Headlines

Most of us try to avoid bats, but creating a welcoming habitat for them may be beneficial.

Is that orange and black butterfly floating by a monarch or a viceroy? Here's how to tell the difference.

Shrimp in Illinois waterways? It's true, but these aren't the kind of crustaceans you'd order in a restaurant.

Here’s a closer look at some of the plants that can cause you harm and are best avoided.

Osprey or eagle? Learn what sets the osprey apart from other birds of prey.

Hanging upside down for even a few seconds will leave anyone feeling dizzy and a little lightheaded, so how do bats do it?

Will County forest preserves play a key role in acting as rainwater sponges.

From cactus to carnivorous plants, there are some surprises in the preserves.

Is that big, buzzing insect a dragonfly or a damselfly? Learn how to tell the difference.

Ichneumon wasps are scary-looking insects, but what many people think is a dangerous stinger is really used for laying eggs.

Most of us don’t give ants a second thought unless an invasion of them happens to be ruining our time outside.

Have you ever ridden a bike through a swarm of gnats and gotten a mouth full of bugs? There's a good reason why they congregate like that.

The American bullfrog is common in the lakes and ponds across Will County. Do you know how to identify it?

We've long known time spent in the great outdoors is good for you, but now we know exactly how much time we have to spend outside to reap the benefits. According to a study, spending two hours outside each week is good for your health and well-being.

Zombie snakes on the loose? Not really. These snakes are just playing dead to protect themselves from predators, and they pose no risk to humans.

Bees sting for a simple reason: to defend themselves from danger.