Lake Katherine Nature Preserve and Botanic Gardens

7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights
This nature center and botanic garden offers many opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Lake Katherine provides a nesting area for migratory waterfowl, as well as a refuge for many different species of wildlife. Hike 3.5 miles of trails.

WILLOW SPRINGS

Little Red School House Nature Center

9800 Willow Springs Rd., Willow Springs
The “Little Red Schoolhouse” is part of the historic past of Palos Hills in which it is more or less centrally located. Visit the schoolhouse or follow the paths around the lake.

JOLIET

Pilcher Park Nature Preserve

2501 Highland Park Dr., Joliet
The nature center features small animals like reptiles along with kids' activities. There are hiking and bike trails, playground areas and picnic grounds.

BOLINGBROOK

Hidden Oak Nature Center

201 Recreation Drive, Bolingbrook
Find bluebirds, a raccoon, snakes and other animals while exploring the nature center. Search the exhibits and interpretive signs along the trails for information about savannas, geothermal heating, restoration and archeology.

MONEE

Monee Reservoir

27341 Ridgeland Ave., Monee
Shoreline fishing on a 47-acre lake. Boat rentals and concessions available. Features 2.5-mile hiking trail that loops through a wetland.

BEECHER

Plum Creek Nature Center

27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher
There are hands-on exhibits at the center and other activities. A large window provides an observation area for the bird feeding station. Most children's programming is on weekends.

SOUTH HOLLAND

Sand Ridge Nature Center

15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland
Now you can visit prairies, hike through forest, savannahs and wetlands, see local animal species and exhibits at the center. The trails are soft but usually stroller friendly except in wet weather.

PLAINFIELD

Lake Renwick Heron Rookery in Plainfield

Lake Renwick Heron Rookery is a unique site in Illinois where great blue herons, great egrets, black-crowned night herons, double-crested cormorants, and cattle egrets nest together. The site includes a 200-acre lake with several small islands used for nesting.

The Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Visitor Center offers an opportunity for you to see these birds for yourself during public bird-viewing programs and interpretive hikes. During the breeding season, the Visitor Center and the Preserve are only open during these programs, which take place from May 1 through August 15 on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m., and are free of charge. The Rookery is located on Renwick Road, 1 mile east of Rt 30. For information call 815.727.8700 or visit www.reconnectwithnature.org