Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve is jointly owned by the villages of University Park and Park Forest, the Forest Preserve District of Will County, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The Commission manages the Woods as a whole—a single, unified, and dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve providing habitat for native plant and animal communities.

Funding for the operation of the Preserve and Nature Center comes from annual contributions (monetary and in-kind) by member agencies, program fees, grants, and donations. Click here to download a form you can use to make a donation to the Management Commission.

The bare bones Commission budget has no extra money for needed Nature Center building and preserve improvements.

The Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m.