Sounds of Insects Night Hike
August 9, 2026 | 7:30 P.M TO 9:30 P.M
Venture out on the trail at Thorn Creek Woods at dusk listening for the chorus of nocturnal insects.
Headlines
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Myth buster: Can a cricket really tell you the temperature?
September 1, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThere's no way you can actually rely on a cricket to tell you the temperature, right? Actually, this widely held myth is really true.
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What's the difference?: Green frog vs. bullfrog
August 31, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeCan you tell a bullfrog from a green frog? Here are a few clues to help tell these two similar frog species apart.
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Earbuds out for the latest fitness trend: Silent walking gaining traction
August 30, 2023 | RecreationKeeping up with the latest fitness trends? Then put your earbuds away and enjoy the silence on your next walk.
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Preserves We Love: Lake Chaminwood, for its transformation to tranquility
August 29, 2023 | Preserves and trailsDirector of planning and land preservation Colleen Novander tells us why she loves Lake Chaminwood Preserve.
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Preserves We Love: Kankakee Sands, for its parallels to parenthood
August 24, 2023 | Preserves and trailsRestoration program coordinator Juli Mason tells us why she loves Kankakee Sands Preserve.
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Hop to it with these five grasshopper facts
August 22, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeGrasshoppers are one of our more familiar insects, and this is your chance to learn all about them.
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What's the difference?: Water lily vs. American lotus
August 15, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeNot all those big green leaves growing on the water's surface are lily pads. American lotus can also be found in Illinois waterways. Learn to tell the difference between these two plants.
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Preserves We Love: McKinley Woods, because there's something for everyone
August 14, 2023 | Preserves and trailsGuest services associate Kylee Beckwith tells us why she loves McKinley Woods — Frederick's Grove.
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Odd duck out: Coots share space with ducks, but aren't closely related
August 8, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeIs that a funny-looking duck or a chicken you saw by the water? It might be neither. American coots are a common sight by our waterways during breeding season, but they might have you doing a double take.
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Preserves We Love: Raccoon Grove, for its fairy-tale feel
August 3, 2023 | Preserves and trailsInterpretive naturalist Heather Van Zyl tells us why she loves Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve.
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Meet a Naturalist: Suzy Lyttle, a childhood dream fulfilled
July 28, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeMeet Suzy Lyttle, the program coordinator at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
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Burning questions about the sun? Check out these five facts
July 26, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWe have the sun to thank for all life on Earth, but how much do you really know about the star at the center of our world?
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Duckweed is world's smallest flowering plant
July 24, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWant to see the world's smallest flowering plant? Look no farther than your local pond.
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The wonders of Will County
July 23, 2023We have some of the rarest natural areas in the world.
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Think you know owls? Northern saw-whet owls defy our expectations
July 13, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeNorthern saw-whet owls are a little different than the prototypical owl. For starters, they're only about the size of a robin, making them one of the smallest owl species in the world.
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Preserves We Love: Hammel Woods Dog Park, for its golden memories
July 13, 2023 | Preserves and trailsPublic information officer Cindy Cain tells us why she loves spending time at Hammel Woods Dog Park.
-
Myth buster: Can a cricket really tell you the temperature?
September 1, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThere's no way you can actually rely on a cricket to tell you the temperature, right? Actually, this widely held myth is really true.
-
What's the difference?: Green frog vs. bullfrog
August 31, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeCan you tell a bullfrog from a green frog? Here are a few clues to help tell these two similar frog species apart.
-
Earbuds out for the latest fitness trend: Silent walking gaining traction
August 30, 2023 | RecreationKeeping up with the latest fitness trends? Then put your earbuds away and enjoy the silence on your next walk.
-
Preserves We Love: Lake Chaminwood, for its transformation to tranquility
August 29, 2023 | Preserves and trailsDirector of planning and land preservation Colleen Novander tells us why she loves Lake Chaminwood Preserve.
-
Preserves We Love: Kankakee Sands, for its parallels to parenthood
August 24, 2023 | Preserves and trailsRestoration program coordinator Juli Mason tells us why she loves Kankakee Sands Preserve.
-
Hop to it with these five grasshopper facts
August 22, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeGrasshoppers are one of our more familiar insects, and this is your chance to learn all about them.
-
What's the difference?: Water lily vs. American lotus
August 15, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeNot all those big green leaves growing on the water's surface are lily pads. American lotus can also be found in Illinois waterways. Learn to tell the difference between these two plants.
-
Preserves We Love: McKinley Woods, because there's something for everyone
August 14, 2023 | Preserves and trailsGuest services associate Kylee Beckwith tells us why she loves McKinley Woods — Frederick's Grove.
-
Odd duck out: Coots share space with ducks, but aren't closely related
August 8, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeIs that a funny-looking duck or a chicken you saw by the water? It might be neither. American coots are a common sight by our waterways during breeding season, but they might have you doing a double take.
-
Preserves We Love: Raccoon Grove, for its fairy-tale feel
August 3, 2023 | Preserves and trailsInterpretive naturalist Heather Van Zyl tells us why she loves Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve.
-
Meet a Naturalist: Suzy Lyttle, a childhood dream fulfilled
July 28, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeMeet Suzy Lyttle, the program coordinator at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
-
Burning questions about the sun? Check out these five facts
July 26, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWe have the sun to thank for all life on Earth, but how much do you really know about the star at the center of our world?
-
Duckweed is world's smallest flowering plant
July 24, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWant to see the world's smallest flowering plant? Look no farther than your local pond.
-
The wonders of Will County
July 23, 2023We have some of the rarest natural areas in the world.
-
Think you know owls? Northern saw-whet owls defy our expectations
July 13, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeNorthern saw-whet owls are a little different than the prototypical owl. For starters, they're only about the size of a robin, making them one of the smallest owl species in the world.
-
Preserves We Love: Hammel Woods Dog Park, for its golden memories
July 13, 2023 | Preserves and trailsPublic information officer Cindy Cain tells us why she loves spending time at Hammel Woods Dog Park.
The Buzz
The monarchs you see at this time of year are special. Here's why
7/31/2026
The monarchs you see at this time of the year are special, part of a 'super generation' different than the three generations that preceded it.
Hummingbirds are already migrating, but it's not time to take down feeders yet
7/30/2026
Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate in waves, and some have already departed. But we'll see the birds in Will County for weeks or even months, so keep filling your feeders.
Bees and wasps invading hummingbird feeders? Here's why — and how to fix it
7/23/2026
If you are seeing more bees than birds at your hummingbird feeders lately, you're not alone. Learn why we see them more at this time of year and how you might keep them away from your hummingbird feeders.