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
-
In the spotlight: Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve
June 1, 2021 | Preserves and trailsSouthwestern Will County is home to a sand prairie habitat that is one of the most diverse of its type in the entire state, and part of that is protected land at Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve.
-
Creature feature: The blue-winged teal
May 28, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeBlue-winged teals are migratory ducks, one of the last to arrive here each spring and one of the first to head south each fall.
-
Your guide to camping in the preserves
May 28, 2021One of the best ways to reconnect with nature is to pop a tent right in the middle of it.
-
No space? No problem. Small spaces still work for native plants
May 25, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeYou don't need a big yard — or any yard at all — to add native plants to your outdoor space. A small garden plot or even a container garden are more than enough to attract pollinators and other creatures.
-
Animals, they’re just like us
May 20, 2021Animals deserve to be respected both for their similarities and differences to us.
-
Let it rain: How rain gardens can help keep our water clean
May 19, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeAdding a rain garden to your yard can help prevent flooding and also filter pollutants and chemicals out of the water supply.
-
Five things to know about our beloved Baltimore orioles
May 13, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeBaltimore orioles are one of the most anticipated birds each spring. Learn more about them with these five fun facts.
-
Want more birds in your yard? Try adding a birdhouse or two
May 12, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeSome birds can be easily attracted to your yard by adding a birdhouse nearby.
-
Nature curiosity: Why do spiders have so many eyes?
May 11, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeMost spiders have eight eyes, but not all spiders have good vision.
-
How to have a successful dog park outing
May 7, 2021 | RecreationFollowing the Forest Preserve District's rules and paying attention to advice from dog experts will help you have an enjoyable and safer experience. Know your dog, stay with your dog and pick up after your dog for the safety and benefit of all involved.
-
Tired of filling your bird feeders? Grow your own bird seed
May 6, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeSkip the middleman and grow plants that birds will eat seeds and fruit from rather than filling your feeders with store-bought seed.
-
What's the difference?: Forest preserve vs. nature preserve
May 6, 2021 | Preserves and trailsWhen is a forest preserve something more? State nature preserves are specially designated lands that protect a variety of high-quality natural areas as well as rare and endangered plants and animals.
-
Nature deficit disorder is real: Kids need to spend time outdoors
May 4, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeSending your kids outside to play is good for their mental and physical health.
-
A dozen native plants that will bring life to your yard
May 1, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeAs you get starry-eyed with visions of how to spruce up your home landscape this year, take some time to consider adding native plants to your yard.
-
Oh, baby! These names for baby animals are just too cute
April 30, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeSometimes the terms used for baby animals are about as cute as the animals themselves.
-
Five mind-blowing facts about trees
April 29, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeYou might not give them a second thought, but there are many reasons we should appreciate the trees that dot the landscape.
-
In the spotlight: Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve
June 1, 2021 | Preserves and trailsSouthwestern Will County is home to a sand prairie habitat that is one of the most diverse of its type in the entire state, and part of that is protected land at Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve.
-
Creature feature: The blue-winged teal
May 28, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeBlue-winged teals are migratory ducks, one of the last to arrive here each spring and one of the first to head south each fall.
-
Your guide to camping in the preserves
May 28, 2021One of the best ways to reconnect with nature is to pop a tent right in the middle of it.
-
No space? No problem. Small spaces still work for native plants
May 25, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeYou don't need a big yard — or any yard at all — to add native plants to your outdoor space. A small garden plot or even a container garden are more than enough to attract pollinators and other creatures.
-
Animals, they’re just like us
May 20, 2021Animals deserve to be respected both for their similarities and differences to us.
-
Let it rain: How rain gardens can help keep our water clean
May 19, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeAdding a rain garden to your yard can help prevent flooding and also filter pollutants and chemicals out of the water supply.
-
Five things to know about our beloved Baltimore orioles
May 13, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeBaltimore orioles are one of the most anticipated birds each spring. Learn more about them with these five fun facts.
-
Want more birds in your yard? Try adding a birdhouse or two
May 12, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeSome birds can be easily attracted to your yard by adding a birdhouse nearby.
-
Nature curiosity: Why do spiders have so many eyes?
May 11, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeMost spiders have eight eyes, but not all spiders have good vision.
-
How to have a successful dog park outing
May 7, 2021 | RecreationFollowing the Forest Preserve District's rules and paying attention to advice from dog experts will help you have an enjoyable and safer experience. Know your dog, stay with your dog and pick up after your dog for the safety and benefit of all involved.
-
Tired of filling your bird feeders? Grow your own bird seed
May 6, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeSkip the middleman and grow plants that birds will eat seeds and fruit from rather than filling your feeders with store-bought seed.
-
What's the difference?: Forest preserve vs. nature preserve
May 6, 2021 | Preserves and trailsWhen is a forest preserve something more? State nature preserves are specially designated lands that protect a variety of high-quality natural areas as well as rare and endangered plants and animals.
-
Nature deficit disorder is real: Kids need to spend time outdoors
May 4, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeSending your kids outside to play is good for their mental and physical health.
-
A dozen native plants that will bring life to your yard
May 1, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeAs you get starry-eyed with visions of how to spruce up your home landscape this year, take some time to consider adding native plants to your yard.
-
Oh, baby! These names for baby animals are just too cute
April 30, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeSometimes the terms used for baby animals are about as cute as the animals themselves.
-
Five mind-blowing facts about trees
April 29, 2021 | Nature and wildlifeYou might not give them a second thought, but there are many reasons we should appreciate the trees that dot the landscape.
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.