All are welcome to join us for our Winter EcoWalk at Les Arends Forest Preserve. This is a fully accessible, intergenerational event. We will focus on winter birds, winter tree identification, and the health of our Fox River.

Les Arends, a small preserve in Batavia, protects over 3,600 feet of Fox River shoreline. The paved Fox River Regional Bike trail runs the length of the preserve, and several floodplain islands provide excellent habitat for fishing. Additional paved trails form a loop along the river that we have used before on our EcoWalks. Outcroppings of dolomite bedrock can be seen at various points along the trail, adding a picturesque charm to the landscape. Les Arends is partly wooded, with some nice specimen of White and Chinkapin Oak. Mill Creek feeds into the Fox River in the southern portion of the preserve.

Les Arends Forest Preserve is off Route 31, north of Mooseheart Road and south of the city of Batavia. Questions? Email Jeff Mengler.

Organizer for this event: Earth Stewardship Team

(Posted 1/20/26. Source: Jeff’s 1/19/26 email.)