We use the terms soil and dirt interchangeably, but they are not one and the same. Dirt is one component of soil, which is a complex mixture of several components.
Daddy long legs are one of the most venomous spiders in the world? Not so, but the rumor has been circulating for generations.
The old saying "busy as a beaver" is no joke. Beavers are among the most industrious animals on Earth, and they put their skills to good use.
Of the 40 wildcat species in the world, just the bobcat lives in Illinois, and even its existence here is a surprise to many people.
Birds stand on one leg for one simple reason: to help them stay warm.
If you think about large, imposing birds that we see soaring above or perched on high while scanning for a meal, raptors like hawks and eagles probably come to mind. Maybe even owls. But there's another kind of raptor we see that can be just as imposing — falcons, three species of which can be seen in Illinois.
To understand the circle of life and how all living things are connected, it’s important to understand ecosystems.
We usually only have one vulture species in town, but in places where their ranges overlap, turkey vultures and black vultures can be difficult to distinguish from one another.
A look at some of our feathered friends you may start seeing return as spring creeps in — if you haven't already.
It's migration season. Here's a look at who stays, who goes and who’s just dropping in.
Robins are among our most common and familiar birds, known to almost all even at a young age. But there's more to them than meets the eye.
Not all the plants and animals that grow and thrive in their ecosystems belong there. Some are non-native, and among those are some that are considered invasive.
Why do some animals prowl around under the cover of darkness? Because it helps them survive and thrive.
Have you ever been lucky enough to spot a snowy owl? Learn what makes these owls such a prized find.
The sight of a squirrel zipping up, down and all around our trees and forests is a familiar one to most people, but the zany antics of these critters can be the work of one of two species: fox squirrels or gray squirrels. Learn the difference between them.
Think you're doing the deer a favor by feeding them in winter? You're actually doing them much more harm than good.
We use the terms soil and dirt interchangeably, but they are not one and the same. Dirt is one component of soil, which is a complex mixture of several components.
Daddy long legs are one of the most venomous spiders in the world? Not so, but the rumor has been circulating for generations.
The old saying "busy as a beaver" is no joke. Beavers are among the most industrious animals on Earth, and they put their skills to good use.
Of the 40 wildcat species in the world, just the bobcat lives in Illinois, and even its existence here is a surprise to many people.
Birds stand on one leg for one simple reason: to help them stay warm.
If you think about large, imposing birds that we see soaring above or perched on high while scanning for a meal, raptors like hawks and eagles probably come to mind. Maybe even owls. But there's another kind of raptor we see that can be just as imposing — falcons, three species of which can be seen in Illinois.
To understand the circle of life and how all living things are connected, it’s important to understand ecosystems.
We usually only have one vulture species in town, but in places where their ranges overlap, turkey vultures and black vultures can be difficult to distinguish from one another.
A look at some of our feathered friends you may start seeing return as spring creeps in — if you haven't already.
It's migration season. Here's a look at who stays, who goes and who’s just dropping in.
Robins are among our most common and familiar birds, known to almost all even at a young age. But there's more to them than meets the eye.
Not all the plants and animals that grow and thrive in their ecosystems belong there. Some are non-native, and among those are some that are considered invasive.
Why do some animals prowl around under the cover of darkness? Because it helps them survive and thrive.
Have you ever been lucky enough to spot a snowy owl? Learn what makes these owls such a prized find.
The sight of a squirrel zipping up, down and all around our trees and forests is a familiar one to most people, but the zany antics of these critters can be the work of one of two species: fox squirrels or gray squirrels. Learn the difference between them.
Think you're doing the deer a favor by feeding them in winter? You're actually doing them much more harm than good.
See the dazzling spectacle of nesting herons, egrets and cormorants at our weekly bird viewings at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve.
Turn this summer into a summer of adventure with weekly explorations at Monee Reservoir and Plum Creek Nature Center.
Catching lightning bugs is a summer rite of passage, but do you know how these bugs light up? Or why?
Participating in No Mow May isn't just a way to cut down on your yardwork for a month. You'll be helping bees and other essential insects too.
Forget "Snakes on a Plane." There are snakes in Asia that can fly without any help from an aircraft.