The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District was established in 1940 to provide recreational opportunities, to preserve and restore our natural plant and animal life for both public enjoyment and education, and for the protection of our natural heritage.

          In all seasons, the DeKalb County Forest Preserves offer a wide variety of activities in beautiful settings. Take a walk through Russell Preserve, beneath mature oaks and hickories, surrounded by woodland wildflowers. The Natural Resource Center, also at Russell Preserve, is open to the public on weekends and can be reserved by school groups and other organizations for outdoor educational field trips. Or visit Afton Preserve to see native Illinois prairie plants blowing in the breeze, part of a prairie and wetland restoration there. Fishing is an ideal activity at Knute Olson Jr. Preserve, where two ponds lie nestled in the woods and along the Kishwaukee River.

          At one time, Chief Shabbona and the Potawatomi Indians lived in the Chief Shabbona Preserve, the historical marker along the trail tells of their time here. 1500 acre Shabbona State Park is adjacent to Chief Shabbona Preserve.  For a feeling of great open space for picnicking, hiking, or a game of softball, try Nehring Preserve. Fish the Somonauk Creek in summer or toboggan in winter at Sannauk Preserve.

          Along the banks of the Kishwaukee River, MacQueen Preserve offers a large lodge to organize a wonderful time with a family reunion or recreational group.  Adjacent to MacQueen Forest Preserve is the 300 acre Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve on the north side of the Kishwaukee River and on the south side of Kishwaukee River is the 600 acre Kishwaukee River State Fish and Wildlife Area.

          Adee’s Woods provides an area for a picnic and a walk through the woods. If biking or snowmobiling is your interest , try the Great Western Nature Trail, which starts in DeKalb County and extends through Kane County to the Fox River Trail. The DeKalb/Sycamore Trail links the DeKalb Park District Trail from Lions Park on DeKalb’s south side to Sycamore and the Great Western Trail. County Farm Woods links the DeKalb Sycamore Trail as a great rest stop along your way. Merritt Prairie offers 56 acres of rolling terrain with native prairie and wetland restorations as the outstanding features of this park. Wilkinson/Renwick Marsh preserves wetland habitat and is an excellent area to listen to and view wildlife.

          Conservation Activities: The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District manages areas in the Forest Preserves to preserve the natural resources within. Protection and encouragement of wildlife habitat, nesting areas, Native Illinois Plant communities and ecosystems are concerns of the District.