Bid on rare ways to connect with nature at 'A Night for Nature' benefit Sept. 20

Bid on the opportunity to help train a bobcat or join a prescribed burn during a live auction at "A Night for Nature: A Benefit for Wildlife and Wild Areas" from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Danada House, 3S501 Naperville Road, Wheaton.

The Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, a 501(c)3 organization, is hosting the benefit to raise funds for wildlife rehabilitation and habitat restoration in DuPage.

The evening includes dinner and silent and live auctions.

Tickets are $100 per person ($900 per table of 10) and are available at www.dupageforestgiving.org/night-for-nature through Monday, Sept. 10. For more information, call (630) 933-7097.

Guests can bid on rare experiences at Willowbrook Wildlife Center, such as participating in a training session with the resident bobcat or woodchuck that includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the center; or being part of a butterfly or wildlife release.

Other experiences on the auction block include participating in a prescribed burn or an electrofishing demonstration, searching for freshwater mussels in the West Branch DuPage River, or attending the Wayne DuPage Hunt Club's "Blessing of the Hounds" or a simulated fox hunt.

"Please attend our special night for nature and discover a new aspect of what your Forest Preserve District has to offer!" said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore. "From existing offerings to special projects, there is something for everyone to connect our busy lives to nature."

Proceeds from the benefit will support the Forest Preserve District's Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn and its Natural Resources department.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center treats more than 10,000 native birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians each year.

It's the only publicly funded wildlife rehabilitation facility in DuPage County and one of the few in northeastern Illinois equipped to treat native and migratory birds.

The Forest Preserve District's Natural Resources department works to create habitats that sustain and preserve native plant and animal communities in DuPage prairies, wetlands and woodlands.

"Restored habitats create areas where plants and animals can thrive and provide improved urban services, such as clean air and water and greater stormwater management," said Scott Hardek, the Friends' board chair. "Together, we contribute to a sustainable environment that enhances the quality of life for ourselves and our children."

The benefit is the Friends' first event fundraiser since publicly launching in 2013 and the first Forest Preserve District benefit to support both its wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years.

More than 4 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers and scores of programs each year.

For information, call (630) 933-7200 or visit www.dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the district's e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.