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Date: Friday, April 17, 2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fee: $50 per person (includes dinner and drinks (two beer/wine tickets) Age: Ages 21 or older. Contact: 815-722-2022 Location: Heroes West Sport Grill in Joliet Have fun and support The Nature Foundation of Will County by joining us at our Trivia Night Fundraiser in Joliet! 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 of Will County in perpetuity. Bring your team of four to six people or show up solo and create a team with new friends.  We’ll award prizes for the first-, second- and third- place teams, and will have a variety of fabulous raffle prize drawings throughout the event. *** UPDATE: Registration for this event is now closed. Registration is required. We can't wait to see you!

Ellen Green poses in front of her Wild Birds Unlimited store in Joliet. (Photo by Anthony Schalk) If you ask Ellen Green why she supports and serves The Nature Foundation of Will County, she’ll tell you it wouldn’t make sense not to. Ellen, of Bolingbrook, joined the Foundation’s Board as its newest member in 2025, but she was no stranger to our work, having become acquainted with the Foundation through the years in a few ways. She co-owns the Wild Birds Unlimited shop in Joliet with her mother and has been a vendor at our native plant sales and the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s events. More importantly, though, Ellen and her family are big supporters of the Forest Preserve District. “My family personally enjoys what the Forest Preserve has to offer, and a lot of what the Forest Preserve has to offer is in direct relation to The Nature Foundation because they help provide that,” she said. “Being a part of that is really cool for me.” Ellen said she, her husband and their two sons enjoy fishing at Whalon Lake and Hidden Oaks Preserve and hiking and exploring the outdoors in general. As a kid, she was in Girl Scouts, and she values the foundation those experiences provided for developing a lifelong curiosity about nature and love for the outdoors. “Being around nature has always been a thing for me. It’s always been a part of who I am, what I do,” she said. “I’m a big animal lover, from the littles to the bigs.” Birds and birding are the focus of her professional life, and they are a personal passion as well. Ellen said her love for birds began as a child, when she helped her grandmother fill their bird feeders. For her, that love never died.  She hopes everyone finds something in nature they look at with the same wide-eyed wonder they had as children. We support the Forest Preserve District’s programs and initiatives that protect nature, inspire discovery and bring people and nature together – which ties in nicely with her work at Wild Birds Unlimited. She wants what’s best for birds and is committed to supporting organizations that educate people about their importance for healthy habitats and ecosystems. For her efforts to protect bird populations through education and conservation, Ellen was awarded Wild Birds Unlimited’s Save the Song Birds Hero award in her first year of owning the shop. “For me, it just made sense that I spend more time working with organizations that directly provide habitat and manage habitat and education because that’s huge here at the store too,” she said. “I think one of the most beautiful things about our customers is how much they genuinely care. They genuinely care about the birds, they genuinely care about the squirrels, they genuinely care about the insects that are in their yard.” Ellen loves that birds are often a gateway for people to grow in their love and appreciation for nature and all it offers. “You can really awaken a sleeping giant just by taking them on a bird walk,” she said. As the Foundation’s newest board member, she said she’s just getting her feet wet but is eager to bring her energy and enthusiasm to the organization. She sits on the fundraising committee and is excited to grow in that role because it suits her and her strengths. “I’m not afraid to reach out to people,” she said. “One door closes, but there’s going to be five more doors I can open. I’m not afraid to do the work.” Since joining the board, Ellen has learned more about the Foundation’s mission and goals and now that she’s learned the ropes, is ready to roll up her sleeves - she has a lot to give. “I have tons of ideas and tons of drive to do things,” she said. “I am just an overflowing pot of energy.” We are so grateful to have Ellen, a natural collaborator and dedicated supporter, on our Board and look forward to putting her positive energy to good use.

(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.

