Nestled just beyond the town of Byron, across the Rock River, and across thousands of acres of prairie and forest, lies a gem that is making a lasting impact on the community—especially on its youngest members. At the heart of this natural treasure is Janet Dahlberg, a passionate advocate for outdoor education and the longtime steward of the Byron Forest Preserve. For Janet, the forest preserve isn't just a job—it's a calling.

“I grew up around Ann Arbor, Michigan,” Janet recalls with a smile, “but Byron has become home for me.” She wasn’t always a prairie enthusiast, though. With a background in marine science, she first imagined her career tied to the ocean, studying sponges and algae. “Believe it or not, I started out wanting to be a marine scientist. I even spent time working at the Miami Metro Zoo,” she laughs. “But life brought me here, and I fell in love with the prairie ecosystem.”

That love wasn’t instant, though. As Janet transitioned from oceanography to outdoor education, there was a learning curve. “I had to learn everything about the prairies from scratch,” she says. “I still can’t name all the wildflowers, but I’ve come to appreciate how unique and fragile this ecosystem is.”

It’s that passion for the outdoors that Janet now passes on to the next generation through her work with the Byron Forest Preserve’s educational programs. “Our goal is to give kids a hands-on, positive experience in nature,” she explains. “We want them to remember catching minnows in the creek or learning about dragonflies, not just from textbooks but from being out there, getting their feet wet.”

Janet’s enthusiasm has fostered a strong relationship between the preserve and the local schools. “We have most of the elementary classes out here at some point during the year,” Janet explains. “This week, the second graders will be wading through the creek to catch macroinvertebrates like mayflies and crayfish. They get to be scientists for the day, studying water quality and learning about pollution.”

But it's not all data collection and charts. “Let’s be honest,” she says with a grin. “The kids love splashing around more than anything. Some stay dry, but most end up soaking wet by the end of the day. They might not remember the exact scientific names of the bugs, but they’ll remember how much fun they had—and that’s what sticks with them.”

The preserve also partners with local kindergarteners, who get to experience nature through simpler activities like making apple cider and going on nature hikes. “We try to involve every grade,” Janet says. “By fifth grade, students are ready for a three-day environmental education program, and we even have astronomy sessions during the winter months.”

Janet’s approach to education has evolved over time. She remembers when schools and nature centers were obsessed with incorporating screens and technology into every lesson. “I’m glad we’ve moved away from that,” she says. “There’s nothing quite like the tactile experience of being outdoors, of feeling the breeze and hearing the birds. We’ve realized that what really excites young people about nature is the hands-on experience—not looking at it through a screen.”

When asked why outdoor education is so important, Janet becomes thoughtful. “There have been countless studies that show kids do better when they’re exposed to nature,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be a vast wilderness—small school gardens or urban parks work too. But that exposure helps them calm down, focus, and take some peace into their own lives.”

There’s also a more long-term, practical side to her work. “Kids who grow up appreciating the prairie are more likely to support conservation efforts when they’re older,” Janet explains. “They’ll remember the fun they had at the preserve, and when a tax initiative comes up to expand the forest preserve, they’ll be more inclined to vote for it. So, it’s not just about education—it’s about preserving these places for future generations.”

The Byron Forest Preserve is unique in its setup. Unlike other preserves in Illinois, which are often managed at the county level, the Byron preserve operates as a separate district. And as Janet points out, they benefit from the support of the Byron Nuclear Plant, which contributes a significant portion of the area’s tax revenue. “It’s a win for us,” she says. “We get to invest in preserving the land and educating the community, all thanks to the resources that come from the plant.”

The preserve isn’t just a resource for Byron—it draws visitors from across the state. “We have people who come here from all over, especially because we have the biggest tree in Illinois,” Janet says proudly. “It’s a massive cottonwood, standing over 125 feet tall. People love hiking out to see it, and the preserve is perfect for that kind of eco-tourism.”

As she reflects on her 25 years at the preserve, Janet can’t help but feel grateful. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with the prairies, but now I can’t imagine leaving,” she says. “This is home.”