The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County invites fans of Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn to help win $2,500 for the center by providing ornaments and voting for its owl-themed tree in this year’s Cantigny Community Tree Program.
The Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) fundraising arm of the District, is leading the effort. People can either “Gift an Owl” by donating glass, porcelain or feathered owl ornaments to decorate the tree or “Make an Owl. Take an Owl.” With this second option, supporters first download an owl pattern from www.dupageforest.org/owlbehome and then use felt and other materials to make two ornaments, one for the Friends’ tree and one for home. All owls are due by Oct. 31. Donors can drop them off at three locations: Willowbrook Wildlife Center at 525 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center at 3609 Spring Road in Oak Brook and District headquarters at 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton.
The Friends then encourages everyone to visit the Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny at 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton Nov. 30 – Dec. 29 to vote for the Friends tree. The tree that receives the most votes will win $2,500. For Cantigny hours and parking fees, call 630-668-5161.
Willowbrook Wildlife Center is the District’s native wildlife rehabilitation and education center. It is open year-round to help visitors learn about DuPage County’s wildlife and is the permanent home of Tonka, Juno, Otis, Ayesha and other injured native owls. For more on Willowbrook, call 630-942-6200.
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.
Media Contacts: Audra Bonnet, Office of Public Affairs, 630-871-7549
Bonnie Olszewski, Office of Public Affairs, 630-871-6402
News Release Date: Oct. 7, 2013