(Photo by Anthony Schalk) Thanks to a $5,000 Nicor Gas Environmental Stewardship Pillar Grant we received, the river views around the Forest Preserve District’s Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon will be a little more picturesque and ecologically sound. The project will enhance the viewshed and restore native plant communities in the preserve, said Judith Wallace, land management coordinator for the District. The grant funds will be used to remove invasive brush and overseed the work areas with native plant species. “The ability to start managing additional acreage utilizing outside funds is a true gift,” Judith said. To ensure the project met conservation, education, and recreation needs, Judith consulted with staff who work at Four Rivers.  The goal is to make more places useful for public and education programs. Improving biodiversity at the site begins with removing invasive brush.  Follow-up treatments to ensure it doesn’t return can be time consuming and labor intensive.  Finally, overseeding the work areas with beneficial, native plant species gives them a head start to get established so they can out-compete any new, woody growth.  Timing for overseeding is weather-dependent and yields the best results when spread over snow. If it can’t be completed this winter, it will be postponed until the end of the year. “I am often stopped by the public to chat about the work we are doing and am always thanked for creating such a beautiful space for them to visit,” she said. “The habitat restoration work funded by the Nicor grant complements work previously completed with a donation from Pembina Pipeline Corporation.  These additional investments allow the Forest Preserve District to double the amount of habitat restoration work completed at Four Rivers,” said Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation of Will County. “A wider array of plant life attracts a broader range of wildlife such as insects and birds,” Judith said. Folks from near and far travel to Four Rivers to take in the views and watch wildlife.  We know these investments make a difference and we hope you do, too!

Selfies from participants in the Be a Trailblazer experience, which is one of the many things The Nature Foundation is sponsoring in 2026. No matter how you enjoy your Will County preserves this year, The Nature Foundation of Will County helps make it better. We’ve allocated over $100,000 to restore natural areas and enhance visitors’ experiences in the preserves and visitor centers – and we’re just getting started! As the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s nonprofit partner, we receive donations from the public as well as businesses and other philanthropic organizations to help achieve our mission – to support and celebrate the Forest Preserve District’s preservation, conservation, education, and recreation priorities in perpetuity. We support the Forest Preserve District’s programs and activities that protect nature, inspire discovery, and bring people and nature together. Last year, we provided over $260,000 to help advance the District’s priorities. “We exist to help give you more of what you love about the Forest Preserve District,” said Tara Neff, the Foundation’s executive director. The Forest Preserve District exists to protect and enhance Will County’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. Thanks to two private donors who love and value nature, we’re able to provide $35,000 to help the District increase the amount of restoration work they’re able conduct in 2026. Because we support the District’s work in so many ways, we help make the preserves a destination for everyone, no matter their interests. “I think getting a diverse group of visitors in the door is part of the continuum of getting people into the Forest Preserve. We are more than just trails and paths and trees,” says Lydia Pond, The Forest Preserve District’s director of visitor services. “The education and recreation opportunities we provide broaden horizons, broaden preserve access, broaden who comes through the doors.” We help the Forest Preserve District reach more people in more ways. At Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook we’ll help get interpretive signs installed around the nature center and Hidden Lakes Trout Farm. Museum staff at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville will purchase new historical clothing and hats for the facility’s hat shop, new storage supplies for the museum collections, and interpretive items for temporary exhibits and displays. They’re creating a new Zen space in the alcove on the front porch and we hope you’ll have a seat in one of the new Adirondack chairs we’re providing. Natural and cultural exhibits are another way to connect people to nature. That’s why we’ve been supporting their installations at visitor centers since our beginning almost 12-years ago.  Our additional funds allow staff to bring in high quality exhibits, even as the costs continue to climb each year. We’re supporting exhibits at Plum Creek Nature Center and Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in 2026. The Forest Preserve District’s newly redesigned nature education website for children and families, WillysWilderness.org , will also benefit from our continued support. And we’re bringing back two popular recreation programs that incentivize getting outside, Woods Walk and Be a Trailblazer .  We’ll help provide care for the District’s animal ambassadors and fund additional STEM/STEAM equipment and supplies at the visitor centers. Each visitor center determines whether to grow a collection, supplement educational materials, or replace worn-out equipment. Our funds allow the flexibility interpretive staff need to meet evolving needs. “We are in tune and aligned with each other,” says Pond, of the relationship between the Foundation and the Forest Preserve District. “The Foundation amplifies the mission of the Forest Preserve.” While the year-end fundraising campaign fell short of our goal, we will work throughout the year to bring additional support to all the things you love about the Forest Preserve District. Ready to help?  Visit our donation page or mail your gift to The Nature Foundation of Will County at the Sugar Creek Administration Center .

