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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.

Naperville man wanted to ensure his tractor would be used for education and interpretation Life on the farm isn’t as familiar of a concept today in Will County as it was several decades ago, when agriculture was one of the leading industries in the area, but antique farm equipment recently acquired by the Forest Preserve District aims to help bridge that divide and bring our region’s farm roots to life.  The new antique equipment, a 1939 Model B John Deere tractor and wooden grain wagon, will be added to the collection at Riverview Farmstead Preserve in Naperville . They were purchased from Naperville resident Bruce Roskens, who purchased the tractor in 1990 and the wagon a few years later and has since restored them.   The tractor and wagon were paid for with a $2,500 grant from Target awarded to The Nature Foundation of Will County specifically for the purchase of the equipment, said Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation.   Jen Guest, a Forest Preserve facility supervisor, said the opportunity to acquire these two new pieces came about when Roskens donated a 1940s International Harvester Little Genius plow to the Forest Preserve. At that time, Guest mentioned to Roskens that she was also looking for a tractor to add to the collection, and he offered up the tractor and wagon.   “What’s really cool is the donated plow and the grain wagon have been used with the tractor,” Guest said. “We ended up with a nice set of equipment on display that has agricultural ties together.”  Both the tractor and the wagon are particularly meaningful to Roskens, who grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa. The tractor is the same John Deere model as one owned by his father — and, in fact, is just a few serial numbers off from his father’s old tractor — and the wagon is the exact one once owned by his father, which he brought home in pieces and reassembled.  Roskens has worked on the pieces since acquiring them years go, and he has done much of the work with his two sons. He said the tractor engine and transmission were in surprisingly good shape when he purchased it. After replacing the spark plugs, fluids and some wires and giving it a good cleaning and fresh gas, it fired right up.   “I am happy to say I was able to get a picture of it running with my dad sitting on it before the restoration was complete,” he said. “Dad passed a couple of years later, but we often talked about it while he was still living.”  He originally purchased the tractor while living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he worked for the Quaker Oats Company. Soon after purchasing and restoring it, he was transferred to the company headquarters in Illinois, and he relocated — with the tractor and another piece of farm equipment in tow.   In Naperville, the tractor became a familiar sight in the neighborhood and around the city.   “Our new neighbors in Naperville clearly thought I was nuts, but after giving many children — and some adults — rides around the neighborhood, it was recognized as a fun antique,” he said.  That first year, the tractor made an appearance at the Naperville Labor Day parade, and it’s been a part of many community events since then.   “I was able to give many, many rides for local schools, churches, birthday parties, swim teams, etc. over the years,” he said. “Even our two sons and daughter learned to drive it for parades and events and enjoyed discussing the history of the tractor and wagon.”  At Riverview Farmstead, the new tractor and wagon will be added to a collection of more than 20 pieces of historic farm equipment, some of them dating as far back at the late 1800s, Guest said. The equipment shows the evolution of the modernization of farming, with many of the earliest pieces being horse-powered.   “It’s very neat to see how early farmers and inventors found ways to make farming easier,” she said.    For Roskens, it was important that the tractor and wagon be used for education and interpretation. He serves on the board of the Friends of Danada, a DuPage County organization that promotes the history of the Danada estate. Friends of Danada sponsors educational programs for children, and over the years he’s noticed kids have become less aware of the area’s farm roots and even what farming means.   “During the course of conducting many of those field tours the past few years, it became clearly obvious that young urban children have little knowledge of how crops are grown and how food is produced,” he said.   Roskens also wants people to understand the value of the work farmers do and how crop production and machinery have evolved through the years.   That’s a goal of Guest’s as well. She hopes having these pieces will bring Will County’s agricultural history to life in a place that was dedicated to it for decades. Riverview Farmstead preserves what was the Clow family farmstead beginning in the 1800s. The farm was owned by the Clow family until 1974, and it was named a landmark by the Naperville Historic Sites Commission in 1991. The Forest Preserve acquired the property in 1994.  Guest’s hope is that the tractor and wagon, along with other antique equipment and interpretive pieces in the barn, limestone house and original settlement house, help tell the story of Will County’s agricultural past and that farms are still crucial today.  “Kids understand the static idea of a farm — a place where farm animals live with a barn, a farmer on a tractor and field of corn,” she said. “They don’t necessarily realize that someone is growing their food on a farm, that farming is a whole business that keeps our country viable.”  Having these real, tangible artifacts helps people connect with life on the farm in a way that pictures can’t, Guest said.  “You get a closer look at all the moving parts, the scale of the size of equipment and get a chance to ask questions about how it operates,” she said. “There is something magical about seeing something up close in person.”  The quality of the pieces also speaks to the workmanship that went into crafting them.   “This equipment is so well made it has lasted for decades and even over a century in some cases,” she said. “It’s cool to think these items were used on real farms.”  Guest said she appreciates that The Nature Foundation so willingly supports Forest Preserve initiatives and projects, assisting with funding for exhibits, programs and, as is the case with the tractor and wagon, interpretive pieces.   “They help us supplement our annual budget, filling in gaps while providing an opportunity to expand our services to visitors,” she said.   The grant that paid for the tractor and wagon was the second Target grant received by The Nature Foundation this year. The first, applied for in 2023 and received in 2024, was a $4,000 grant to support volunteer workdays.  Target grants are by invite only, and charitable organizations must be invited to apply. Neff said the opportunity for the grant came about because the Foundation and the Forest Preserve have an existing relationship with Target through a volunteer workday in the preserves that was coordinated for Target employees.

Nature Foundation covers field trip transportation costs for Will County's Title I schools Field trips are a quintessential rite of passage for students, a break from the monotony of the school day and a way for teachers to provide hands-on learning opportunities to supplement lessons in the classroom. For many schools, however, cost can be prohibitive when it comes to scheduling field trips. To help ease that burden, The Nature Foundation of Will County can cover transportation costs associated with field trips to Forest Preserve District of Will County facilities through the Connecting Kids With Nature Bus Scholarship Program . The goal of the bus scholarship program is to remove barriers high-poverty schools face in offering outdoor field trip experiences to students, said Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation. All Will County schools with a Title I designation can apply for scholarship funds of up to $750 per calendar year to cover field trip transportation costs, and the funds are reimbursed to schools after a field trip visit. The idea to offer the scholarships came from Jessica Prince, the facility supervisor at the Forest Preserve’s Plum Creek Nature Center near Beecher. She said other government agencies have offered similar funding programs and offering it at the Forest Preserve makes sense because field trips are such an integral part of the learning process for many kids. “I’ve always been a champion of it,” she said. In the 2023-2024 school year, a handful of schools took advantage of funding from the bus scholarship program. Both Neff and Prince hope to see even more schools apply this school year. Now that the program is in its second year, Prince said she and other facility supervisors are making a concerted effort to reach out to eligible schools to ensure they are aware the funding is available. She is also working to get the information into the right hands in other ways as well. The cost of bus transportation for field trips may be nominal for many families and schools, but not universally so, Neff said. The goal of the bus scholarships is to ease the financial stress of providing these unique opportunities to expand on classroom learning. The monetary constraints of field trips may be felt more at Title I schools, which are schools with a high number of students from low-income households. These schools receive federal funding to help students from low-income households achieve academic standards. For students, field trips are an opportunity for a different kind of learning, Prince said. “The teachers are the customers, but it’s the students who are the benefactors,” she said. Teachers schedule field trips for many reasons, including the opportunity for hands-on learning and to allow for engaging lessons that supplement the classroom curriculum. Educators consider the Forest Preserve staff who facilitate the field trips the experts in the field, allowing students to learn while tapping into a new resource. “There is no duplicating the experience of being outside in the preserves and having those hands-on experiences,” Prince said, adding some students do their best learning in these types of non-traditional environments. Getting outside of the classroom allows for new and different kinds of learning, Neff said. “The kids get to experience with their senses,” she said. “You can touch, you can smell, you can feel. You’re engaging all your senses while you’re learning, which makes it more memorable.” Funding for the program comes to the Foundation from Pembina , a pipeline company with operations in Will County and the surrounding area. In 2023, Pembina has made a three-year, $40,000 commitment to The Nature Foundation that includes money to fund the bus scholarship program, materials for STEM and STEAM activities at Forest Preserve visitor centers and natural area restoration at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.

