Half Day Forest Preserve

Half Day provides the opportunity to see the powerful effects of water and fire. Prior to settlement by Europeans, human and natural caused fires were an important disturbance that helped shape the natural communities we find along the Des Plaines River. As a result, Half Day, which is situated west of the river, supports the oaks and prairie plants that thrived under fire’s influence. Though many natural areas at Half Day were degraded by farming, some survived and others are being restored.