What Will County Forest Preserve does

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is a local government agency, established in 1926 and organized under Illinois law, that acquires, protects, and manages natural open space within Will County. The district oversees 24,000 acres of preserved land organized around six major preserves (Hickory Creek, Hidden Oaks, Goodenow Grove, Lake Renwick, Monee Reservoir, Whalon Lake), six regional trails (Centennial, DuPage River, Hickory Creek Bikeway, Old Plank Road, Rock Run Greenway, Wauponsee Glacial), and five visitor centers (Four Rivers, Hidden Oaks, Isle a la Cache Museum, Monee Reservoir, Plum Creek). It offers outdoor recreation (hiking, boating, fishing, camping, canoeing, kayaking, dog parks, picnicking), environmental education programs (school field trips, in-school and virtual programs, youth group camping), and conservation management (prescribed burns, restoration, conservation easements).

The district's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with direct-to-consumer public access through self-serve channels: physical preserves and trails, visitor centers, online permit applications, facility rental bookings (including wedding venues), event calendar registration, and education program enrollment. Marketing is multi-channel, spanning themed email newsletters, a broad social media footprint (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn), documentary video content, and gamification campaigns such as the app-based 'Be a Trailblazer' mission program and the Route 66 centennial 'Get Your Kicks Challenge.'

As a governmental entity, the district is primarily tax-funded; supplemental revenue streams include recreation permits (geocaching, picnicking), event and business permits (events, photography, special use), facility rentals, donations and sponsorships collected via the affiliated Nature Foundation of Will County, and branded merchandise sales under the 'Outsider Threads' label. Core technology is not publicly disclosed, and no AI/ML capabilities are evidenced. The district serves Will County residents and visitors, schools and youth groups, event organizers, and volunteers engaged in conservation activity.

Name

Will County Forest Preserve

Legal name

Forest Preserve District of Will County

Website

https://fpdwc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is a government agency that manages 24,000 acres of protected natural land across six preserves, regional trails, and visitor centers in Will County, Illinois, providing outdoor recreation, environmental education, and conservation services to local residents, schools, and visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Land Conservation & Outdoor Recreation

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests) (BPAIAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

Keywords

• Nature preservation services
• Environmental education programs
• Public recreation facilities
• Outdoor trail systems
• Forest preserve management

Headquarters

HQ city

Joliet

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Recreation Permits: Fees collected for recreational activities including geocaching and picnicking permits.
2. Event and Business Permits: Fees for event permits, photography/videography permits, and special use permits for large groups.
3. Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting indoor and outdoor spaces including wedding venues at various preserve locations.
4. Donations and Sponsorships: The Nature Foundation of Will County collects donations to support education, conservation, and recreation programs. Tree and bench program sponsorships available.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including T-shirts, with proceeds supporting Forest Preserve District initiatives.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is a government agency that protects and manages over 24,000 acres of natural land across six preserves, seven regional trails, and six visitor centers in Will County, Illinois. It offers free public access to outdoor recreation (hiking, boating, fishing, camping, picnicking), environmental education programs for schools and youth groups, reservable facility and wedding venues, recreation permits, and conservation land management services. Revenue is generated through permit fees, facility rentals, branded merchandise sales, and donations via The Nature Foundation of Will County.

Product overview

The Forest Preserve District of Will County offers a unified portfolio of nature preservation and outdoor recreation services organized around preserves, trails, visitor centers, recreation activities, and education programs. The core offerings include six preserves (Hickory Creek, Hidden Oaks, Goodenow Grove, Lake Renwick, Monee Reservoir, Whalon Lake), six regional trail systems (Centennial Trail, DuPage River Trail, Hickory Creek Bikeway, Old Plank Road Trail, Rock Run Greenway Trail, Wauponsee Glacial Trail), and six visitor centers (Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Isle a la Cache Museum, Monee Reservoir Visitor Center, Plum Creek Nature Center, Sugar Creek Administration Center). These are supplemented by recreation activities (boating, camping, fishing, kayaking), education programs (field trips, in-school, virtual, youth groups), permit and rental services (events, weddings, photography), special campaigns (Be a Trailblazer, Get Your Kicks Challenge), and conservation management programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Nature Foundation of Will County: The charitable fundraising arm of the Forest Preserve District that supports education, conservation, and recreation programs through donations.

