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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What's the difference?: cicada vs. locust
July 10, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWe often call cicadas locusts, but they are not even closely related insects. Learn the differences between them and why we never see locusts in Illinois or anywhere else in the United States.
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Preserves We Love: O'Hara Woods, for its varied photo subjects
July 6, 2023 | Preserves and trailsMarketing technical specialist Glenn Knoblock tells us why he loves spending time at O'Hara Woods Preserve.
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Meet a Naturalist: Angela Rafac, a lifelong learner
June 30, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeMeet Angela Rafac, an interpretive naturalist at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.
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Monee Reservoir: The preserve that has it all
June 23, 2023From its 46-acre lake suited for all kinds of recreation and wildlife viewing to the picnic grove and shelters perfect for family reunions and get-togethers, there’s plenty of reasons to visit this preserve.
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Five need-to-know facts about bats
June 22, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThink you know bats? There's probably plenty you don't know about these unique mammals.
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Preserves We Love: Hickory Creek, for becoming immersed in nature
June 22, 2023 | Preserves and trailsProgram coordinator Suzy Lyttle tells us why she loves Hickory Creek Preserve.
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Five things about those water-loving dragonflies
June 21, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeSpend any time near the water in summer and you're almost guaranteed to see a dragonfly. Take some time to learn more about these fast-flying insects.
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How to take care of a birdbath to keep birds visiting all year
June 15, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeOnce you decide to add a birdbath to your yard, you need to commit to maintaining it to make it safe and healthy for visiting birds.
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Preserves We Love: Lake Renwick, because it always delivers
June 14, 2023 | Preserves and trailsDigital communications manager Chad Merda tells us why he loves spending time at Lake Renwick Preserve.
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What's the difference?: Grasshopper vs. katydid vs. cricket
June 13, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeCan you tell a cricket from a grasshopper? How about a grasshopper from a katydid? Learn what separates these related insects that are noted both for their jumping ability and the sounds they make.
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That's not spit: Spittlebug nymphs make their homes in frothy bubbles
June 9, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThose globs of spit you see on plants aren't spit at all. They are the safe and comfortable homes of spittlebug nymphs.
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Preserves We Love: Goodenow Grove, a hidden gem
June 8, 2023 | Preserves and trailsFacility office manager Marissa Jones tells us why she loves spending time at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve.
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More than meets the eye: Phragmites a threat to wetland habitats
June 7, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThe tall grasses that surround many of our wetland areas may seem like a pretty addition to the scenery, but in reality they are destroying these vital habitats.
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Myth buster: Fawns are born without a scent
June 5, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeIt's not quite true that fawns are born with no scent. They do have very little scent when they are born, making it easier to tuck them away without being found by predators.
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Preserves We Love: Rock Run Rookery Preserve, for mother-son bonding time
June 1, 2023 | Preserves and trailsDigital and print marketing specialist Katie McCollum tells us why she loves spending time at Rock Run Rookery Preserve.
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Preserves We Love: Rock Run, for bringing people and nature together
May 24, 2023 | Preserves and trailsDigital marketing assistant Meghan McMahon tells us why she loves spending time at Rock Run Preserve.
-
What's the difference?: cicada vs. locust
July 10, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWe often call cicadas locusts, but they are not even closely related insects. Learn the differences between them and why we never see locusts in Illinois or anywhere else in the United States.
-
Preserves We Love: O'Hara Woods, for its varied photo subjects
July 6, 2023 | Preserves and trailsMarketing technical specialist Glenn Knoblock tells us why he loves spending time at O'Hara Woods Preserve.
-
Meet a Naturalist: Angela Rafac, a lifelong learner
June 30, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeMeet Angela Rafac, an interpretive naturalist at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.
-
Monee Reservoir: The preserve that has it all
June 23, 2023From its 46-acre lake suited for all kinds of recreation and wildlife viewing to the picnic grove and shelters perfect for family reunions and get-togethers, there’s plenty of reasons to visit this preserve.
-
Five need-to-know facts about bats
June 22, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThink you know bats? There's probably plenty you don't know about these unique mammals.
-
Preserves We Love: Hickory Creek, for becoming immersed in nature
June 22, 2023 | Preserves and trailsProgram coordinator Suzy Lyttle tells us why she loves Hickory Creek Preserve.
-
Five things about those water-loving dragonflies
June 21, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeSpend any time near the water in summer and you're almost guaranteed to see a dragonfly. Take some time to learn more about these fast-flying insects.
-
How to take care of a birdbath to keep birds visiting all year
June 15, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeOnce you decide to add a birdbath to your yard, you need to commit to maintaining it to make it safe and healthy for visiting birds.
-
Preserves We Love: Lake Renwick, because it always delivers
June 14, 2023 | Preserves and trailsDigital communications manager Chad Merda tells us why he loves spending time at Lake Renwick Preserve.
-
What's the difference?: Grasshopper vs. katydid vs. cricket
June 13, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeCan you tell a cricket from a grasshopper? How about a grasshopper from a katydid? Learn what separates these related insects that are noted both for their jumping ability and the sounds they make.
-
That's not spit: Spittlebug nymphs make their homes in frothy bubbles
June 9, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThose globs of spit you see on plants aren't spit at all. They are the safe and comfortable homes of spittlebug nymphs.
-
Preserves We Love: Goodenow Grove, a hidden gem
June 8, 2023 | Preserves and trailsFacility office manager Marissa Jones tells us why she loves spending time at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve.
-
More than meets the eye: Phragmites a threat to wetland habitats
June 7, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThe tall grasses that surround many of our wetland areas may seem like a pretty addition to the scenery, but in reality they are destroying these vital habitats.
-
Myth buster: Fawns are born without a scent
June 5, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeIt's not quite true that fawns are born with no scent. They do have very little scent when they are born, making it easier to tuck them away without being found by predators.
-
Preserves We Love: Rock Run Rookery Preserve, for mother-son bonding time
June 1, 2023 | Preserves and trailsDigital and print marketing specialist Katie McCollum tells us why she loves spending time at Rock Run Rookery Preserve.
-
Preserves We Love: Rock Run, for bringing people and nature together
May 24, 2023 | Preserves and trailsDigital marketing assistant Meghan McMahon tells us why she loves spending time at Rock Run Preserve.
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.