The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County invites supporters of Willowbrook Wildlife Center, it’s wildlife rehabilitation and education facility, to help the center earn $5,000 through the Robert R. McCormick Museum’s “Community Trees” program at Cantigny Park at 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.
Seven nonprofit organizations have decorated holiday trees that will be on display within the museum Nov. 26 – Dec. 30. Each participating organization will receive a $2,500 grant, and the group that receives the most votes for its tree will be awarded an additional $2,500.
Willowbrook’s “Owl Be Home for Christmas” tree features generously donated ornaments from wildlife lovers across the county. The owliday-themed tree was inspired by the center’s resident owls — Tonka, André, Juno, Ayesha and Otis — who teach countless visitors about wildlife. The grant will support Willowbrook and the thousands of injured native animals it treats each year.
Visitors may see the trees on free guided tours offered Tuesdays through Sundays, Nov. 26 – Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the McCormick Museum. The museum will be closed Nov. 28 and 29 and Dec. 24 and 25. Cantigny’s “Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival” on Saturday, Dec. 7 also offers viewing during an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Entrance to Cantigny Park requires a $5 parking fee.
Additional owl ornaments will be on display at Willowbrook Wildlife Center at 525 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center at 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook and Forest Preserve District headquarters at 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton. For more information, visit dupageforest.org/owlbehome.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County owns and manages 25,000 acres of prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Each year its 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers and scores of programs welcome over 4 million visitors. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube pages.