A Blog About Nature in Our DuPage Forest Preserves
Jennifer Rydzewski
Jennifer Rydzewski is an environmental interpreter for Forest Preserve District. She has a B.S. in animal sciences and an M.S. in natural resources and environmental sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an M.A. in zoology focusing on community-based conservation and experiential learning from Miami University. Her 10+ years of professional experience in environmental education include outdoor, classroom, community, zoo and residential camp settings. Her favorite things about being a naturalist are learning something new every single day and sharing excitement about nature with others.
After the last leaves fall and the cold winds start to blow, winter settles across DuPage County. Ground squirrels and woodchucks hunker down in underground burrows.
Gardening with native plants has many rewards, but it can also pose some challenges. The beautiful flowers may attract pollinators, but they may also attract unwanted critters, like rabbits that eat your phlox or squirrels that dig up your bluebells.