(Photo by Amy Roberts) There are so many reasons to visit the Forest Preserve District’s Monee Reservoir and The Nature Foundation of Will County just added another! With a gift from Earthrise Energy, visitors will find respite from the sun under a new shade structure that was just installed over the visitor center’s patio. The Nature Foundation of Will County received a $50,000 grant from Earthrise Energy, an independent power producer with plants in Crete and Manhattan. The donation was the largest one-time gift approved in Will County for the Rise Grant program , which was developed for company to invest and partner with local non-profits that serve people where the company has operations. The 248-acre Monee Reservoir is open year-round, and its visitor center , which includes a concession stand and bait shop, is open from March through October. The preserve is a hotspot in the summer, said Heather Van Zyl, the Forest Preserve facility supervisor for the site. Popular activities include fishing and boating, and there are two picnic shelters to rent as well as trails to explore. The District hosts public programs and events as well as scout groups, youth camps and after-school fishing clubs throughout the year, but the preserve is particularly busy in warmer months, when all recreational pursuits are available. During the summer, paddling programs are popular, and it’s common to see people boating on the 46-acre lake and fishing along the shore. The addition of a shade structure has long been on the wish list for the preserve, VanZyl said. The patio adjacent to the visitor center is the perfect spot to host programs and for visitors to relax and enjoy the views of the water. “Having shade enhances how we are able to use the space,” she said. “It makes it more user-friendly by allowing a reprieve from the sun and heat, which can be the difference between folks being able to visit us or not depending on their sun sensitivity and other health conditions.” The new shade structure isn’t the only recent improvement at Monee Reservoir. A bike repair station was also recently installed with financial support from The Nature Foundation’s donors, including the Joliet Bicycle Club . The preserve may not be the first that comes to mind for biking, but Van Zyl said they often have long-distance cyclists stop there to take breaks. Because Monee Reservoir has latrines and a concession stand, it offers a nice place for them to rest and refuel before they continue on their way.  Having a bike repair station available is another way the Forest Preserve can accommodate them on their visits. “Cycling is one of the many recreation opportunities we encourage,” she said. “A repair station keeps cyclists safe on the trails and roadways by giving them a chance to repair bikes in an emergency situation or even to provide routine maintenance if they don’t have their own tools.” “We are grateful for the support from Earthrise Energy and the Joliet Bicycle Club for investing with The Nature Foundation to make improvements at Monee Reservoir,” said Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation of Will County. “We believe outdoor recreation is essential to connecting people to nature.”

Interpretive signage will be installed at Hidden Oaks Nature Center with funding from the Vulcan Materials Company Foundation. The Nature Foundation of Will County secured a gift from the Vulcan Materials Company Foundation to install teaching gardens at the Forest Preserve District’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook. Thanks to the $5,000 donation the landscape got little more colorful and a lot more informative. The donation was used to add native plant gardens and interpretive signs that improve wildlife habitat and educate visitors about the ecological value of native plants, said Angie Opiola, the facility supervisor at the nature center. To help simplify, “native” means the grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees that evolved or adapted to our local climate and soil for thousands of years. They are beneficial to the ecosystem because they provide food and shelter for wildlife, plus they require less water and maintenance than many non-native alternatives once they are established. At Hidden Oaks, the new plantings are complemented by colorful signs that educate visitors about the wildflowers as well as the kinds of insects and other animals they might attract. “Since it is an education garden, there were some big ideas we wanted to get across,” Opiola said. “Not only did we want pretty plants and grasses and flowers, we also wanted to convey meaningful ecological messages with our gardens.” The project includes three garden spaces, Opiola said. The first is an introduction to milkweed as well as the animal species — monarchs and more — that rely on it. The second space is a larger garden with stepping stones that encourage visitors to have a more interactive, engaging experience. The final space is a rainbow garden — both figuratively and literally. Opiola said the garden includes plants organized in colorful bands to mimic a rainbow. A sign in the garden will explain how different species are attracted to different plants and how some are attracted to certain colors. For example, bees prefer yellow, while hummingbirds are attracted to red. The self-guided design allows visitors to enjoy the gardens whether or not the nature center is open, sort of like an outdoor exhibit. “Everything you need is outside, and the signs will guide, inform and instruct,” Opiola said.   Visitors will find reference guides as well as magnifying lenses and critter containers so they can learn more about what they are seeing.   “The Nature Foundation’s mission is to support and celebrate Forest Preserve District’s priorities. Vulcan Materials Company Foundation helped us give you more of what you love,” said Tara Neff, executive director of the Foundation. Vulcan Materials Company, which previously quarried dolomite limestone at what is now Whalon Lake, has invested more than $17,000 with The Nature Foundation since 2022.  Their gifts helped the Forest Preserve District install more benches on the trails at Whalon Lake and Hidden Oaks Preserve, as well the “School of Rock” educational and wayfinding signs at Whalon Lake. Stop by Hidden Oaks Nature Center this summer to see the newly installed gardens and learn more about the life they help support.

