The Forest Preserve District manages over 26,000 acres across DuPage County making it one of the largest and most significant landholders in the region. The majority of residents live within minutes of protected land without realizing it.

The preserves include prairies, wetlands, savannas, rivers, lakes, and meadows, many of which are rarer than forests in Illinois. Some ecosystems here are among the most endangered in North America.

There are areas intentionally kept unmanicured and undeveloped to allow nature to function on its own. These spaces may look “messy” at first glance, but that messiness is often a sign of ecological health.

When residents see controlled burns, it can be alarming—but fire is a critical ecological tool. It restores native plants, supports pollinators, and prevents invasive species from taking over.

The preserves are home to state-listed plants and animals, including sensitive bird species, amphibians, and native pollinators. Some of these species survive in only a handful of places left in Illinois.

While preserves are protected, long-term preservation requires active governance, legal safeguards, and public oversight. Protection isn’t something that happens once, it’s something that must be maintained.

No admission fees. No tickets to enter. No purchase required. In an era where almost everything is monetized, the forest preserves remain one of the few spaces where access is universal.

The Forest Preserve District manages education programs, habitat restoration, cultural sites, historic structures, and recreational amenities—from fishing and canoeing to environmental education for schools.

Much of the District’s most important work happens behind the scenes: invasive species control, water management, soil restoration, and long-term ecological planning that takes decades, not election cycles.

Forest preserves help reduce flooding, improve air and water quality, cool urban heat, support mental health and provide refuge during extreme weather, benefits most residents experience without realizing where they come from.