DuPage forest preserves offer ways to connect to nature

DuPage County forest preserves provide many ways to connect to nature, including boating, fishing, hiking, biking or picnicking.

Some of the best places to relax and recharge are in Naperville at Springbrook Prairie, McDowell Grove and Greene Valley forest preserves.

The 1,832-acre Springbrook Prairie is home to one of the few state-designated nature preserves and land and water reserves in the county. These high-quality areas create a grassland bird community that's home to meadowlarks, dickcissels, grasshopper sparrows, woodcocks and bobolinks as well as state-endangered northern harriers, short-eared owls and Henslow's sparrows.

Visitors can explore Springbrook Prairie along a seven-mile federally designated National Recreation Trail, which is open to hikers, bikers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers.

A narrower two-mile mowed trail offers closer views of the natural features, but bicycles are not allowed.

Springbrook Prairie has several great picnicking spots, too, including a reservable shelter, and an off-leash dog area for visitors with permits. Springbrook Prairie's main parking lot, trailhead and off-leash dog area are on the north side of 83rd Street, a half-mile west of Book Road. Additional parking and the model-craft area are on the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road.

The West Branch DuPage River flows through the 465-acre McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, providing fishing opportunities and attracting waterfowl and shorebirds such as egrets and great blue herons. It features mature woodlands, open fields with eastern bluebirds and Cooper's hawks, and a floodplain forest with towering butternuts and black maples.

The preserve also has nearly seven miles of trails and two reservable picnic shelters and areas.

McDowell Grove's maples put on a spectacular show of colors in the fall. The West Branch Regional Trail winds through the preserve, providing links to four additional preserves.

Visitors can fish the 22-acre Mud Lake and along the West Branch DuPage River, where they also can launch canoes or kayaks.

The preserve is on the east side of Raymond Drive, just south of Diehl Road.

The 1,388-acre Greene Valley Forest Preserve is home to more than 540 native plant species, making it one of the county's most botanically diverse sites. On weekends May through Oct. 27, its 190-foot-tall scenic overlook provides a bird's-eye view of the landscape and the Chicago skyline. It's a great spot to picnic or look for migratory birds.

The overlook is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. Greene Valley has several spots for picnicking and an off-leash dog area for visitors with permits. It also offers 12 miles of marked trails, picnic shelters, an off-leash dog area, a model craft area, a youth-group campground and more.

Summer and beyond

DuPage County's forest preserves offer many great ways to connect to nature, including the programs near Naperville. For a complete list of events plus maps, information of plants and animals, and forest preserve district news, visit dupageforest.org.

Archery Open House

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3

Where: Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville

Details: Learn about equipment, try some of the basics with a certified instructor, and talk to representatives from local archery groups at this fun family event. All ages; under 18 with an adult. Free. No registration.

Bird Walk

When and where: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 4 at St. James Farm; 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 13 at Fullersburg Woods; 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 18 at Greene Valley; 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 27 at Blackwell

Details: Naturalist-led hikes to see how the diversity of birds changes from summer to fall. Ages 18 and up. $3 per person in advance; $5 at the walk. Register by calling (630) 850-8110.

Twilight Hike

When and where: 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Greene Valley; 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 29 at Blackwell; 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Greene Valley

Details: Experience the transition from daylight to twilight, and learn how to use your senses like a nocturnal predator. Ages 2 and up; under 18 with an adult. $5 per person. Register by calling (630) 933-7248.

Volunteer Restoration Workday

When and where: 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 10 at Springbrook Prairie; 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 14, 21, 28 and 29 at Springbrook Prairie.

Details: Help improve a prairie or woodland by collecting seeds or removing nonnative plants. Ages 8 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register by calling (630) 206-9630 at least five days in advance (10 days for groups of five or more).