Champaign County Forest Preserve District

10/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Buffalo Trace at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve on Monday, Oct. 12, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day Service Learning!

We started the morning at the Museum of the Grand Prairie, where Public Program Specialist Morgan Duerksen-Balk gave an educational presentation exploring Illinois’ prairie landscape, Indigenous cultures and their relationships with the land, and the cultural and historical shifts that transformed how these lands were inhabited, managed and understood over time. The presentation also highlighted Indigenous land stewardship practices, including prescribed fire and seed collection, and their significance to understanding the land and conservation today.

From there, we headed to Buffalo Trace, where participants worked alongside our Natural Resources team to collect native seeds for future prairie restoration and enhancement projects throughout the forest preserves. A special shoutout to Natural Resources Director Phil Borsdorf, Specialist Eric Perry and Technician Calvin True for helping make the service-learning activity possible.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this opportunity to learn, reflect and contribute to the stewardship of our natural areas.

10/12/2026

Thank you to the team at Pavlov Media for volunteering at the forest preserves on Thursday, Oct. 8! They helped dig up Canna bulbs for winter storage and remove invasive bush honeysuckle. We appreciate their time and hard work helping care for the forest preserves!

10/09/2026

The main road at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve is now open to through traffic!

Update - Friday, Oct. 9: the main road is open to through traffic!!

Road closure at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.
The streambank stabilization project begins tomorrow, Wednesday, September 16 — starting then, the main road through Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve will be closed to through traffic until further notice.

The closure is for the Sangamon River Streambank Stabilization project, just north of the Covered Bridge. For project details and scope, visit: https://www.champaignforests.org/About/About-CCFP/Projects-Planning/Lake-of-the-Woods-Streambank

Watch this page for updates as work continues.

10/08/2026

Happy Oaktober! Did you know that oak savannas are now some of the rarest oak ecosystems not only in Illinois, but the entire Midwest? Historically, oak savannas occurred all across the natural Illinois landscape. Today, the Champaign County Forest Preserves manages a 10-acre savanna restoration area adjacent to the North Waterfowl parking lot at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve. C’mon out to see our gigantic bur and white oaks!

10/08/2026

There are so many refreshing fall programs and events to discover this month at Champaign County Forest Preserves. Check them out at champaignforests.org/events

10/07/2026

The Handiwork Market is just around the corner, and we're excited to highlight a few of the artists who will be part of this year's event. Check out their work below and start planning your visit. Join us Sunday, October 11, from 1 - 4 PM at the Museum of the Grand Prairie to shop handmade goods and support local creativity. All are welcome!

10/05/2026

Get a sneak peek at some of the talented artists who will be joining us at the Handiwork Market! Browse the photos below to see a sample of the handmade items that will be available. Find even more local artists and makers on Sunday, October 11, from 1 - 4 PM at the Museum of the Grand Prairie. All are welcome!