DeKalb students and residents will have the opportunity to explore the county’s forest preserves through a road tour/treasure hunt in May.

Oaken Acres Wildlife Center, Sycamore, and Russell Forest Preserve’s Natural Resource Center, Genoa, will be hosting the first Tour DeKalb on May 4 to raise money for the two not-for-profit organizations.

The tour will involve teams that will visit all nine of DeKalb county’s forest preserves, Oaken Director Kathy Westfall said.

The teams will travel by car and can contain up to five adults, she said. At each of the stops, they will have to solve a puzzle or riddle, she said.

To ensure the teams stop at every stop, they will also have to collect items such as answers or clues to place in a bag, Westfall said. The bags will be checked for all the items at the end of the tour, she said.

The tour will end at Russell Forest Preserve, Westfall said. The winners will be judged on their answers to the puzzles and riddles, she said.

The profits from the tour will come directly from the $40 participant entry fee, Westfall said.

“At Oaken Acres, we take in injured or orphaned animals, treat them and release them back into the wild,” Westfall said. “The money we receive from the tour will purchase food for those animals.”

Westfall said the purpose of the Natural Resource Center is to promote a better understanding of natural education. The tour proceeds will be put towards all of their education programs, she said.

Team awards will be based upon their sponsors, Westfall said. Separate awards will be given to teams sponsored by corporations, student organizations and individuals, she said.

“The awards have not been decided yet,” Westfall said. “We’re considering trophies for the corporation teams and something like sweatshirts for the others.”

Anyone interested can contact Kathy Westfall, 895-9666, or Ken Bowden 784-2000.