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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The trails are for everyone, so mind your manners out there
April 8, 2022 | RecreationThe trails can be crowded on nice days, so make sure you're being a good neighbor by practicing proper trail etiquette.
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Amazing find: Rare blue racer caught on camera
April 4, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeIn another case of you never know what you'll find when out in the preserves, District staff spotted a pretty cool creature on Friday in the form of a blue racer within the 1,200-acre Kankakee Sands preservation system.
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Five things about those graceful great egrets
April 1, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeOur tallest birds are among our most striking and elegant, and the great egret certainly fits into this group of regal birds.
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What you need to know about invasive and destructive spongy moths
March 22, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeNot all moths and butterflies should be treasured. Some, like the spongy moth, are invasive and are harming local habitats.
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Monarch population plummeting, and a known parasite may be killing millions a year, study finds
March 21, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeMonarch populations have plummeted by more than 80% over the past two decades, and a known pathogenic parasite may be contributing to the devastating decline more than previously thought.
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What's the difference?: Male vs. female pileated woodpecker
March 19, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeMale and female pileated woodpeckers look similar, but they are not identical. If you look closely at the coloring on their heads and faces, you can tell the difference.
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Indicator species: A vital presence
March 18, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeIndicator species are typically among the first species affected by any change in their ecosystem. A positive change may yield a population increase, while a negative change may cause a population decrease.
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Using rat poison to control rodent infestations can have devastating effects on other wildlife
March 17, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeEverything in nature is connected, so when you use rodenticides to control rodent infestations in and around your home the effects may be more far reaching than you intended.
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Five feisty facts about Canada geese
March 8, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeGet the lowdown on Canada geese, one of our most common and widespread birds.
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Why are some animals the wrong color?
March 7, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeAnimals sometimes look much different than we expect — or sometimes aren’t what they seem at all.
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The lowdown on lichens
February 24, 2022Lichens are little known and not well understood, but they deserve our appreciation.
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Cedar waxwings are eye-catching birds that you won't confuse with anything else
February 16, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeCedar waxwings are unique in appearance and are also different from most birds in that they can exist on fruit alone for months at a time.
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Five things about those shy and inquisitive white-tailed deer
February 15, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeHere are five fun facts about our curious white-tailed deer.
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What's the difference?: How to identify some of our most common sparrows
February 14, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeIllinois is home to many sparrow species, and telling one from another is no easy task. Learn some of the key ID features among our most common sparrows.
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Mating game: These animals mate for life
February 11, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeDoes that mean they love each other like humans? It’s hard to say.
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How to keep raccoons away from your bird feeders
February 4, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeRaccoons can be just as troublesome as squirrels around bird feeders, but there's a few tricks to keep them away.
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The trails are for everyone, so mind your manners out there
April 8, 2022 | RecreationThe trails can be crowded on nice days, so make sure you're being a good neighbor by practicing proper trail etiquette.
-
Amazing find: Rare blue racer caught on camera
April 4, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeIn another case of you never know what you'll find when out in the preserves, District staff spotted a pretty cool creature on Friday in the form of a blue racer within the 1,200-acre Kankakee Sands preservation system.
-
Five things about those graceful great egrets
April 1, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeOur tallest birds are among our most striking and elegant, and the great egret certainly fits into this group of regal birds.
-
What you need to know about invasive and destructive spongy moths
March 22, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeNot all moths and butterflies should be treasured. Some, like the spongy moth, are invasive and are harming local habitats.
-
Monarch population plummeting, and a known parasite may be killing millions a year, study finds
March 21, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeMonarch populations have plummeted by more than 80% over the past two decades, and a known pathogenic parasite may be contributing to the devastating decline more than previously thought.
-
What's the difference?: Male vs. female pileated woodpecker
March 19, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeMale and female pileated woodpeckers look similar, but they are not identical. If you look closely at the coloring on their heads and faces, you can tell the difference.
-
Indicator species: A vital presence
March 18, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeIndicator species are typically among the first species affected by any change in their ecosystem. A positive change may yield a population increase, while a negative change may cause a population decrease.
-
Using rat poison to control rodent infestations can have devastating effects on other wildlife
March 17, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeEverything in nature is connected, so when you use rodenticides to control rodent infestations in and around your home the effects may be more far reaching than you intended.
-
Five feisty facts about Canada geese
March 8, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeGet the lowdown on Canada geese, one of our most common and widespread birds.
-
Why are some animals the wrong color?
March 7, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeAnimals sometimes look much different than we expect — or sometimes aren’t what they seem at all.
-
The lowdown on lichens
February 24, 2022Lichens are little known and not well understood, but they deserve our appreciation.
-
Cedar waxwings are eye-catching birds that you won't confuse with anything else
February 16, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeCedar waxwings are unique in appearance and are also different from most birds in that they can exist on fruit alone for months at a time.
-
Five things about those shy and inquisitive white-tailed deer
February 15, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeHere are five fun facts about our curious white-tailed deer.
-
What's the difference?: How to identify some of our most common sparrows
February 14, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeIllinois is home to many sparrow species, and telling one from another is no easy task. Learn some of the key ID features among our most common sparrows.
-
Mating game: These animals mate for life
February 11, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeDoes that mean they love each other like humans? It’s hard to say.
-
How to keep raccoons away from your bird feeders
February 4, 2022 | Nature and wildlifeRaccoons can be just as troublesome as squirrels around bird feeders, but there's a few tricks to keep them away.
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.