An aerial view of Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve. (Photo by Chad Merda) The Nature Foundation of Will County secured a $20,000 grant from Union Pacific Railroad to help restore and protect some of Will County’s rarest and most diverse natural habitats. Braidwood Dunes and Savanna and Nature Preserve in southern Will County is the focus of increased restoration efforts thanks to the grant from Union Pacific , which has operations in Illinois, including in Will County. The habitat restoration focuses on invasive shrub control in the wet sand prairie and shrub swamp natural communities found at the preserve, said Nick Budde, ecology coordinator for the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The goal of the project, which will conclude in spring 2026, is to enhance and expand the native plant communities in the work area, Budde said. One of the primary tasks is controlling invasive shrubs, because they can overrun the area and crowd out native species if not consistently controlled. The grant from Union Pacific allows the Forest Preserve District to complete restoration work that was planned but could not be completed because of budget constraints. “Without this grant support, these stewardship activities would have been delayed or scaled back,” Budde said, explaining that this is particularly valuable because it allows the District to prevent backsliding on previous progress and maintain momentum of the high-priority habitat management. This grant-funded restoration will occur in wetter areas of the preserve, where prescribed fire does not always carry through from other areas, Budde said. Using techniques other than fire are necessary to support the health and resilience of the rare native species found in these areas. Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve includes a variety of sand-based natural communities that support a wide range of native plants and animals, many of which have specialized requirements only found in these ecosystems, Budde said. Because of the rarity of habitats and the site’s ecological integrity, the preserve protects several species that are listed as threatened or endangered in Illinois, Budde said. This includes the state-endangered Blanding’s turtle, king rail and flat-leaved bladderwort, as well as the state-threatened ornate box turtle, black-billed cuckoo and tubercled orchid. “Despite being surrounded by a landscape dominated by invasive species and fragmented from other portions of the historic dune-and-swale system, the preserve remains one of the highest-quality examples of native sand prairie, savanna and swale habitats in northeastern Illinois,” Budde said. The planned work is part of larger restoration efforts at the nature preserve. Budde said the work builds on and supports the Forest Preserve District’s broader conservation goals by maintaining restored areas, expanding habitat management into additional high-priority locations and protecting the investment in past restoration work. This is just one more example of how The Nature Foundation provides support for the Forest District’s preservation and conservation priorities.

