Outdoors

Illinois 4-H partnered with Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) to help turn the tide by planting more than 900 oak trees in 38 counties this spring.

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County's Youth Kayak Fishing Program will provide new opportunities to youth.

Forest preserves throughout Will County offer opportunities to get onto the water and experience nature up close. Kayak Kollege programs will be scheduled throughout the summer.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County acquires all-terrain wheelchair to help those with disabilities more easily explore its trails.

“It’s not like they come out of the ground and you hear this gigantic, deafening sound. They need time to complete their life cycle," said Nancy Kuhajda, program coordinator at the University of Illinois Extension in Will County, in describing the emergence of cicadas.

Connect with nature and friends new and old on a women’s camping weekend Friday, May 31 to 10 a.m. Sunday, June 2

Warm weather season means more time spent outdoors. It is also time for ticks to be out more and everywhere. Changes in climate are leading to an increase in the ticks and the potential for unwanted diseases.

Join a naturalist on a morning walk in the woods to search for feathers. Expect to see migratory birds and summer residents returning home on a Mother's Day program Sunday, May 12.

Healing Gardens at Stone Hill Farm in St. Charles will kick off the 2024 season on Mother’s Day, May 12.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County will host several educational programs the week of May 13 and May 20.

Besides particle physics research, Fermilab has also long provided a habitat for American bison. The Fermilab herd currently consists of 24 cows and two bulls.

Joliet will host its Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 26 at Carl Sandburg Elementary School. Residents may fill out a request for planting a parkway tree by going to the city’s website.

Growing plants from seed can be magical and it’s easy.

Take part in the inaugural Four Rivers bird photography competition. Submit your picture of a migratory birds at McKinley Woods.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is celebrating the summer of the cicada by selling a T-shirt emblazoned with the buzzy bug and the words, “Be Loud, Be Proud.”