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: Bees die when they sting you
May 19, 2023 | Preserves and trailsYou've probably heard that bees die when they sting you, but this isn't universally true. Most bee species don't even have stingers.
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Five things about those powerful, booming thunderstorms
May 18, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThe crack of lightning and rumble of thunder can create awe and fear, and here are five things you should know about these forces of nature.
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What's the difference?: Habitat vs. ecosystem
May 15, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWe sometimes use the terms habitat and ecosystem interchangeably, but they are not one and the same.
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McKinley Woods: Where the past and present meet
May 10, 2023McKinley Woods unites new and old unlike any other Will County forest preserve.
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A different kind of orange: Osage orange trees have long, storied history
May 5, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeOrange trees do grow in Illinois, but our native Osage orange trees are nothing like the citrus trees you're thinking of.
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Throwing a party? Skip the balloons to help save wildlife
May 4, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeBalloons can wreak havoc on wildlife and the environment if not used and disposed of properly, so think twice before including them in your party decor.
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Bluebirds are back from the brink thanks to human interventions
May 2, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThe eastern bluebird population was once in rapid decline because of a perfect storm of factors, but today their population has recovered well and these birds are a common sight once again.
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Nature curiosity: Why do birds migrate at night?
May 1, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeNot all birds migrate but the majority that do, travel by night. Researchers don't fully understand why, but nocturnal migration does provide some benefits.
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Nature curiosity: How do trees clean the air?
April 27, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeTrees serve as Earth's lungs, but how does their breathing help clean the air?
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Five things about toads, our frogs' lesser-known cousins
April 20, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWhat looks a lot like a frog but doesn't jump like a frog or eat like a frog? A toad. Learn what makes toads unique and what separates them from frogs.
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Ducks know what they're doing; leave their nests alone
April 17, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThat duck nest you think is in a bad spot probably isn't. The duck knew what she was doing when she built it, and moving it will cause more harm than good. It's also illegal.
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Nature curiosity: How do robins find worms?
April 14, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeFinding worms below ground is a sensory experience for robins, but they might not be using the senses you think.
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What's the difference: Dirt vs. soil
April 11, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWe 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.
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Myth buster: Daddy long legs is the most venomous spider in the world
April 6, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeDaddy long legs are one of the most venomous spiders in the world? Not so, but the rumor has been circulating for generations.
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Five fun facts about those busy beavers
April 5, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThe 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.
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Five facts about stealthy, solitary bobcats
March 24, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeOf the 40 wildcat species in the world, just the bobcat lives in Illinois, and even its existence here is a surprise to many people.
-
Myth buster: Bees die when they sting you
May 19, 2023 | Preserves and trailsYou've probably heard that bees die when they sting you, but this isn't universally true. Most bee species don't even have stingers.
-
Five things about those powerful, booming thunderstorms
May 18, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThe crack of lightning and rumble of thunder can create awe and fear, and here are five things you should know about these forces of nature.
-
What's the difference?: Habitat vs. ecosystem
May 15, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWe sometimes use the terms habitat and ecosystem interchangeably, but they are not one and the same.
-
McKinley Woods: Where the past and present meet
May 10, 2023McKinley Woods unites new and old unlike any other Will County forest preserve.
-
A different kind of orange: Osage orange trees have long, storied history
May 5, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeOrange trees do grow in Illinois, but our native Osage orange trees are nothing like the citrus trees you're thinking of.
-
Throwing a party? Skip the balloons to help save wildlife
May 4, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeBalloons can wreak havoc on wildlife and the environment if not used and disposed of properly, so think twice before including them in your party decor.
-
Bluebirds are back from the brink thanks to human interventions
May 2, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThe eastern bluebird population was once in rapid decline because of a perfect storm of factors, but today their population has recovered well and these birds are a common sight once again.
-
Nature curiosity: Why do birds migrate at night?
May 1, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeNot all birds migrate but the majority that do, travel by night. Researchers don't fully understand why, but nocturnal migration does provide some benefits.
-
Nature curiosity: How do trees clean the air?
April 27, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeTrees serve as Earth's lungs, but how does their breathing help clean the air?
-
Five things about toads, our frogs' lesser-known cousins
April 20, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWhat looks a lot like a frog but doesn't jump like a frog or eat like a frog? A toad. Learn what makes toads unique and what separates them from frogs.
-
Ducks know what they're doing; leave their nests alone
April 17, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThat duck nest you think is in a bad spot probably isn't. The duck knew what she was doing when she built it, and moving it will cause more harm than good. It's also illegal.
-
Nature curiosity: How do robins find worms?
April 14, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeFinding worms below ground is a sensory experience for robins, but they might not be using the senses you think.
-
What's the difference: Dirt vs. soil
April 11, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeWe 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.
-
Myth buster: Daddy long legs is the most venomous spider in the world
April 6, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeDaddy long legs are one of the most venomous spiders in the world? Not so, but the rumor has been circulating for generations.
-
Five fun facts about those busy beavers
April 5, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeThe 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.
-
Five facts about stealthy, solitary bobcats
March 24, 2023 | Nature and wildlifeOf the 40 wildcat species in the world, just the bobcat lives in Illinois, and even its existence here is a surprise to many people.
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.