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
-
What's the difference?: Lake vs. pond
August 8, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeWhat makes a lake a lake? Or how about a pond a pond. Technically speaking, nothing.
-
Look out for these backyard bullies
August 8, 2022Just like there are bullies in the schoolyard, there are bullies at our backyard bird feeders and out in nature.
-
Five things about our most recognizable snake, the garter snake
August 2, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeGet to know a little about our most recognizable snake, the common garter snake.
-
Want to elevate your walk to a hike? Check out these natural surface trails
July 30, 2022 | RecreationWhat makes a hike more than a walk? A natural surface trail certainly helps.
-
Seen an armadillo or a bear? IDNR wants to know
July 27, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeArmadillos aren't normally seen in the northern part of Illinois and, when they are, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources wants to know about it. Same for black bears, cougars and gray wolves.
-
You don't even have to leave your car to take in the sights at some preserves
July 25, 2022 | Preserves and trailsNot everyone is able to hike along trails to enjoy nature and all it has to offer, so the Forest Preserve has many spots where you can take in the sights from your car or an easy-to-get-to bench.
-
Five fun facts about subterranean earthworms
July 14, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeLearn all about the earthworms crawling just below the surface.
-
How to tell how old a tree is — without cutting it down
July 8, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeWant to determine the age of a tree without cutting it down? As long as you know what kind of tree it is, all you need is a measuring tape and a calculator.
-
Rock Run Preserve: A lively loop for the whole family
July 8, 2022 | Preserves and trailsWhether it's hiking the loop trail, casting a line or spotting some local wildlife, there's a lot to see and explore.
-
When it comes to creeping along at a snail's pace, snails and slugs really take the cake
July 7, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeTurtles have nothing on snails when it comes to creeping along at a snail's pace, and while we may not give much thought to snails and slugs they are quite numerous around the world.
-
Red, white and blue wildflowers in the preserves
July 1, 2022These native gems are about as American as they get.
-
Five fast facts about underappreciated moths
June 24, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeIn the animal kingdom, moths are considered something akin to butterflies' ugly stepsisters, but moths are special too.
-
Insects are disappearing, but you can help reverse the trend
June 23, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeInsect populations are declining, and that's bad news for us and our ecosystems. Learn what you can do to help reverse the trend.
-
Have stroller, will travel? Check out these preserves for stroller-friendly adventures
June 22, 2022 | RecreationLooking for a place to explore with a stroller in tow? We've got plenty of places for you to plan an adventure.
-
Nature curiosity: Will a worm regenerate if it gets cut in half?
June 16, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeWill a worm really regenerate if it gets cut in two? It's complicated.
-
These animal dads are worth celebrating
June 15, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeMany males play a key role in giving their offspring a much-needed jump-start.
-
What's the difference?: Lake vs. pond
August 8, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeWhat makes a lake a lake? Or how about a pond a pond. Technically speaking, nothing.
-
Look out for these backyard bullies
August 8, 2022Just like there are bullies in the schoolyard, there are bullies at our backyard bird feeders and out in nature.
-
Five things about our most recognizable snake, the garter snake
August 2, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeGet to know a little about our most recognizable snake, the common garter snake.
-
Want to elevate your walk to a hike? Check out these natural surface trails
July 30, 2022 | RecreationWhat makes a hike more than a walk? A natural surface trail certainly helps.
-
Seen an armadillo or a bear? IDNR wants to know
July 27, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeArmadillos aren't normally seen in the northern part of Illinois and, when they are, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources wants to know about it. Same for black bears, cougars and gray wolves.
-
You don't even have to leave your car to take in the sights at some preserves
July 25, 2022 | Preserves and trailsNot everyone is able to hike along trails to enjoy nature and all it has to offer, so the Forest Preserve has many spots where you can take in the sights from your car or an easy-to-get-to bench.
-
Five fun facts about subterranean earthworms
July 14, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeLearn all about the earthworms crawling just below the surface.
-
How to tell how old a tree is — without cutting it down
July 8, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeWant to determine the age of a tree without cutting it down? As long as you know what kind of tree it is, all you need is a measuring tape and a calculator.
-
Rock Run Preserve: A lively loop for the whole family
July 8, 2022 | Preserves and trailsWhether it's hiking the loop trail, casting a line or spotting some local wildlife, there's a lot to see and explore.
-
When it comes to creeping along at a snail's pace, snails and slugs really take the cake
July 7, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeTurtles have nothing on snails when it comes to creeping along at a snail's pace, and while we may not give much thought to snails and slugs they are quite numerous around the world.
-
Red, white and blue wildflowers in the preserves
July 1, 2022These native gems are about as American as they get.
-
Five fast facts about underappreciated moths
June 24, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeIn the animal kingdom, moths are considered something akin to butterflies' ugly stepsisters, but moths are special too.
-
Insects are disappearing, but you can help reverse the trend
June 23, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeInsect populations are declining, and that's bad news for us and our ecosystems. Learn what you can do to help reverse the trend.
-
Have stroller, will travel? Check out these preserves for stroller-friendly adventures
June 22, 2022 | RecreationLooking for a place to explore with a stroller in tow? We've got plenty of places for you to plan an adventure.
-
Nature curiosity: Will a worm regenerate if it gets cut in half?
June 16, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeWill a worm really regenerate if it gets cut in two? It's complicated.
-
These animal dads are worth celebrating
June 15, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeMany males play a key role in giving their offspring a much-needed jump-start.
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.