Willy's Wilderness

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

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...

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....

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....

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Oct 17, 2018
1 min

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...