Sugar Creek Administration Center/Preserve

05/08/2026

Monarch butterflies are returning to Will County. The first sighting was reported April 22nd in Shorewood so you may see them in your area any day now. You can track their migration and report your own sightings through Journey North.

We're charting migrations this season, announcing when a variety of species hit major milestones on their travels north. Follow along to see when monarchs make their appearance locally. 

05/01/2026

How much do you know about squirrel tails? Here are a few facts that you might not know.

05/01/2026

May is Bicycle Safety Month, and we are holding a trail safety event so cyclists can get their bikes ready for riding season. Dust off your bike and bring it to Sugar Creek Administration Center for an inspection and a ride on the trail. Coffee and refreshments will be available.

Trail Safety: Bike Safety Edition
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9
Where: Sugar Creek Administration Center

5/9/2026: Catch our Forest Preserve police and outreach team on the trails, where they will be offering themed safety tips, activities and giveaways.

04/24/2026

Before you fire up the mower this spring, take a quick look around your yard—you might have some tiny neighbors hiding in plain sight.

Cottontail rabbit nests often look like small patches of dead grass, but underneath are baby rabbits tucked safely away. If you find one, try not to disturb it. The mother is likely nearby and returns only a couple times a day to keep them safe from predators. Keep pets away and mow carefully around the area. The babies grow fast and will be on their own in just a few weeks, so a little patience can go a long way in protecting them.

Before you cut your grass, it's a good idea to give your yard a once-over to look for rabbit nests. These nests often look just like a small patch of dead grass, but the babies are just under the surface, leaving them vulnerable to lawnmowers.

04/17/2026

Ospreys are truly fascinating birds!

They can be found almost all over the world—everywhere except Antarctica! In the United States and Canada, they’re mostly migratory, while in places like Florida, they live year-round.

You’ll usually spot ospreys near water, especially around shallow rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, and reservoirs. Keep an eye out—you might just see one soaring overhead or diving for fish!

Osprey or eagle? Learn what sets the osprey apart from other birds of prey.

04/10/2026

A new season is here! How much do you really know about spring? Here are a few fun facts you might not know

1. It may be spring here, but it’s not spring everywhere in the world.

2. Spring doesn’t start at the same time in every location.

3. “Spring fever” is actually a real thing.

4. It’s a season of celebration in many cultures.

5. Spring marks the start of a major growing season.

When it comes to spring, there's so much to love. But there's also probably a lot you don't know about our most-anticipated season.

03/20/2026

Winners will be chosen monthly, and each monthly finalist receives a $75 MasterCard gift card. The 11 finalists' photos will vie for top honors in January 2027 via public voting on the District's page, with the first-place winner receiving a $500 gift card; second place, $250; and third place, $150. Three random drawings also will be held for all contest participants and those three winners will each receive a $75 MasterCard gift card. The deadline to enter this month’s contest is March 31.

2/1/2026-12/31/2026: Calling all amateur shutterbugs! Your photos from the preserves could win you the top prize, or one of the monthly prizes, in our Preserve the Moment photo contest.

03/13/2026

Bald eagles are one of America’s most majestic creatures, serving as the national emblem of the United States since 1782.

Once endangered, the bald eagle is now flourishing across the United States and was removed from the U.S. list of threatened and endangered species in 2007.

Here’s some offbeat facts about bald eagles that you probably didn’t already know.

(Photo courtesy of Laurie's Trail)

From eagle eyes to Benjamin Franklin, dive into these offbeat facts.

03/06/2026

Trees that do not lose their leaves are said to be marcescent, and it is most common among certain kinds of trees.

In the fall, the changing of the seasons means deciduous trees shed their leaves. But not all deciduous trees seem to get the memo when it comes to losing their leaves.

02/28/2026

About 90% of the world's sea otter population lives off the coast of Alaska, including around some of the state's national parks, according to the Department of the Interior. Additional populations of sea otters live off the coast of California, mainly between San Mateo County in the San Francisco Bay area and Santa Barbara County, which is north of Los Angeles.

Discover the unique traits of sea otters and see how they compare to their local cousin, the river otter. 

02/20/2026

Historically, they've been more common in warmer areas of the southeastern United States, but they've been able to tolerate colder northern climates, in part because of the increasing use of bird feeders in winter months.

The days have become noticeably colder and shorter, and food supplies have become more scarce for many birds. But you can keep birds visiting your yard all year long by providing the right foods.