Program coordinator Amy McNeil (left) and interpretive naturalist Sara Russell look at pelts at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. (Photo by Jen Guest) The Nature Foundation provided funds to the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Isle a la Cache Museum to purchase 19 new fur pelts – which include fur from beavers, otters, coyotes, bobcats, minks, ermines, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels and skunks. The pelts help bring history to life at many of their public programs and field trips. “Just one of the many ways we use pelts during field trips is to help students learn all about the 18 th -century fur trade when Potawatomi People traded fur pelts for pots, beads, blankets and other goods from French voyageurs,” said Sara Russell, an interpretive naturalist at Isle a la Cache. During a field trip called The Trade , students are divided into two groups and instructed to make equitable trades.  After the first round, students learn why some furs were more valuable than others.  Feeling the fur for themselves, students understand why a beaver pelt was more valuable than a rabbit’s — and not just because it was larger. The beaver’s thick, waterproof, winter fur made it one of the most valuable commodities in North America. “This was the currency here for a good chunk of time. This was the early American economy,” said Jenna Krukowski, an interpretive naturalist, adding that coins and paper currency had no value to the Native Americans who lived in Illinois Country, which included what is now Will County. Krukowski said having tangible objects like furs and blankets — and more importantly, having enough for everyone to use — keeps the group engaged and interested throughout what might otherwise feel like a long lecture. And the pelts aren’t only useful for historical programs and field trips. Program coordinator Amy McNeil said they are also beneficial for teaching people about wildlife that lives alongside us today. “I’m always amazed by how naturally people are drawn to them,” McNeil said. “There’s something about the sensory experience of feeling different textures — whether it’s a baby or an adult, everyone seems to connect with it.” The tactile experience also helps visitors grow their knowledge of wildlife because they can see and feel the colors and textures, said Krukowski, adding that kids often get a kick out of one of our most common and familiar animals — squirrels. In today’s digital world, simply touching animal pelts can create a memorable experience. After all, most people don’t get the chance to walk up to a beaver or a coyote and touch its fur.   This is just another (safe) example of how The Nature Foundation supports the Forest Preserve District’s programs and activities that protect nature, inspire discovery, and bring people and nature together.

Jim Flax serves on board of The Nature Foundation of Will County. (Photo by Tara Neff) Though you might not guess it from his quiet demeanor, Jim Flax has a lot to say —especially when the conversation turns to his wife, Kayla, their “six-plus children” and one grandson. His face lights up as he talks about their many interests and accomplishments, and he seems especially proud when he considers how their childhood values continue to guide their lives. As outdoor enthusiasts, the couple took their children fishing, hiking, sledding and painting in local preserves. Their lives were shaped by curiosity, exploration and love for the outdoors. Flax believes that nature provides formative experiences — offering lessons no classroom can provide — and brings peace from living life simply and intentionally. Flax met Kayla in college, where he studied English and art. The pair were what he called “punk rockers.” His love of art, nature and history may not seem like the most straightforward path to a career in the financial world, but he found his first job out of school at Chicago Mercantile Exchange to be pivotal. “Numbers didn’t really make sense until my first job at the Exchange,” he recalled. “It finally made sense. Everything must come out equal.” After a tenure at Goldman Sachs, Flax made the move to TradeStation in 2017. Since then, he has moved into a more creative role in the compliance section, where he regularly works with the marketing team and creates training curriculum. Flax says he never tried to blend his profession with his passions. The separation, he believes, is a good thing. His work provides financial stability for his family and his passions feed his soul. Serving on the board of The Nature Foundation brings those threads together — an opportunity to give back, steward what matters and ensure future generations can foster the same connections that sustain him. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s conservation, education and recreation priorities — three pillars that echo his lifelong values. He sees the results of these investments everywhere: the trails and waterways that provide hiking and fishing opportunities, school programs that shape young minds and the historical preservation that ties past to present. He volunteers with the Crete Park District and is a member of the Crete Historical Society, and he strongly believes that if more people understood how these organizations make Crete a great place to live, they would feel inspired to become involved themselves. Flax says, “We have a wealth of resources, and that make this a better place not only now but for the future. This is how you raise healthy families.” Conservation protects the places families explore. Education invests in the next generation. Recreation strengthens both the body and spirit. These aren’t luxuries — Flax sees them as essential for strengthening communities. He knows that bringing attention to these benefits helps people understand what is available and how they can get involved. Flax hopes to inspire others to cherish the simple things — to get outside, continue learning and contribute generously. In a world that often feels rushed and complicated, he believes that when families make time for nature and invest in their community, they grow strong, happy and whole.