Theodore Marsh

08/30/2026

Have you ever seen this caterpillar crawling around? This is a Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar. Let's learn more about it!

08/23/2026

Centipedes and millipedes may look alike, but they’re quite different! Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment and are predators, while millipedes have two pairs per segment and mostly munch on decaying plant matter. If a many legged critter scurries away, it’s likely a centipede. If it curls into a ball, you’ve probably found a millipede!

(Photo via Shutterstock)

Is that creepy crawly covered in legs a centipede or a millipede? Here's how to tell. 

08/16/2026

Up close with a pollinator!

Romeoville kindergarten teacher, Nancy “Gaby” Valladolid, won July’s Preserve the Moment photo contest with this incredible close-up of a two-spotted bumblebee covered in pollen while visiting an anise hyssop at Isle a la Cache Preserve.

For Gaby, photographing nature is about slowing down, appreciating pollinators and sharing that joy with others.

Nancy "Gaby" Valladolid snapped July's winning shot at Isle a la Cache preserve. The contest continues through Dec. 31.

08/09/2026

Make a wish! 🌠

The Perseids meteor shower peaks Aug. 12–13, and a new moon means exceptionally dark skies for spotting shooting stars. Join us at Forked Creek Preserve on Aug. 12th from 8–11 p.m. for Perseids in the Preserves and experience the night sky in the preserve.

(Photo via Adobe Stock)

08/02/2026

Coatis are close relatives of raccoons, but unlike their nocturnal cousins, they're active during the day. They use their long tails for balance while climbing and spend their time searching for fruit, insects, eggs, and small animals.

(Photo via Adobe Stock)

07/26/2026

Animal tails stories continue! Here are some facts about fox tails.

07/20/2026

Did you know Illinois was once home to bison, black bears, wolves and even cougars?

Hundreds of years ago, these incredible mammals roamed the prairie state. As habitats changed and hunting increased, many disappeared from Illinois. Which one surprises you the most?

Just a few hundred years ago, animals that populated Illinois were different than what we see today.

07/12/2026

White-tailed deer may blend in among the trees, but these graceful animals have some impressive abilities.

They can sprint up to 30 miles per hour, leap as high as 8 feet, and are surprisingly strong swimmers. To stay safe, they rely on their sharp eyesight and excellent hearing to detect danger long before it gets too close.

(Photo courtesy of Joe Viola)

07/05/2026

Leatherback sea turtles are unlike any turtles you’ll find in Illinois. Instead of a hard shell, they have a leathery, streamlined carapace that allows them to dive more than 4,000 feet below the ocean’s surface and stay underwater for up to 85 minutes.

These gentle giants also play an important role in ocean ecosystems by eating massive amounts of jellyfish, helping keep marine food webs in balance. But despite their incredible adaptations, leatherback populations are declining due to habitat loss, marine debris, fishing gear entanglement and other human-caused threats.

By reducing plastic waste, cleaning up litter and respecting wildlife from a distance, we can all help protect these remarkable ocean travelers.

Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtle on earth — growing to more than 50 times as heavy as the common snapping turtles we see here in northern Illinois.

06/28/2026

Want to attract more birds to your yard? Start with a birdbath!

Place it near shrubs for safety, keep the water fresh, and clean it regularly to create a healthy oasis for your feathered visitors. A little maintenance goes a long way in helping birds stay hydrated and clean all year long.

Once you decide to add a birdbath to your yard, you need to commit to maintaining it to make it safe and healthy for visiting birds.