Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is a governmental agency headquartered in Wheaton, Illinois. Its mission is to acquire and hold lands containing forests, prairies, wetlands, and associated plant communities or lands capable of being restored to such natural condition for the purpose of protecting and preserving the flora, fauna and scenic beauty for the education, pleasure and recreation of the citizens of DuPage County.The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County was established in 1915, when voters cast ballots to protect against the removal of woodlands. For its first year of operation $8,000 was appropriated to create, manage and maintain the removal of woodlands. County supervisors who governed the District spent the next two years working out operating details for the fifth county forest preserve district in the United States. In 1917, the first tax levy was made, and the first preserve land was purchased: 79 acres in Oak Brook, called York Woods. Today, the Forest Preserve District owns or manages nearly 25,000 acres and has an annual operating expense of approximately $65 million.
The District owns and operates over 40 various preserves containing 31 lakes, 145 miles of trails and over 1,400 picnic tables. The preserves offer outdoor enthusiasts opportunities to enjoy theur favorite open-air activities, such as birdwatching, boating, camping and fishing, picnicking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, bicycling or hiking.