Seven ways to use the forest preserves to stay fit   Over the past few decades, researchers have been learning much more about the effects of nature on our health and wellbeing. Here are seven suggestions for how to use the Forest Preserve District’s 68,000 acres, 300 miles of trail and billions of doctors, psychologists and spiritual advisors* to stay healthy.   *Figure includes fresh breezes, rays of sunshine, bluebirds, oak trees, sunflowers and butterflies.

by Forest Preserve District President Toni Preckwinkle   I'm a native of Minnesota. It's a state known for its wild landscapes and outdoorsy folks, so I learned from an early age to appreciate nature and the joys of a spontaneous summer picnic.   What many don’t realize is that right here in thoroughly urbanized northeastern Illinois, people can picnic a stone’s throw away from some of the Midwest’s most beautiful and biologically rich landscapes.

At roughly 15,000 acres, the Palos Preserves in southwest Cook County represent the largest concentration of preserved land in the Forest Preserve District’s holdings, with some of the largest and highest-quality natural areas in the District’s portfolio. The volunteers of the Palos Restoration Project have been working with the District for more than two decades to restore habitat for native plants and animals. Their work includes everything from clearing invasive brush to serving on trained crews for prescribed burns.

by Forest Preserve District President Toni Preckwinkle   As Cook County Board President, my responsibilities run the gamut from balancing budgets to public health to making intersections safer. As the president of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, it's also my duty to oversee the wise stewardship of the county's nearly 69,000 acres of open space.   Municipal governments have so many critical tasks to accomplish that it's not uncommon for some to view preserving the environment as something "nice to do" rather than a necessity. That's especially true during difficult economic times.

Beaubien Preserve is named for the first hotel owner in Chicago.   Beaubien Preserve is named after Mark Beaubien, a French Canadian who established the first hotel in Chicago, on Lake Street. Also known as Beaubien Woods, the preserve is a popular fishing spot on the far south side of Chicago.