The Nature Foundation of Will County has been awarded a $10,000 grant to fund restoration work that will protect globally rare and endangered plant species and enhance habitat for vital pollinators. The grant will fund habitat restoration work on 59 acres at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Lockport Prairie East Preserve and the adjacent Dellwood Park West, which is owned and managed by the Lockport Township Park District. It was awarded by the Green Region Grant program, which aims to help northern Illinois communities plan, expand and restore open spaces. It is administered through a partnership between ComEd and Openlands. Both Lockport Prairie East and Dellwood Park West are home to rare dolomite prairie habitat and several endangered and rare plant species only grow in this specific habitat, said Chris Hanley, restoration ecologist for the Forest Preserve District. The restoration work will help support leafy prairie clover (Dalea foliosa), which is federally and state endangered, and slender sandwort (Minuartia patula) which is state endangered. The site also supports a variety of pollinating insects. In 2024, a federally endangered insect was spotted at Lockport Prairie East, the first time the species had been spotted in the Will County preserves in many decades. The discovery underscores the importance of controlling and removing invasive species to support the diverse native plant species that make this such a high-quality natural area. The grant will fund herbicide treatments and prescribed fire to remove invasive plants, Chris said. The final step of the project is supplemental seeding. Work began this year and will continue through winter 2027. “Funding from grant programs such as these is extremely helpful and important to the work we do,” Chris said. “They help to ensure we are protecting our highest quality and most sensitive natural areas and allow us to expand our management footprint.” Because Lockport Prairie East and Dellwood Park West are contiguous, the site is treated as one project area. Restoration work is completed under a cooperative agreement with the Lockport Township Park District, with the Forest Preserve overseeing land management and the Park District providing financial support. “This collaboration is key to protecting the federally listed species that make Lockport Prairie East and Dellwood Park West their home,” Chris said. The Forest Preserve District received Green Region Grants twice previously. In 2018, it received the grant for tallgrass prairie restoration at Prairie Bluff Preserve, and in 2014 the grant funded trail and habitat enhancements at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. Through grants such as these, The Nature Foundation helps the Forest Preserve District stretch its dollars — and its impact. These additional funds help the Forest Preserve protect these high-quality natural areas for future generations to enjoy.

(Photo by Anthony Schalk) There’s no wrong time of year to visit the Forest Preserve District’s Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve and Plum Creek Nature Center, and The Nature Foundation of Will County is proud to support this year-round destination where visitors of all ages can have meaningful nature experiences throughout every season. Situated on the far east side of Will County, the preserve is a go-to destination to enjoy nature and learn more about it, a task made easy at the nature center. The trails and nature center are open year-round. There’s actually more to do when the weather turns cold, said Heather Van Zyl, the Forest Preserve District’s facility supervisor. The large hill outside the nature center becomes a hotspot for sledding after a good snowfall, and when the mercury drops low enough, visitors can even ice skate on Snapper Pond. Ever wonder what you might do at the preserve or nature center during the winter? Heather says, “The same things we do now but in warmer clothes.” Visitors are encouraged to visit often to take advantage of the free programs, events and exhibits and to enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons. “I hope that people who come to Plum Creek are able to meet their goal, whether that’s recreating or education or just finding a safe, peaceful place.” She said some people pop in for just a few minutes to get a map or a trail recommendation while others linger a bit, to check out the exhibits or relax in the bird observation area. Our support helps the nature center in several ways. First, the bird observation area serves as an exhibit space, and the Foundation often provides financial support to bring traveling exhibits to the site. “That’s always an amazing opportunity because it brings different people to us for different reasons,” Heather said. The Foundation also provides financial resources to enhance the outdoor bird-feeding area, which improves birding opportunities throughout the year. We help expand educational opportunities for students who visit the site for field trips. Staff use funds we provide to purchase high-quality, youth-friendly equipment such as binoculars, and even launched a new field trip on birding, a program teachers requested. The Foundation also contributes to help care for the nature center’s three animal ambassadors, Penny the ball