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Colorful Connections: The Science Behind Rainbows
  • Jul 12, 2019
  • 2 min

Colorful Connections: The Science Behind Rainbows

Rainbows give excitement, awe and inspiration to most everyone who views them. They are beautiful, magical and fleeting. Read on to disco...
Why Do Bees Sting?
  • Jun 27, 2019
  • 2 min

Why Do Bees Sting?

The buzz of a bee may cause you to freeze in fear of its painful sting. But should you be worried every time you see a bee? And why do be...
In Living Color: Do You See Like Animals Do?
  • Jun 13, 2019
  • 2 min

In Living Color: Do You See Like Animals Do?

We see all the colors of the rainbow. We learn the helpful name Roy G. Biv to help us remember the colors in order: red, orange, yellow, ...
Why Do Bees Have Pockets? For Pollen, Of Course
  • May 24, 2019
  • 1 min

Why Do Bees Have Pockets? For Pollen, Of Course

Do you like to stuff the pockets of your pants and jackets with things you find during the day? So do bees. That’s right. Some bees, incl...
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?
  • May 23, 2019
  • 1 min

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 w...
The Mysterious Mayapple and Its Poisonous Fruit
  • May 3, 2019
  • 2 min

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 ...
Nature's Disgusting Side: Rabbits Eat Their Poop
  • Apr 11, 2019
  • 1 min

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. Rabbi...
Hooray for Earth Month!
  • Apr 2, 2019
  • 3 min

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. W...
Skunk Cabbage: Strange and Stinky
  • Mar 7, 2019
  • 2 min

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...
Why Don't Fish Freeze in the Winter?
  • Mar 4, 2019
  • 1 min

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 surpris...
What Animals Are Hibernating Right Now?
  • Feb 6, 2019
  • 3 min

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, k...
Nutty Facts About Squirrels
  • Feb 4, 2019
  • 2 min

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 ...
Common Owls of Will County
  • Jan 15, 2019
  • 1 min

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...
How Are Snowflakes Made?
  • Jan 10, 2019
  • 2 min

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 h...
The Scoop on Animal Poop
  • Jan 2, 2019
  • 2 min

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 king...
Willy the Woodchuck Q&A: He's a Nutty Guy
  • Dec 13, 2018
  • 3 min

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...
Birds to Watch for in the Winter
  • Dec 12, 2018
  • 3 min

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 ...
These Owl Facts Are a Real Hoot
  • Dec 3, 2018
  • 2 min

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 onl...
Learn About Leaves, the Plant's Food Factory
  • Nov 8, 2018
  • 1 min

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 ph...
How Do Animals Decide Where to Live?
  • Oct 30, 2018
  • 2 min

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 anima...
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