Virtual Hikes Broadcast Live

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has scheduled its next virtual hike for tomorrow Thursday, September 22, at 1 pm. The hike is part of the Forest Preserve District’s new series of virtual hikes which debuted at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete Township on May 20. Since then, the District has featured live excursions to McKinley Woods in Channahon, Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee, Joliet Iron Works Historic Site and Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve in New Lenox.

Virtual hike locations aren’t revealed until the trek begins, which usually last 30 minutes. The excursions are broadcast live on the District’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/WillCoForests. Users can also view videos of past hikes and notices for future hikes on the District’s Facebook page.

These hikes make up one step further in the Forest Preserve District’s new online efforts, which include 360-degree photos of preserve locations, photo contests and edited videos on different nature topics. The edited videos, some of which use drone footage, provide information about plant species, trails, preserve history and recreational activities.

The District’s Facebook videos have been viewed more than 250,000 times since April. All the new online efforts are part of the District’s mission to bring people and nature together by presenting them with special preserve features they can see on their own without even setting foot in a preserve.