Donation to Will County Forest Preserve Helps Fund New Exhibits Coming In 2018

The Nature Foundation donated $5,000 to the Will County Forest Preserve on Thursday, October 12. Their generous contribution will help fund three travelling exhibits coming to the forest preserve in 2018.

The first program is "A Salamander Tale," at Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township from March 1 to May 31. This 13-week program is a 300 square foot standing exhibit that teaches children what makes a salamander a salamander, how amphibians differ from reptiles and how they can help protect salamanders. The exhibit also features a a video game where the player can guide a hellbender through a river environment by eating fish and avoiding fish hooks. The second exhibit is "National Park Quilts Exhibit", from June 17 to July 3 at four Forest Preserve visitor centers. This exhibit features many different style quilts that depict different national parks. The third is "Bee-lieve it or Not! The Secret Lives of Bees," coming to Plum Creek Nature Center from September 1 to November 30. This exhibit will teach kids what makes a honey bee a honey bee, why pollination is important and about the different threats to honey bees.

"The Nature Foundation is excited to be a part of bringing these fun, educational and unique traveling exhibitions to the residents of Will County," said Cindy Harn, the Nature Foundation's executive director. "But, we couldn't do any of this without support from our donors. We hope that visitors enjoy each of these exhibitions and, in doing so, deepen their understanding of, and appreciation for, nature."

According to an article by the Will County Forest Preserve, this is the third year the nonprofit foundation has donated money to the District. Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve's chief operating officer, commented on the donations by the Nature Foundation and said, "The Nature Foundation is helping to create some wonderful opportunities for our Will County community."