Funding helps pay for a variety of Forest Preserve District of Will County initiatives The Nature Foundation of Will County is celebrating 10 years of fundraising on behalf of the Forest Preserve District with a check presentation and a fundraiser.  Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff presented a check for $393,450 to the Forest Preserve’s Board of Commissioners at its monthly meeting on Sept. 12. And she also announced a $10K in 10 Days: The Decade Challenge  fundraiser, which runs through Sept. 22. Foundation funding has provided program support, supplies and a wide variety of Forest Preserve enhancements through the years. This is all accomplished by a large circle of people who volunteer their time, energy and money to make the Foundation successful, said Forest Preserve Board Commissioner Julie Berkowicz, who also is a Foundation Board member.  “There’s just an incredible circle of people who are donating in ways you can’t even measure to the Forest Preserve system,” she said during the meeting. “That isn’t recognized enough. It’s a mighty force in the background that has its own little energy.”  The check included a $375,000 donation from the Dollinger family. The money was used for a two-phase, recently completed Lake Chaminwood Preserve improvement project . “The generous Dollinger family donation to the Nature Foundation allowed Forest Preserve staff to create a plan that incorporated short- and long-range goals and made possible a large-scale project completed in two phases rather than having a vision and hoping to secure funding in the future,” Neff said.  In addition to improving Lake Chaminwood, this donation check is being used for the: Annual Woods Walk hiking challenge, which began Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30. " Indige-Facts , " a contemporary Native American exhibit, which opens Sept. 21 at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. " Lost and Found – Remnants of Savannas and Old-Growth Forests " exhibit, which opens Oct. 15 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.  Nature restoration at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, provided by Pembina. The acquisition of a fully restored and functional 1936 John Deer Tractor and Wagon for the Riverview Farmstead Preserve site. The tractor, which was provided by a grant from Target and restored by Bruce Roskens, will made its debut at Fall on the Farm on Saturday, Sept. 14. Bird feeding enhancements at Isle a la Cache Museum.

If you thought you missed your window to add some native plants to your landscape this year, think again. We don’t typically think of summer as planting season, but it’s not too late to add some color to your yard with summer-blooming native plants. Native plants are a good choice for home landscapes because they require less maintenance and upkeep. They are well adapted to our climate and soil because they are meant to grow here. Native plants that bloom from late summer into fall can still be planted later in the growing season. Keep in mind, though, that the plants you add to your yard now might not bloom this year or even next. Native plants can take a few years to grow and become established, so it might take a year or two before the fruits of your labor this summer pay off with colorful displays in your yard. Once they do, though, they will be full of activity, providing food and shelter for all manner of insects plus some birds and other wildlife. Asters Many people love asters because they provide a nice pop of purple or bluish-purple late in the growing season, when yellow can be the dominant color both in the prairies and in the forests as leaves begin to change color. These late-blooming plants are