Grant Creek Prairie Nature Preserve

Nestled in the confluence of the Des Plaines, DuPage, Illinois, and Kankakee Rivers, are a patchwork of remnant prairies that have survived against all odds in the Four Rivers area of Will &amp; Grundy Counties. What was once an uninterrupted landscape of prairie as far as the eye could see, is now a constellation of fragmented sites whose survival hangs in the balance. Home to countless threatened and endangered species, this imperiled ecosystem needs our help. Although these sites have the highest legal protections in the state, they are not spared the degradation that comes from insufficient management resources. Volunteer support can make a life-or-death difference that no land owner or government agency can do alone. The Four Rivers Peregrines will be a new volunteer steward community dedicated to restoring and preserving the remnant prairies of Will &amp; Gundy Counties. Modeled by two communities of “The Peregrines” in the Chicago area, the Four Rivers Peregrines will travel to ecologically important prairies to do targeted restoration work.Might you be inspired to make a difference for nature near you? Everyone has a role to play - learn to chop brush, collect seeds from native plants, and become intimately familiar with the landscape and help provide the specialized care needed to save these prairies for future generations.What to wear: Long sleeves and pants in natural fibers like cotton or wool and close-toed shoes you don't mind getting dirty. Work gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.What to bring: Yourself &amp; your friends! All tools will be provided.RSVP to fourriversperegrines@gmail.com or at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4i8d1X2%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAcGRvZgFicmlkETFNWTZMMnVrS1BsR1cyUGpWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHigE6NPDFQA-SG_OctWSoHH5oASXIpIWP4h6eVhRmpj5W6KZ8NW0lp-zs55y_aem_Q7W_fO65zrIusswk6d-iIA&amp;h=AUCRXosg3dv9FtmcM4mKcCCvGeMx6WtQlDixBOEpa-wUMGfkyjo7jYJuK0laQV-ytwgOrZrzQ71yl4cYYq5w3WYW1NhGXAbG_ZfLueXqNGUDkDNqaPVo4VlfuhE9YRnC8AAQJrKs5oO09wnL5-Nen7N-7lez1Sam&amp;__tn__=q&amp;c[0]=AUAU5cf0RJjJD_QuqVMN0chVk3BP7Uy-pZXjHkeq2_CDhgfedgHfki4oMfEmAb8jvnczE6IudOuGWoMVPbaow1u6fiT-2vpfNoUcJMbYyWimhaEa41-bVBJ1cKh1VaIuCUGgYCLitfCDArRQU80pJG-W3SMt4uwOyDc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/4i8d1X2</a>

Local Event: Kickoff a Stewardship Community @ Grant Creek Prairie

Will County

Wilmington

Illinois

Kickoff a Stewardship Community @ Grant Creek...

Nestled in the confluence of the Des Plaines, DuPage, Illinois, and Kankakee Rivers, are a patchwork of remnant prairies that...

Kickoff a Stewardship Community @ Grant Creek Prairie

Jessica Villarreal

Will

John Ferak

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Channahon-Minooka

Lauren Traut

Manhattan

Joliet

Shorewood

New Lenox

Andrea Earnest

Homer Glen-Lockport

Emily Rosca

Plainfield

Mokena

Frankfort

Romeoville

Forest Preserve District of Will County, Sugar Creek Administration Center

The Forest Preserve District of Will County's fall <a href="https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/be-a-trailblazer-campaign" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Be a Trailblazer</a> experience is underway!
The first mission drop landed on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and the second will come during the week of Nov. 1.
Each drop includes a combination of GPS-based missions in preserves, photo missions and trivia questions. Some photo missions must be completed at specific locations, while others can be done anywhere outdoors.
Missions will be sprinkled across more than a dozen locations.
The fall session of Be a Trailblazer runs through Saturday, Dec. 12. To join, download the free Goosechase app to your smartphone and search for 2026 Be a Trailblazer or enter the code JYBKK4.
Prize pool
Participants are randomly selected to receive prizes funded by <a href="https://www.willcountynature.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Nature Foundation of Will County</a> and donated by more than 30 local businesses. Nearly 200 prizes worth more than $15,000 will be awarded during the 2026 challenge.
Foundation-funded items include a Fitbit Charge 6, Yeti Roadie 48 cooler and Bonfire 19-inch Solo Stove. 
Donated items include bird-feeding prize packs from Wild Birds Unlimited in Joliet, gift cards from West52 BBQ in Shorewood, wine from Goat &amp; Vine Restaurant and Winery, and golf passes from Prairie Bluff Golf Club in Crest Hill and X-Golf in Shorewood.
For more information, visit <a href="https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">ReconnectWithNature.org</a>.

Local Event: Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience

Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer...

The Forest Preserve District of Will County's fall Be a Trailblazer experience is underway!
The first mission drop landed on...

Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Jessica Villarreal, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Kickoff a Stewardship Community @ Grant Creek Prairie

OCT

17

9:00 AM

Grant Creek Prairie Nature Preserve, 24001 Lorenzo Rd, Wilmington, IL

Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience