Wauponsee Glacial Trail

09/21/2026

Adding to their mysterious nature is that black-crowned night herons aren’t as common in Illinois as they once were and are now endangered in the state. In the Will County preserves, their population has dwindled, and they are only seen sporadically.

It's a heron you rarely see — but should know. 

09/14/2026

Creature feature: The raccoon. These critters have a well-earned reputation as troublemakers, getting into garbage cans and more around our homes. They are able to get into things like garbage cans and bird feeders because they are extremely dexterous and have an excellent sense of touch.

Raccoons can live in just about any type of habitat, from rural to urban, and they will eat just about anything. In urban and suburban areas, they are most common near woodlands and farmlands. Common foods include fruits, nuts, insects, rodents, frogs, eggs and crayfish, and they will happily scavenge through garbage cans for food.

Fun fact: The word raccoon comes from the word “arakunem,” a term used by Native Algonquian people that translates to “he scratches with hands.”

(Photo courtesy of Darek Konopka)

Loved or reviled, the raccoon is one of the most common mammals in Illinois. 

09/12/2026

126-acre acquisition protects wildlife habitat and future trail opportunities in Custer Township.

08/31/2026

Eastern chipmunks are ground squirrels, and they are one of four ground squirrels found in Illinois, along with 13-lined ground squirrels, Franklin’s ground squirrels and woodchucks. They are the smallest of the four, measuring 8 inches to 12 inches long and weighing just 2 ounces to 5 ounces.

Chipmunks live across Illinois, preferring the edges of woodland areas. But don’t be surprised to see them in your yard because they thrive in urban areas as well. They are most active during the day, and they generally live solitary lives although they sometimes live in close proximity to other chipmunks.

They are omnivores. Their diet primarily consists of seeds, nuts, fungi and flowers, but they will eat insects, spiders and other invertebrates in the summer.

Fun fact: They can store a lot of food in their chubby cheeks. Their expandable cheek pouches can extend to hold as many as 12 acorns, 31 kernels of corn or 70 sunflower seeds!

(Photos courtesy of Jen Radwan)

08/24/2026

Unlike most other migrating animals, the super monarchs will never complete the return trip. They begin the journey north but typically only travel as far as the southern United States before mating and laying the eggs that will become the next generation, the first in the new year’s cycle.

08/17/2026

There's something in the air, and it might be making you sniffle and sneeze. Plenty of us suffer from seasonal allergies, and at this time of year there's usually one culprit: ragweed.

Suffering from seasonal allergies right about now? It's ragweed that has you sneezing, not goldenrod.

08/11/2026

Meet the common buckeye! Those large eyespots aren’t just beautiful. They may help startle or distract predators, giving the butterfly a chance to escape.

Common buckeyes are often found in sunny, open areas such as fields, meadows, roadsides and gardens. They frequently perch on bare ground, which may be why you spot one in an unexpected place like a gravel path.

Common buckeyes are found across much of the United States during the warmer months, with their range shifting seasonally.

(Photo courtesy of Jen Carusi)

08/03/2026

Have you ever found yourself feeling curious about clouds? Looking up to the sky can open up a world of imagination where different shapes and hues form pictures and stories that play out in your mind.

Discover the fun of cloud gazing! Learn how to use your imagination, keep a cloud journal and spot clues about the weather by looking up at the sky.

07/27/2026

Killdeer are shorebirds, but they are just as at home away from water as they are near it. Unlike most birds, when humans and other threats draw near, the killdeer will often run away first, rather than flying off.

One of most common birds in North America, the killdeer has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to protecting its nest from potential threats. 

07/13/2026

Don't be surprised to see a Cooper's hawk hanging around your backyard bird feeders. It's not the bird seed they are after, however. Instead, they are on the hunt for the birds visiting your feeders. Like other birds of prey, Cooper's hawks hunt small animals, and their prey of choice is primarily birds, especially medium-sized birds like mourning doves, European starlings, robins and jays.

(Photo courtesy of Heidi Kelly)