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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Be a Trailblazer: Hike Hammel Woods
October 28, 2025 | RecreationYour go-to destination for stunning fall colors.
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Lockport Prairie restoration, Be a Trailblazer campaign earn Chicago Wilderness awards
October 27, 2025 | Conservation and restorationThe Forest Preserve District of Will County received two honors from Chicago Wilderness for its restoration and outreach work.
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Wild Relatives: The white-naped crane
October 22, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeThe white-naped crane lives only in parts of Asia and Russia, but these elegant birds might remind you of the cranes we see closer to home.
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Animals that scream Halloween
October 21, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeThese creatures have a reputation for being among the creepiest, so they fit right in during spooky season.
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Be a Trailblazer: Hike Hickory Creek
October 14, 2025 | RecreationEnjoy a walk where fall's surprises await.
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What's the difference?: Lizard vs. salamander
October 13, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeLizards and salamanders are easy to confuse with one another because they look similar, but there are many differences between them, starting with how they are classified in the animal kingdom.
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Don't miss the fall color at these preserves
October 10, 2025 | Preserves and trailsIf fall is your favorite color, it's time to seize the season and head outdoors. Looking for someplace new to explore? Plenty of preserves shine at this time of year.
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Don't pitch your pumpkins after Halloween; put them to good use instead
October 4, 2025 | Conservation and restorationPumpkins are popping up everywhere these days, but once Halloween is over, don't just pitch your pumpkins. You can put them to good use instead.
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‘In one fell swoop,’ District expands by 500 acres for second largest acquisition in history
October 3, 2025 | Preserves and trailsThe Forest Preserve District of Will County has acquired nearly 500 acres in Crete Township, its second largest land purchase in history.
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Nature curiosity: Why do leaves change color then fall?
October 3, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeIt may just seem like Mother Nature is showing off when fall color hits its peak, but the spectacular display is the result of complex yet gradual changes in each of those lovely leaves.
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Wild Science: Otters rebound from the brink to thrive in Will County
September 30, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeRiver otters have staged an extraordinary comeback in Illinois, with populations rebounding from near extinction to more than 11,000 today.
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Wild Relatives: The African painted dog
September 25, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeOur domesticated dogs have many wild relatives roaming the world. In Africa, that includes the colorful and distinctive African painted dog.
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Five facts about misunderstood coyotes
September 23, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeMany people don't welcome the sight of a coyote in their neighborhood, but they are an important part of the ecosystem and their presence across Illinois is beneficial.
-
Be a Trailblazer: Hike Prairie Bluff
September 19, 2025 | RecreationFollow along with us on a seasonal hike through through Prairie Bluff Preserve, a pocket of natural space surrounded by the region's hallmarks.
-
There's more to fall than you might think
September 12, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeFall means changing leaves and earlier sunsets, but there are plenty more signs of the season if you know where to look.
-
Dung beetles get down and dirty in dung
September 8, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeDung beetles might do some dirty work, but we owe them a debt of gratitude for it.
-
Be a Trailblazer: Hike Hammel Woods
October 28, 2025 | RecreationYour go-to destination for stunning fall colors.
-
Lockport Prairie restoration, Be a Trailblazer campaign earn Chicago Wilderness awards
October 27, 2025 | Conservation and restorationThe Forest Preserve District of Will County received two honors from Chicago Wilderness for its restoration and outreach work.
-
Wild Relatives: The white-naped crane
October 22, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeThe white-naped crane lives only in parts of Asia and Russia, but these elegant birds might remind you of the cranes we see closer to home.
-
Animals that scream Halloween
October 21, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeThese creatures have a reputation for being among the creepiest, so they fit right in during spooky season.
-
Be a Trailblazer: Hike Hickory Creek
October 14, 2025 | RecreationEnjoy a walk where fall's surprises await.
-
What's the difference?: Lizard vs. salamander
October 13, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeLizards and salamanders are easy to confuse with one another because they look similar, but there are many differences between them, starting with how they are classified in the animal kingdom.
-
Don't miss the fall color at these preserves
October 10, 2025 | Preserves and trailsIf fall is your favorite color, it's time to seize the season and head outdoors. Looking for someplace new to explore? Plenty of preserves shine at this time of year.
-
Don't pitch your pumpkins after Halloween; put them to good use instead
October 4, 2025 | Conservation and restorationPumpkins are popping up everywhere these days, but once Halloween is over, don't just pitch your pumpkins. You can put them to good use instead.
-
‘In one fell swoop,’ District expands by 500 acres for second largest acquisition in history
October 3, 2025 | Preserves and trailsThe Forest Preserve District of Will County has acquired nearly 500 acres in Crete Township, its second largest land purchase in history.
-
Nature curiosity: Why do leaves change color then fall?
October 3, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeIt may just seem like Mother Nature is showing off when fall color hits its peak, but the spectacular display is the result of complex yet gradual changes in each of those lovely leaves.
-
Wild Science: Otters rebound from the brink to thrive in Will County
September 30, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeRiver otters have staged an extraordinary comeback in Illinois, with populations rebounding from near extinction to more than 11,000 today.
-
Wild Relatives: The African painted dog
September 25, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeOur domesticated dogs have many wild relatives roaming the world. In Africa, that includes the colorful and distinctive African painted dog.
-
Five facts about misunderstood coyotes
September 23, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeMany people don't welcome the sight of a coyote in their neighborhood, but they are an important part of the ecosystem and their presence across Illinois is beneficial.
-
Be a Trailblazer: Hike Prairie Bluff
September 19, 2025 | RecreationFollow along with us on a seasonal hike through through Prairie Bluff Preserve, a pocket of natural space surrounded by the region's hallmarks.
-
There's more to fall than you might think
September 12, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeFall means changing leaves and earlier sunsets, but there are plenty more signs of the season if you know where to look.
-
Dung beetles get down and dirty in dung
September 8, 2025 | Nature and wildlifeDung beetles might do some dirty work, but we owe them a debt of gratitude for it.
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.