Products and services

• Preserves Protected natural areas across Will County offering public access for hiking, wildlife viewing, and nature exploration; supported by district-wide tax revenues.
• Regional Trails Multi-use trail networks available for hiking, biking, and other outdoor recreation across Will County.
• Visitor Centers Environmental education facilities offering programs, exhibits, exhibits and visitor services such as nature interpretation.
• Recreation Activities Outdoor recreation opportunities including boating, camping, canoeing, kayaking, dog exercising, fishing, and picnicking available at preserve locations.
• Education Programs Nature-based learning offerings including field trips, in-school programs, virtual programs, and youth group programs at visitor centers, targeting schools and youth organizations.
• Permits and Rental Spaces Reservable facilities and permits including geocaching, picnic, events, photo/film, special use, indoor/outdoor rentals, and wedding venues for individuals and businesses.
• Conservation Programs Land management initiatives including conservation easements, agriculture/farm program, prescribed burning, and restoration work that protect and restore open space.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24,000 acres protected from development

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Local Businesses (Get Your Kicks Challenge Sponsors)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDozens of local businesses sponsor the Get Your Kicks Challenge celebrating Route 66 centennial, providing prizes valued at over $15,000 throughout the year.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• The Nature Conservancy (Illinois Chapter): Nonprofit land conservation organization focused on habitat protection, easement acquisition, and restoration. Adjacent in mission to Will County's conservation programs but operates via private philanthropy and easement structures rather than public ownership.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that partners with public agencies on land acquisition and park creation. Relevant as a counterpart/funding partner for conservation easement and land-banking activities rather than as a direct operator.

Regional players

• Openlands: Chicago-area regional land trust focused on green-space protection, trail connectivity, and conservation. Adjacent in mission to the district's regional trail network but operates as a nonprofit, not a public agency.

Direct peers

• Kane County Forest Preserve District: Western Chicago metro forest preserve district with a similar footprint of preserves, trails, and education programs. Comparable statutory authority, permitting, and event venue model.
• McHenry County Conservation District: Northwest suburban Illinois conservation district managing preserves, trails, and nature education. Comparable in mission, public funding mechanism, and recreational program offerings.
• Forest Preserves of Cook County: Largest forest preserve district in Illinois, managing roughly 70,000 acres in the Chicago metro. Directly comparable mandate (preserves, trails, education, permits) and shares the same regulatory and funding framework as Will County.
• Lake County Forest Preserves: Northern Illinois neighbor operating preserves, education centers, and permit-based recreation. Comparable in governance structure, public funding model, and program mix including field trips and special-use permits.
• Forest Preserve District of DuPage County: Adjacent Illinois forest preserve district operating preserves, trails, education centers, and permits under the same Illinois Forest Preserve District statutory framework. Most directly comparable in mandate, scale, and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Park District: Municipal park operator serving the broader Chicago metro with overlapping recreational, event, and education functions, but with a broader urban parks mandate rather than a focused forest preserve mission.
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources: State-level agency overseeing state parks, forests, fish and wildlife, and conservation programs across Illinois. Operates overlapping categories of facilities and regulatory authority but at a statewide, multi-mission scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/intent/follow?source=followbutton&variant=1.0&screen_name=WillCoForests
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WillCoForests
• Facebookfacebook.com/WillCoForests
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/will-county-forest-preserve
• Instagraminstagram.com/WillCoForests
• TikToktiktok.com/@willcoforests

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Will County Forest Preserve