beneficial to pollinators too  because they provide an important food source late in the growing season. Good native aster species to grow in northern Illinois include aromatic aster, New England aster and smooth blue aster. All three bloom from late summer into fall, with some flowers even lingering into November. Aromatic aster and smooth aster both do well in sunny spots, but smooth aster can tolerate part shade. New England aster grows best in spots that get partial shade. Blazing stars Blazing stars, also called gayfeathers, produce spikes or stalks of feathery purple flowers, adding a different texture to your landscape. They can have a long bloom period, with flowers sometimes lasting from mid-summer into October. They will attract a variety of insects and are particularly of value to native bees as a food source. The blazing star family include 45 species, all native to North America. Some good choices for your yard include meadow blazing star, northern blazing star and prairie blazing star. All do best in sunny locales with well-drained soil. Prairie blazing star grows to be the tallest, sometimes reaching heights of up to 6 feet tall. Northern blazing star reaches heights of 5 feet, while northern blazing star typically tops out at 3 feet tall. Goldenrods Goldenrod is the quintessential late-blooming native plant, creating a palette of yellow in the prairies when late summer begins to give way to fall. Goldenrod produces a lot of pollen and nectar, which means it supports a lot of bees, beetles, butterflies, moths and more as the growing season begins to wind down and these food sources dwindle. Among the native goldenrod species to consider for your yard are Ohio goldenrod, showy goldenrod and zigzag goldenrod, all three of which produce clusters of small yellow flowers. Showy goldenrod can reach heights of 6 feet tall, while zigzag goldenrod typically grows to between 2 feet and 4 feet tall and Ohio goldenrod grows to about 3 feet tall. Ohio goldenrod and zigzag goldenrod prefer sunny spots but can tolerate partial shade. Showy goldenrod does best in a spot that gets partial shade. Joe-pye weed If you’re looking for a native plant to take up a lot of space in your yard, look no further than Joe-pye weed. These plants can grow to be more shrublike, reaching heights of up to 7 feet tall and 3 feet to 4 feet wide. They will typically bloom from July into September. Two Joe-pye weed species are good choice for northern Illinois: spotted Joe-pye weed and sweet Joe-pye weed. Plant them in a spot that gets full sun or part shade. They will grow best in moist soil. Spotted Joe-pye weed produces deep pink blooms, while the flowers of sweet Joe-pye weed are a much more pale pink, almost white in color. Milkweeds Milkweed gets a lot of buzz because it is the host plant for monarchs. The caterpillars only eat milkweed plants, and the butterflies only lay eggs on them. Simply put, without milkweed there would be no monarchs. This family of plants — which includes many species native to Illinois — will attract much more than just monarchs, though. Milkweed plants are often buzzing with insect activity, everything from bees to butterflies to beetles, including red milkweed beetles. Among the milkweed plants you can buy for planting this summer include butterfly milkweed, prairie milkweed, swamp milkweed and whorled milkweed. Butterfly milkweed is a bushy plant that produces clusters of bright orange flowers, while prairie milkweed and swamp milkweed produce pink or pinkish-purple bloom. Whorled milkweed produces smaller flower clusters than other milkweed plants, and its blooms are white. All these milkweeds prefer sunny spots, but swamp milkweed and whorled milkweed can tolerate some shade.

