Dupage Policy Journal

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Tuesday to celebrate an ambitious $25.5 million master plan project for Willowbrook Wildlife Center, transforming the center into DuPage Forest Preserve District’s first net-zero-designed building.

The project includes a 27,000-square-foot wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center, allowing visitors to view animals through one-way windows and video monitors as they are examined, treated, in surgery, being fed, and rehabilitated. It also features new animal rehabilitation areas, an outdoor classroom, an interpretive trail with wildlife observation areas, and outdoor activity spaces that demonstrate how to attract and live in harmony with native wildlife.

Outdoor animal exhibits and the butterfly garden and pond area will close near the end of the year for construction of the new clinic and visitor center. The animals from the outdoor exhibit area will move to their new homes, and access to nature trails will be limited only through the neighborhood for safety reasons. This is expected to begin in early 2023.

The new facility aims to support Willowbrook’s existing non-releasable animals by housing them in enclosures best suited to their needs. Video monitors will showcase select animals as well as those in rehabilitation enclosures.

The building is slated to be one of the first net-zero facilities in DuPage County, producing more energy from renewable resources than it consumes annually. The high-performance facility will include a geothermal heating and cooling system and energy-efficient features throughout. Solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity will produce electricity for the building and be visible to visitors for educational purposes.

The new clinic and visitor center are expected to open in mid-2024, with the entire project anticipated for completion by 2025. Wildlife rehabilitation will continue uninterrupted throughout the project.

The District is using $22 million in general obligation bonds to help fund the project while pursuing an additional $3.5 million in grants. Thanks to generous donors and Friends of the Forest Preserve District, $3.7 million in private donations is already available to support the project. The nonprofit Friends group offers additional opportunities for public contributions through its website.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center is a nationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation facility providing care and medical treatment to approximately 10,000 sick, injured, or orphaned native wildlife annually. Operated by the Forest Preserve since 1956, Willowbrook supports the District’s Blanding’s turtle captive-rearing program and serves as an environmental and wildlife education resource for the public.

All operating expenses at Willowbrook are funded by the Forest Preserve District and private donations; no state or federal funds are received for operations.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for over 100 years. More than 6.2 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers, and numerous programs each year.

For information call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org where you can link to the District’s e-newsletter or social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

"We strive to connect all people to nature," stated a representative from DuPage Forest Preserve District. "We're committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while providing facilities free from discrimination or harassment."