Headlines

Not everything in nature is what it seems at first glance.

If you've ever seen a monkey in a tree in an Illinois forest, chances are it was really a tree burl creating an optical illusion. 

Wetlands link land and water, creating a crucial habitat with many important roles.

Only 300 or so of the green-eyed dragonflies are known to exist in Illinois, and the Forest Preserve District’s Lockport Prairie has the largest population of the federally endangered insect in the state.

That chipmunk you see may be a 13-lined ground squirrel. Learn how to tell them apart and everything you need to know about these ground squirrels. 

Rabbits are well-known for their ability to reproduce, but what makes them more prolific than other animals?

Instead of sunbathing, give forest bathing a try. All you need is a little free time and access to a forested or tree-covered spot. 

Another myth busted: Snakes are not slimy at all. 

If you've ever taken a walk outside after it rains, you know that worms tend to congregate above ground after wet weather. The reason why is a mystery, although scientists have a few theories.

Opossums deserve our love and respect because they provide many benefits, and they're pretty cute too. 

Dumping unused bait in the water seems like an innocent way to end a fishing trip, but it is detrimental to the health of our waterways.

The green heron isn't as well known or as frequently seen as the great blue heron, but these birds are interesting in their own right.

Tiny but mighty microarthropods are tiny bugs that do a lot of good despite their small size. 

Most people can identify a mallard duck and a Canada goose, but do you know the difference between ducks and geese?

Brown-headed cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nests, outsourcing incubation and newborn care entirely to other birds. This may not win them any mother-of-the-year awards, but it is the only way they know.

Cellar spiders love to live in human habitats, but they're beneficial to us to.