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.
That furry, brown critter scurrying along the shoreline might just be an American mink, one of our lesser known semiaquatic mammals.
Plenty of humans go bald, but do other animals lose their hair as they age?
Red blood certainly isn't unique in the animal kingdom, but it's far from universal.
The story of the whooping crane is a troubled one that nearly ended with these majestic birds' extinction. And while small populations of these cranes still do exist today, they haven't experienced the conservation successes that we've seen with other birds, like bald eagles and great egrets.
If you see a rodent scurrying across your floor, you may not care if it is a mouse or a rat, but there are several key differences between them. And while some mice and rats are non-native nuisances, native species of both also live in Illinois.
The wildlife all around us is critical to the health of our ecosystems.
The red fox has earned its reputation for being clever and cunning.
Birds aren't exactly a rarity in our world, populating just about every type of habitat worldwide in good numbers. But if you want to see a variety of birds or brush up on your local birding knowledge, the Will County forest preserves are a good place to start.
With more than 10,000 described bird species in the world, some of them are bound to be a little, well, unusual.
In their adult plumage, golden eagles and bald eagles are easy to distinguish from one another. As juveniles, however, they look much more similar.
Sandhill cranes are the supermodels of the bird world, tall, elegant and eye-catching with their gray plumage and crimson eye patches.
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.
That furry, brown critter scurrying along the shoreline might just be an American mink, one of our lesser known semiaquatic mammals.
Plenty of humans go bald, but do other animals lose their hair as they age?
Red blood certainly isn't unique in the animal kingdom, but it's far from universal.
The story of the whooping crane is a troubled one that nearly ended with these majestic birds' extinction. And while small populations of these cranes still do exist today, they haven't experienced the conservation successes that we've seen with other birds, like bald eagles and great egrets.
If you see a rodent scurrying across your floor, you may not care if it is a mouse or a rat, but there are several key differences between them. And while some mice and rats are non-native nuisances, native species of both also live in Illinois.
The wildlife all around us is critical to the health of our ecosystems.
The red fox has earned its reputation for being clever and cunning.
Birds aren't exactly a rarity in our world, populating just about every type of habitat worldwide in good numbers. But if you want to see a variety of birds or brush up on your local birding knowledge, the Will County forest preserves are a good place to start.
With more than 10,000 described bird species in the world, some of them are bound to be a little, well, unusual.
In their adult plumage, golden eagles and bald eagles are easy to distinguish from one another. As juveniles, however, they look much more similar.
Sandhill cranes are the supermodels of the bird world, tall, elegant and eye-catching with their gray plumage and crimson eye patches.
Experience day turning into night on a stroll amidst golden prairie grasses at the perfect time of light.
Lake Renwick is a popular pitstop for birds during migration, so join us for a guided hike to search of waterfowl, eagles and songbirds.
Monarchs are one of several popular symbols in the celebration of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Learn what they symbolize and how you can attract them to your yard.
Forget Halloween; it's Owloween! In honor of Halloween, spend some time learning about these magnificent and mysterious creatures. Want to learn more? Watch the video below.
What you don’t know about these scraggly bearded giants might surprise you.