Willy's Wilderness

Aug 13, 2021
5 min

Take Some Time to Watch the Clouds Roll By

Clouds can make or break our day. They are what deliver the precipitation all life on Earth depends on. They also make us more...

Jul 30, 2021
5 min

Wolves, Bears, Elk Were Once Common Across Illinois

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my? Maybe in some parts of the world, but not in Illinois. The mammals that live here are a little more...

Jul 16, 2021
3 min

There's Another World in the Soil Beneath Your Feet

What is soil? It’s the unconsolidated mineral and organic matter that is on the immediate surface of the earth. Let’s break that down....

Jul 13, 2021
2 min

Why Do Spiders Have So Many Eyes?

More doesn’t always mean better. One good example of that is spiders and their eyes. Most spiders have eight eyes, but most don't have...

Jun 29, 2021
2 min

A Tale of Two Snapping Turtles

You may have heard that a snapping turtle has a powerful bite. So much so that it’s a good idea to keep your distance if you see one in...

Jun 18, 2021
3 min

There's Plenty of Stinkers in the Animal Kingdom

When it comes to animals that produce a bad smell, a certain black-and-white critter immediately comes to mind. However, skunks aren't...

Jun 11, 2021
3 min

From Chucklings to Joeys, Baby Animal Names Are Too Cute

Almost nothing in nature is cuter than a baby animal, but some of the terms used for baby animals are almost as cute as the babies...

Jun 7, 2021
2 min

Why Is the Grass Greener After a Storm?

June is the start of thunderstorm season in Will County. And thunderstorms have a weird side effect. They make grass greener! But how...

May 25, 2021
3 min

What's the Difference: Venomous Vs. Poisonous

At the Forest Preserve District, one of the more common questions we get is whether a particular snake is poisonous or if there are any...

May 11, 2021
2 min

Is It OK To Leave Out Nesting Material for Birds?

Have you ever looked at a bird’s nest up close? It is impressive how they are able to weave together their nesting materials into such a...

May 7, 2021
3 min

What's the Difference: Lizards vs. Salamanders

Walking up to Plum Creek Nature Center, visitors see a big blue cement creature named Spot. Spot is on our signs, in our playground and...

May 4, 2021
3 min

Why Do Birds Fly Into Windows?

Cats kill billions of birds every year in the United States and Canada, but there's another culprit in as many as 1 billion additional...

Apr 23, 2021
3 min

Five Fun Facts About Those Dandy Dandelions

Do you love dandelions or hate them? They can be a pretty pop of yellow in your yard in the spring, but many people do not like them...

Apr 16, 2021
3 min

Water, Water Everywhere: A Cycle That Never Stops

Water is essential to all life on Earth, but it cannot be created. Instead, it has been cycling in the same way since long before people...

Mar 30, 2021
3 min

Where Does Dirt Come From?

When we’re outside, dirt is always underfoot. Did you ever wonder where it came from? When we talk about the dirt outdoors, what we are...

Mar 26, 2021
3 min

The Fascinating World of Fungus

"There's fungus among us" may just be a clever saying, but it rings true. Fungus is all around us, in more places than you probably...

Mar 16, 2021
3 min

Blast From The Past: The Underwear Of Yesteryear

Animals don’t wear any clothes. They don’t even wear underwear! But most of us do. You’re probably wearing underwear right now. But what...

Mar 5, 2021
2 min

Mange In Animals Is Nothing To Joke About

Has anyone ever called a dog you know a "mangy mutt”? It seems innocent, maybe reserved for a lovable dog that got itself into trouble on...

Mar 2, 2021
2 min

Rest Easy: You Don't Swallow Spiders While Sleeping

At some time or another, you’ve probably heard that humans swallow eight spiders a year while sleeping. No matter how you feel about...

Feb 26, 2021
3 min

What's The Difference: Beaver Vs. Muskrat

We have many animals living in habitats all around us that are semiaquatic, which means they spend time both on land and in water. It can...