Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve: Enjoy Peaceful Trails, Beautiful Views of the Fox River, and Excellent Birding

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG  Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve (35W076 Villa Maria Road, St. Charles, IL 60174) is a small, but charming, 65-acre preserve with forest hills, deep ravines, and access to the Fox River. The Sisters of Mercy— an international community of Roman Catholic women religious—owned the property … Continue reading Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve: Enjoy Peaceful Trails, Beautiful Views of the Fox River, and Excellent Birding

Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve Offers Rolling Hills, Great Hiking, Birdwatching, and Much More

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG On a beautiful, mostly sunny day in the mid-70s last September, I was lucky enough to visit three stunning nature areas in Chicagoland: Marengo Ridge Conservation Area (in McHenry County), Coral Woods Conservation Area (McHenry County), and Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve (Kane County). (These are … Continue reading Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve Offers Rolling Hills, Great Hiking, Birdwatching, and Much More

Bluff Spring Fen: A Fen-tastic Nature Experience in Far Western Cook County

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND If you only read one sentence of this entire story, it should be this one: Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve is an amazing place that is at the height of its summertime wildflower show, and you should visit today, tomorrow, or very soon to see … Continue reading Bluff Spring Fen: A Fen-tastic Nature Experience in Far Western Cook County