The more you know

Dandelions are common weeds that benefit lawns by loosening soil and bringing up nutrients. Their greens are nutritious and used in salads, rich in vitamins and iron. Historically, dandelions have medicinal uses for various ailments. They grow almost anywhere, with deep roots and thousands of seeds. The name comes from French, meaning “lion’s tooth,” inspired by jagged leaves. In France, they’re called “pissenlit” due to their diuretic effects.

Soil is made of minerals, organic material, air and water and is full of living organisms. It forms very slowly over time, shaped by climate, organisms, landscape, parent material, and time (CLORPT). Particles in dirt are categorized into three groups: clay, sand and silt. Soil varies in texture and color depending on its mineral content. In Illinois, the state soil is Drummer, rich in organic matter from decomposing prairie plants and is found on over 1.5 million acres.

More than 250 years ago, French fur traders and Potawatomi people in Illinois wore very different undergarments - or none at all. Potawatomi wore loincloths or simple skirts with no undergarments. French people wore linen shifts or shirts to absorb sweat and dirt, as they bathed less often. Wealthy individuals had many, others had few. Girls wore layers like petticoats and stays. Laundry was tough, sometimes using stale urine or scrubbing with soap and water!

“Mangy mutt” may sound playful, but mange is a serious, contagious skin disease caused by direct contact with mites. It leads to hair loss, scabs, and severe discomfort in mammals like dogs, coyotes, and squirrels. Mange weakens animals, making them lethargic, depressed and susceptible to infections. It’s diagnosed via skin scraping examination and can be treated with medication, though severe cases may be fatal. Mites can also affect humans, causing scabies, which is treatab

Both beavers and muskrats are semi aquatic rodents that live in lodges with brown fur and long tails making them hard to tell apart in the water. They are not closely related but have evolved to have many shared behaviors and traits. The main differences between them are their size and tail shapes. Beavers are considerably larger and longer than muskrats and have flat, wide tails while a muskrat has a long, skinny tail covered in black hairs. Also, only beavers build dams whi

You can hear a woodpecker’s tattooing, or tapping, echo throughout the whole forest, especially from late winter through early spring. Woodpeckers will use more than just trees as their stage to make the most noise. The main reasons for tattooing include attracting mates, claiming territory (aggressive drumming), and to communicate with their partners. Woodpeckers peck away at trees for food and can find where insects are hiding based on sound.

tailed deer stay warm in winter with thick fur and hollow guard hairs that trap warm air, like a natural blanket. They also stay dry with oils that repel moisture. Other animals, like birds, otters and beavers, use similar methods. These adaptations inspire winter gear like puffy coats and new wetsuit designs. To stay safe outside in winter, wear layers and stay dry Just like the animals do!

Snakes prepare for winter by finding a hibernaculum - a cozy spot that stays above freezing. Being cold-blooded, they can’t generate body heat, so they stop eating and try to find a warm enough spot – often underground below the frost line - to survive the cold. Sometimes, many snakes share one space, creating a "mating ball" in spring. You can build a backyard hibernaculum to support snakes and other wildlife!