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The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is a nationally recognized conservation agency that envisions a community in which all citizens share a connection with nature and an appreciation for cultural history. As part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center provides native wildlife rehabilitation services for injured, sick, or orphaned wild animals. Historically, the Center has been a pioneer in the field of wildlife medicine and strives to become a state-of-the-art facility that is a national leader in engaging visitors in veterinary science, medical care, and wildlife rehabilitation.

DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center serves as a resource for residents of DuPage County to learn about living in harmony with local wildlife. It champions the interconnection between healthy wildlife and healthy ecosystems to foster and promote safe, healthy, and sustainable communities for all living things.

The new Phase 2 improvements include a new approximately 27,600 sf Clinic and Visitor Center designed to support an efficient and safe rehabilitation process; a variety of Outdoor Rehabilitation Enclosures grossing approximately 27,200 sf to prepare animals for release into the wild; and a renovated 5,400 sf Research and Species Propagation Center to support the captive propagation of at-risk species and research projects that will advance wildlife medicine and rehabilitation.

Designed to fit into the natural landscape, the Clinic and Visitor Center is planned around significant oak and walnut trees on the property. The front entrance features an oak tree that forms a soft separation between the animal intake entry and public visitor entry. Low slope roofs with long horizontal edges provide a low profile to the building while vertical and horizontal textures blend the building into the surrounding trees and grasses. Layers of structure and extended canopies help the profile of the architecture visually dissolve into the forest. Elements of sustainability and wellness are incorporated into the project in addition to features that support healthy wildlife such as bird-friendly glass and screening elements.

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