Nature's Storytellers

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.

Recent Posts

The Sweet Story of Honey Bees

on 8/8/22 9:55 AM By | Jennifer Rydzewski | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Take 5 Wildlife Nature
Honeybees are arguably the most well-known pollinator, but did you know that honeybees are not even native to North America? Apis mellifera, the domesticated European honey bee, originated in Europe but is now common around the world — and for good reason. These hardworking bees are the only insect to create a product used by humans — honey. How sweet is that?
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A Moment for Millipedes

on 7/26/22 1:15 PM By | Jennifer Rydzewski | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Take 5 Wildlife Nature
The next time you hit the trails at a DuPage forest preserve, keep an eye out for the North American millipede, Narceus americanus, also called the “iron worm” for its armored appearance.
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Show Some Loving for Opossums

on 7/15/20 3:13 PM By | Jennifer Rydzewski | 0 Comments | Insider Wildlife Nature
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) probably won’t win any popularity contests based on its looks.
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Where the Native Plants Grow

Planting native plants in our yards and gardens is gaining popularity for good reasons.
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Have Coin, Will Travel

on 2/11/20 1:58 PM By | Jennifer Rydzewski | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Recreation Group
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
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Life Under Ice

on 12/17/18 1:42 PM By | Jennifer Rydzewski | 0 Comments | Insider Take 5 Wildlife Conservation Nature
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.
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Solutions to Common Garden Challenges

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.
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