python, Lilo the box turtle and Bluey the blue-tongued skink, “our most popular coworkers,” Heather joked. The preserve itself is special in a lot of ways. Prior to the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s purchase of the land in the 1970s it served as a Scout camp. In 2025, the District added nearly 500 acres to the preserve, a parcel they had been interested in acquiring since the 1970s. Today, at 1,411 acres, it is the District’s second largest preserve. Only Hickory Creek Preserve covers more acreage. Multiple trails crisscross the land, plus the preserve provides access to the Plum Creek Greenway Trail, which passes right behind the nature center. Across its expansive acreage, the habitat is varied, including woodlands, prairies, wetlands and more, said Jessica Quinn, the Forest Preserve District’s natural resource management coordinator. The diverse habitat supports several species, including endangered and threatened animal and plant species as well as species of greatest conservation need. The Forest Preserve District has been conducting large-scale land management at Goodenow Grove for more than a decade, Jessica said. “Because Jan Heideman included The Nature Foundation in her estate plans, we can contribute funds to help accelerate the ecological improvements at Goodenow Grove,” said Tara Neff, The Nature Foundation’s executive director. The Nature Foundation offers opportunities for residents to leave their own lasting mark on the preserve through its commemorative tree and bench program, which offers benches for adoption at preserves including Goodenow Grove. We enhance and accelerate the Forest Preserve District’s preservation, conservation, education, and recreation goals through philanthropy. You can help. Make your gift today!

(Photo by Anthony Schalk) Cast a line, spend some time on the water, enjoy the solitude of nature or gather with friends and family at Monee Reservoir. The Nature Foundation of Will County is proud to direct its investments to help enhance the site. The Nature Foundation’s support helps make Monee Reservoir a popular destination for visitors all year long, said Heather Van Zyl, the Forest Preserve District’s facility supervisor at Monee Reservoir. “It really helps fast track some of our dreams,” Heather said of the Foundation’s support. “We have big ideas, but big ideas take time and money, so it’s really great when we can find projects that align with the goals of the Foundation, which I feel is really representing some community goals.” With a 46-acre lake at the forefront, Monee Reservoir shines in the summertime. It’s among the Forest Preserve’s premier fishing destinations, and is also the only spot in the Will County preserves with a full selection of boat rentals — canoes, kayaks, rowboats - even pedalboats. Guests can launch their own boats, too! “It’s a great place to have a first-time experience or a weekly experience and be able to try some new things,” Heather said. In addition to the lake, the site includes a 1.66-mile natural surface trail that leads people to some of the quieter corners of the preserve, including wetlands and areas of prairies lined with woodlands. Visitors might be surprised by the amount of wildlife they see along the trail. Heather said they’ve seen herons, egrets, muskrats and even a couple of river otters. The lake is a great place to see migrating ducks and other waterfowl that only visit during the winter. Grab a seat on any of the benches across the preserve to enjoy the scenery and tranquility of the site. Some benches are even available to commemorate special people or occasions through the Bench Donation Program. In 2025, a shade structure was installed next to the visitor center for guests to get a break from the sun. The project, which was funded with a $50,000 gift from Earthrise Energy, was complemented this year with accessible tables and landscaping surrounding the area. Heather said the addition of the shade structure helps the space feel more complete and inviting, and allows people to linger and enjoy the preserve for longer. The covered patio also helps creates a more enjoyable setting for public programs at Monee Reservoir. “I think it really sends a message that the building is a place to visit and a spot where people belong,” she said. Inside the visitor center, people can access the concession stand and relax while enjoying the view of the busy bird feeders right outside the windows. Heather said they also supply a number of games and crafts for kids. With all the amenities the preserve provides, plus easy access to recreation and nature, Monee Reservoir is a popular spot for gatherings big and small at the site’s picnic grove and two picnic shelters. The site features the Forest Preserve’s largest shelter, Bluegill Hill, which can accommodate up to 200 people. The preserve is a frequent stopping point for road cyclists in the area, and we provided funds to install a bike repair station for cyclists to perform quick fixes and adjustments on their pitstops at the preserve. The Forest Preserve’s annual National Night Out celebration is held at Monee Reservoir to promote police-community partnerships. The Forest Preserve Police Department invites officers from nearby agencies and other organizations to attend this family-friendly event.