Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center

09/02/2026

🔅🔅🔅
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is putting on a spectacular show at Fullersburg Woods right now! This native wildflower’s brilliant red blooms are hard to miss, and they’re more than just beautiful—here are a few fun facts about this local favorite:

• A hummingbird magnet: Cardinal Flowers rely almost entirely on hummingbirds for pollination. Their bright red color and tubular shape are perfectly designed for these tiny, high energy visitors.

• Wetland specialist: You’ll usually find Cardinal Flower growing along streams, wetlands, and other moist areas. Its presence is a great indicator of healthy, clean water.

• Late-summer standout: While many plants are winding down for the season, Cardinal Flower blooms from mid to late summer, providing much-needed nectar when other flowers are dwindling.

• A true Illinois native: This species is naturally found across the state, adding bold flashes of red to prairies and woodland edges.

Come take a walk and see these stunning blooms for yourself—they’re at their peak right now!🌹🌹🌹

08/12/2026

Spotted at Fullersburg Woods! 🐝🌼
Look who’s buzzing around our prairies and woodland edges—the rusty patched bumblebee, one of Illinois’ most important and most endangered pollinators!

This little bee is easy to recognize by the tiny rust‑colored patch on its back. Despite its small size, it plays a big role in keeping our native plants healthy and thriving.

A few fun facts:

• The rusty patched bumblebee was the first bumblebee species in the U.S. to be listed as endangered (2017).
• They’re amazing pollinators—using a special technique called buzz pollination that helps plants like wildflowers, berries, and tomatoes produce fruit.
• Rusty patched bumblebees were once common across the Midwest, but their range has shrunk more than 90% due to habitat loss, pesticides, and disease.
• Seeing one here is a sign that the diverse habitats at Fullersburg Woods continue to support critical wildlife.

If you spot one, enjoy from a distance and let them do their important work. Every sighting helps us better understand how to protect this species!

Have you seen any pollinators out on the trails lately? Share your photos or stories below! 🌿📸

08/11/2026

08/05/2026

A sweet surprise on Salt Creek!

Look who we spotted paddling through Fullersburg Woods — a line of baby ducklings swimming right behind their adult guide.

Moments like this remind us how full of life the Forest Preserve is.

Keep your eyes open on the trails… you never know what you’ll see next! 🦆💛

08/04/2026

Join us at Fullersburg Woods this Thursday for Forest Invaders! Learn how to identify common invasive and aggressive plant species as well as how to combat them in your own backyard from expert naturalists. The hour-long hike begins at 6pm in front of the Nature Education Center at 3609 Spring Road.

Registration is $5 per participant. For ages 18 and up.

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/fpddc/activity/search/detail/23981?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Graue Mill and Museum

08/02/2026

Update: Spring Road is now open

🚧 Spring Road Closure Notice 🚧 August 2, 2026

Spring Road is currently closed between Graue Mill & Museum and the Fullersburg Nature Education Center.

You can still visit both locations!

• Fullersburg Nature Education Center is accessible via 31st Street.
• Graue Mill & Museum can be reached by parking at the lot located at Spring Road & York Road.
• Both facilities remain fully reachable by walking the trail that connects them.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We hope to see you at Fullersburg Days!