding she was happy to hear some of the Pembina volunteers plan to return in the winter to help when seed is spread across the prairie areas of the preserve.    Some of the Pembina employees who pitched in this year also volunteered at a similar event last year. For them, coming back was a rewarding experience.     “It’s great seeing how it’s filled in, with all the hard work we put in that day,” said Pembina employee Carin Wilson. “It’s good to see the rewards.”    Pembina employee Anne Liptak agreed and said she too appreciated the opportunity to see last year’s effort thriving.     “When I’m down bent over digging, I’m seeing plants that were obviously planted last year from the same effort,” Liptak said. “It’s rewarding for me to come back and see things blooming.”    Both Wilson and Liptak enjoy volunteering and being outdoors in nature and welcomed the opportunity to do both in their community.     “I am chained to a desk, so this opportunity to spend a day volunteering outdoors is wonderful. It’s great,” Liptak said.    For Wallace, the day’s work was just the start of her efforts to get the plants well established this year so they can show off next summer.    “I will be watching it intently,” she said. “If we don’t get a lot more rain, either myself or someone else is going to be out here follow-up watering. I wouldn’t even start this if I didn’t think we could keep them watered.”    Wallace said the work this year was designed to enhance the existing landscape and also attract wildlife. Along the side of the education center, she chose native plant plugs to complement what was planted last year.      “What we’re doing this year is looking at what species we don’t have yet that we might want to have here,” she said. “We are infilling with some different species and kind of more of the same of the ones that are doing really good.”    The idea is arrange the plants in such a way that pollinators will be enticed by them, she said.     “They like groupings of them, that’s what attracts them,” she said of pollinators. “So we’re putting groupings of threes, sixes, nines so there will be pops of color for people to see and enjoy, but the pollinators will really be able to zone in on those plants.”    New plants also went in around the pond next to the education center, and Wallace said she looks forward to attracting even more life to the space, which is often used as an outdoor classroom for field trips.     “At this time next year, it should be quite lovely — a nice variety of blooming wetland plants to attract pollinators. We already have cricket frogs here, I see lots of warblers in the spring, I’ve heard owls, so this is a wonderful little spot, and the interpreters are going to love using this for a classroom.”    Additional areas of focus included supplementing the little bluestem grasses in landscaped beds in front of Four Rivers and also adding more native plants around the Four Rivers Shelter, which is a popular spot for weddings and other gatherings.      Funding provided by Pembina for the planting effort is part of a larger $40,000 commitment that also included funding for STEM and STEAM activities at Forest Preserve visitor centers as well as funding for a bus scholarship program to cover field trip transportation costs for schools serving low-income students.