Nonprofit has seen success by building community of donors and supporters The Nature Foundation’s first decade of existence has been a fruitful one, and you can see proof of it in the forest preserves across Will County.    Through August 2024, The Nature Foundation has secured more than $1.85 million in support of Forest Preserve programs and initiatives. The support has been expansive, bolstering every aspect of the Forest Preserve’s mission to protect and enhance Will County’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.    “Whatever it is that you love about the Forest Preserve District, we support it,” said Tara Neff, the Foundation’s executive director.     In its first 10 years, the Foundation has donated funds to support natural resources management, preserve and trail amenities, visitor center exhibitions and educational supplies and initiatives. The Foundation also worked with the Forest Preserve District to develop two grant programs — Restore Will County and Serve Will County — to help volunteer stewards, scouting and other youth organizations purchase materials and supplies for their work to improve and enhance the forest preserves.      The Nature Foundation was formally established in 2009-2010, but it initially remained inactive because of the economic conditions in the aftermath of the 2008 recession, said Cindy Harn, who was the Foundation’s first executive director after transitioning from her role as director of Public Affairs and Education for the Forest Preserve District. The  Foundation became operational in 2014, growing and gaining steam over the ensuing decade.     The Nature Foundation’s next era comes with new leadership, with Neff having taken the helm at the end of 2023 when Harn stepped down from her director role.     “The foundation has been laid, and now we can grow,” Neff said.    Neff credits her ability to hit the ground running when she took the reins to Harn’s dedication and hard work over the past decade.    “She breathed life into this organization’s existence,” she said, adding Harn gave her “heart and soul” to the Foundation. “She was never afraid to take on new and different things.”    The Foundation established two main goals at its outset, and the goals are still valid today, Harn said. The first is to take action to ensure it becomes and remains operational, and the second is to take action to create organizational sustainability.     With those goals providing the framework, Harn and now Neff have been able to direct money raised by The Nature Foundation to Forest Preserve programs and initiatives that support the Foundation’s three tenets: protecting nature, inspiring discovery and bringing people and nature together.      “I think the biggest success is that we really have built a community of donors and supporters who value the Forest Preserve, and we’ve given them a way to engage with nature and the Forest Preserve on a deeper, meaningful level,” Harn said.   Forest Preserve District Executive Director Ralph Schultz said he likes to think of The Nature Foundation’s contributions as “the icing on the cake” because they add value to what the Forest Preserve offers the people of Will County and its natural areas.    The Forest Preserve levies taxes and has other revenue to fully fund the operation of the forest preserves and the obligation to meet its mission, and the Foundation enhances those offerings in many ways. For example, when the Forest Preserve builds a trail, the Foundation may secure a donation for or fund the installation of a bike repair station, and when the  Forest Preserve identifies areas for natural resource management, the foundation secures grants or donors to defray the cost of the work.     “They always focus on adding additional value to our visitors or providing funding for something that we would not normally do,” he said.  Harn said the success of The Nature Foundation in its first 10 years is the result of the hard work of many people, including Forest Preserve staff and board members, volunteers and, of course, donors.    “I’m just one of so many that have invested in its growth, making it what it is today,” she said, adding that she appreciates that she had an opportunity that allowed her to get out of her comfort zone and expand her knowledge and skillset. “I’m proud that I had the courage to take this on, and I hope my work with the Foundation has set it on a path to success  and long-term sustainability.”     In the next few years, Neff would like to work to make more people aware of The Nature Foundation and all it does to support Forest Preserve initiatives.     “I’m looking to build relationships, open doors,” Neff said. “I’d like to elevate The Nature Foundation’s profile to help broaden our community of donors and supporters.”   It’s also important to keep the Foundation nimble and flexible so it can capitalize on new opportunities.    “That’s really important as far as how we grow support and our ability to adapt to changing times, the changing environment, and changing donor engagement,” she said.     Schultz said that through the years the Forest Preserve and the Foundation have developed a process to identify projects and initiatives during the budgeting process that the Foundation can support. The Foundation may also present a donation or bequest to the Forest Preserve for consideration to determine whether certain donor conditions can be met.    Both Neff and Schultz hope to grow the relationship between the Foundation and the Forest Preserve to allow both organizations to achieve their respective missions.     “My desire is for the Foundation to continue to expand and provide an avenue for individual donors, other foundations and corporations to enhance, nurture and expand the Forest Preserve,” Schultz said.    Neff plans to spend time in the next few years developing and implementing a growth plan and increasing efficiency in the Foundation’s operations.  The goal is for her to spend more time fundraising and building relationships in the community.    She wants people to see The Nature Foundation as a valued partner of the Forest Preserve District that is committed to supporting its priorities. She said the Foundation exists for one reason — to support the Forest Preserve District — and she takes that mission seriously.     “We are supporting everything that you love about the Forest Preserve District,” she said. “That’s why we’re here. That’s all we do.”