Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?
Have you ever had a perfect summer day ruined by mosquitoes? You’re not alone. These pesky insects sure know how to ruin a fun time. But...
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Willy's Wilderness
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May 3, 20192 min read
The Mysterious Mayapple and Its Poisonous Fruit
Mayapple is an easy plant to identify in the forest preserves. It grows in the spring and in a group. It gets about 1 foot tall, and the...
Apr 11, 20191 min read
Nature's Disgusting Side: Rabbits Eat Their Poop
The rabbit you see every day in your yard munching on grass and leaves has a disgusting secret. It eats its own poop. That’s right....
Apr 2, 20193 min read
Hooray for Earth Month!
Did you know that April is Earth Month? Woo-hoo! I dare you to run outside and scream, “Thank you, Earth!” Just think how lucky we are....
Mar 7, 20192 min read
Skunk Cabbage: Strange and Stinky
Something stinks ... and it's this plant. March is an odd, in-between month. One minute there’s a blizzard outside. Then the next you see...
Mar 4, 20191 min read
Why Don't Fish Freeze in the Winter?
Have you ever looked at a frozen pond or lake and wondered about the fish? How do they survive the winter in frozen water? It may...
Feb 6, 20193 min read
What Animals Are Hibernating Right Now?
Did you know out of the 60 mammals in Will County, only two of them hibernate during the winter? Before you jump to bears as an answer,...
Feb 4, 20192 min read
Nutty Facts About Squirrels
Most of us don’t think twice when we see squirrels zipping around and up and down trees, looking for nuts to hide away for winter. These...
Jan 15, 20191 min read
Common Owls of Will County
Take the owl ID challenge! With your family, take a hike right after the sun sets or even at night. Try to hear or, if you are lucky, see...
Jan 10, 20192 min read
How Are Snowflakes Made?
We love seeing them fall, catching them with our tongues, and packing them together for a snowball. However, have you stopped to wonder...
Jan 2, 20192 min read
The Scoop on Animal Poop
Everybody poops. There’s even a popular children’s book about it. It’s true not just for humans, but for all creatures in the animal...
Dec 13, 20183 min read
Willy the Woodchuck Q&A: He's a Nutty Guy
Get to know the furriest forest preserve representative. Willy the Woodchuck has been around for decades, living off the land and you may...
Dec 12, 20183 min read
Birds to Watch for in the Winter
Late fall and winter can be a great time to look for birds, because they are easier to spot in empty trees and bare forests. In northern...
Dec 3, 20182 min read
These Owl Facts Are a Real Hoot
Owls are one of the most mysterious birds we see in Illinois. This is partly because they are nocturnal, which means they are usually...
Nov 8, 20181 min read
Learn About Leaves, the Plant's Food Factory
While humans and animals eat plants and other animals for food, plants have the ability to make their own food. This process is called...
Oct 30, 20182 min read
How Do Animals Decide Where to Live?
Animals big and small have one thing in common. They all need shelter! Some animals live in tall trees hidden in the branches. Some...
Oct 17, 20181 min read
Spread Your Wings With These Bird Facts
Impress your friends with some feathered trivia. Birds are the only animals with feathers. Although all birds have wings, a few species...
Sep 29, 20182 min read
Plants are Getting Ready for Winter
Animals aren't the only ones working hard to make it through the cold months. Plants make and store food to help them live and grow...
Apr 19, 20181 min read
Get Lost in Space
Summer is the perfect time to stay out late and look up into the sky! From our backyards, we can see stars, the moon, satellites and even...
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