McKinley Woods - Frederick's Grove/Kerry Sheridan Grove

06/13/2026

Fun fact: At any given moment, about 2,000 thunderstorms can be raging across the planet.

The crack of lightning and rumble of thunder can create awe and fear, and here are five things you should know about these forces of nature.

06/06/2026

Most of us don’t give ants a second thought unless an invasion of them happens to be ruining our time outside. However, ants are a critically important part of the ecosystem for several reasons.

Most of us don’t give ants a second thought unless an invasion of them happens to be ruining our time outside.

05/30/2026

Program coordinator Jess McQuown tells us about one of most unique species that lives in Will County.

05/22/2026

Over the years, we've seen far too many instances of wildlife injured by fishing line.

Discarded fishing line continues to injure and kill wildlife across local preserves, prompting a new Forest Preserve campaign. The effort expands cleanup programs and encourages visitors to help remove harmful debris from the landscape.

05/19/2026

There's plenty to love about opossums. Here are just a few fun facts about them:

1. They are immune to venom from rattlesnakes, scorpions and more.
2. They really do play dead — but they have no control over it.
3. They are the only marsupial in North America.

Check out the story linked below to learn more about these critters.

From their appearance to their behaviors, opossums are unique in many ways.

05/16/2026

Frog or toad? There are a few ways to tell the difference.

Frogs and toads are both amphibians, and the differences between them can be confusing and subtle.

05/09/2026

Woodpeckers have a way of letting us know they are around even when we can't see them. Learn more about the woodpecker species that call Will County home.

Woodpeckers are unique in the bird world, and we're lucky enough to have seven species living all around us.

05/02/2026

As part of our Be a Trailblazer campaign, the Meet our Trailblazers series highlights the Forest Preserve District employees who do the work to protect, preserve and enhance your connection with the outdoors. Our Trailblazers make it possible for you to be your own Trailblazer.

Say hello to our next Trailblazer in the series: Operations supervisor Kyle Siegel.

04/30/2026

Join us along the trails at McKinley Woods — Frederick's Grove as we look high and low for birds and blooms. What new things will you discover on this spring exploration? Sign up to find out.

Birds and Blooms
When: 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9
Where: McKinley Woods — Frederick's Grove
Registration required.

5/9/2026: Walk with a naturalist to spot brightly colored warblers in the trees above and vibrant wildflowers on the forest floor.

04/24/2026

It's our latest edition of name this tree.