(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — They say "leave no trace" when you're out in nature.
The Forest Preserves of Cook County wishes visitors would follow that directive.
People visiting forest preserves have always built structures out of logs and fallen limbs. In Cook County, officials are seeing more of this, with some of makeshift forts being pretty elaborate.
District spokesperson Carl Vogel says people may not realize that dead wood on the forest floor plays a vital role in the life cycles of several creatures.
Also, he said, seeing a hand-made fort tends to take something away from taking a walk in the woods.
It’s great, he said, that people are enjoying nature during the pandemic, when many locations have been closed or restricted.
Staff and volunteers have been spending more time dismantling the structures.
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