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The Nature Foundation of Will County is proud to support the programs and activities that enhance visitor experiences at Hidden Oaks Preserve.

Fishing derbies have become a time-honored tradition at the Forest Preserve District of Will County, and The Nature Foundation of Will County helps support the summertime fun thanks to its continued partnership with the Vulcan Materials Company Foundation.

In 2025, volunteers donated more than 12,750 hours of service to the Forest Preserve, allowing the District to expand its habitat restoration efforts and connect with more people through educational and recreational programs and events.

The Nature Foundation of Will County donated $55,545 to the Forest Preserve District of Will County on May 14 to support preserve restoration, public programs, exhibits and visitor amenities across Will County.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is dedicated to connecting people with nature, but at a few select preserves, it’s the region’s cultural history that is at the forefront. One such preserve, Isle a la Cache, includes the Forest Preserve District’s only museum.

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 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.

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 Nature Foundation of Will County is helping expand outdoor learning opportunities at the Forest Preserve District’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, thanks to generous support from Sgt. Tommy’s Kids.

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!

With a gift from Earthrise Energy, visitors will find respite from the sun under a new shade structure that was just installed over Monee Reservoir visitor center’s patio.

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.

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.

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.

As the 501(c)3 charitable partner of the Forest Preserve District of Will County, The Nature Foundation of Will County supports its priorities that protect nature, inspire discovery and bring people and nature together.

Woods Walk is one of many Forest Preserve programs and initiatives supported by The Nature Foundation of Will County.

Scout Thomas Yancey of Minooka decided he wanted his Eagle Scout project to benefit the Forest Preserve District and is the latest recipient of a Serve Will County grant.

The Nature Foundation of Will County received $35,000 from CITGO’s Caring for Our Coast grant program to fund additional restoration efforts at Romeoville Prairie Nature Preserve, which includes the globally rare dolomite prairie.

Thanks to our partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corporation, The Nature Foundation is supporting the Connecting Kids to Nature Scholarship program to help high poverty schools take advantage of the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s nature education programs.

The website aims to inspire discovery about the natural world and was created for kids and the adults who spend time with them — parents, grandparents, teachers and more.