Nature's Storytellers

A Blog About Nature in Our DuPage Forest Preserves

Mayslake Art Exhibit "Double Vision: Cooperative Art"

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what about art? It too is subject to interpretation, as two artistic groups from Mayslake Peabody Estate prove in their collaborative virtual art exhibit titled “Double Vision: Cooperative Art.”
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Engineer Devises System to Stop Zebra Mussel Spread

A longtime battle to keep invasive zebra mussels in the West Branch Forest Preserve’s Deep Quarry Lake in Bartlett from spreading to the adjacent West Branch DuPage River took an innovative twist thanks to a method devised by a Forest Preserve District civil engineer.
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Start a New Chapter with Mayslake Book Club

Explore nature, art and history as it relates to the natural world with Mayslake's “Nature Art & Culture Peabody’s Pages Book Club Three-Part Discussion,” which starts its second year Jan. 8 (mornings) and Jan. 19 (evenings)!
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As the Seasons Change: A Soil Opera

on 12/2/20 8:15 AM By | Stephanie Touzalin | 0 Comments | Insider Plants Wildlife Nature native plant
Soil. Mud. Dirt. Earth. That stuff on the ground that’s always been there and always looks pretty much the same. Not too much happening down there, right? Wrong.
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What Do Bees Do in the Winter?

One of the more frequent questions we beekeepers are asked is “What do bees do in the winter?”
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Six Hiking Essentials

on 11/17/20 10:39 AM By | Dave Andrusyk | 0 Comments | Insider Trails Health and wellness Recreation Take 5 Nature
Whether you’re new to hiking or a regular walker on DuPage forest preserve’s 166 miles of trails, there are at least 6 essentials you should bring with you every time you head out on a hike.
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Raccoon Gets a Second Chance at Life

This year has been challenging for all of us, even our native wildlife. In early August, a young raccoon was found almost lifeless and covered in oil inside a restaurant grease trap.
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Wolf Spider: Friend or Foe?

on 10/27/20 11:52 AM By | Forest Preserve District of DuPage County | 0 Comments | Insider Take 5 Wildlife Nature
Ranging in size from half an inch to over two inches, these large, hairy spiders may be the fuel of nightmares for some people. 
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Stressed Out? We've Got Just the Thing

How has 2020 been for you? If you’re like most people, it’s been a bit stressful with the pandemic, working from home and e-learning.
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Celebrate the Mighty Oak in OAKtober

It’s fall and that means trees will soon be showing their colors. Who can resist a stroll on a crisp fall afternoon to gaze at nature’s colorful changes?
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It's for the Birds

on 9/24/20 8:36 AM By | Keriann Dubina | 0 Comments | Insider Recreation Take 5 Wildlife Nature
Do you like birds and wish you knew more about them? There are a few simple steps you can take to welcome birds in to your backyard and begin to identify them.
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Relocating Fish to a New Spring Brook

on 9/14/20 11:50 AM By | Scott Meister | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Wildlife Conservation Nature
Restoration of Spring Brook as it flows through Blackwell Forest Preserve includes building a new stream channel and removing a dam to provide better habitat and a gentler slope to allow fish to swim upstream.
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Bee Informed About Native Bees

on 9/9/20 1:16 PM By | Keriann Dubina | 0 Comments | Insider Locations Wildlife Conservation Nature native plant
Did you know Illinois is home to more than 500 species of native bees?
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Colt Inspires Volunteer's Artwork

The birth of a newborn — a foal, that is —inspired Danada Equestrian Center volunteer Deb Yatka to pick up her pencils and begin to sketch — something she hasn’t done for many years.
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Walking in the Rain

Have you ever planned a hiking trip at a DuPage forest preserve, only to find out that the sunny nice day you were planning has turned into a grey, rainy day?
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Blanding's Yearlings Released in DuPage Preserves

With perpetual smiles on their faces, Blanding’s turtle yearlings raised by DuPage Forest Preserve District partners were recently released in DuPage forest preserves.
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Five Ways to Relax in DuPage Forest Preserves

With all that’s happening in the world this year, it helps to find ways to take time for ourselves and relax. And it’s good for you!
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A Decade of Studying the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

on 8/11/20 4:06 PM By | Tom Velat | 0 Comments | Insider Health and wellness Wildlife Nature
Populations of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly have grown from little more than 100 to 2,000 in the 10 years DuPage Forest Preserve District ecologists have been studying, nurturing and protecting the rare butterfly.
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Barred Owl Soars to Freedom with Help from Willowbrook

A barred owl injured after being struck by a vehicle was one of many birds released on a recent sunny day at McDowell Grove Forest Preserve after being treated at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.
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Get Hooked on Fishing

A lot of people are looking for fun things to do outdoors close to home. If you haven’t already, why not try fishing?
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