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  • A group of six mourning doves perched on bare tree branches.

    Mourning doves named for their somber, sorrowful song

    11/18/2024
    Mourning doves aren't named for the time of day. Instead, they are called mourning doves because of their sad song. 
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  • A cottontail rabbit sitting in the grass with sunlight in the background.

    Quiz: How much do you know about rabbits?

    11/15/2024

    Rabbits are one of the most common animals we see in just about any open space, from the forest preserve to our yards and neighborhoods.

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  • A striped skunk walking in the grass.

    Five fun facts about those stinky skunks

    11/8/2024

    You might know a skunk on sight or smell, but there's probably plenty you don't know as well. Here's your chance to learn all about them.

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  • Two sandhill cranes standing in grasses and other vegetation facing in opposite directions.

    Quiz: How sharp are you when it comes to sandhill cranes?

    11/5/2024

    It's that time of year when you'll likely hear sandhill cranes overhead, and possibly see them. But do you know anything about them?

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  • A flying squirrel gliding through the air toward a tree.

    Flying squirrels? More like gliding squirrels

    11/4/2024

    You're probably familiar with gray squirrels and fox squirrels, but probably not southern flying squirrels. These nocturnal critters aren't often encountered, and their name is a bit of a misnomer, since they glide rather than fly. 

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  • A bat hanging upside down in a cave.

    Nature curiosity: What is white-nose syndrome?

    11/4/2024

    Since 2006, millions of bats have died of a fungal infection called white-nose syndrome. Further loses could be dire for an animal that is essential to our food supply and our ecosystems. 

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  • The full moon as seen through bare tree branches.

    More darkness in November means more sky-watching opportunities

    10/29/2024

    We're going to be experiencing a lot more darkness come November, but the silver lining is more sky-watching opportunities. 

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  • A cluster of nine stump puffballs growing on a fallen log with fallen leaves in the background.

    Puffballs are one mushroom that can be hard to resist

    10/28/2024

    It can be hard to resist the urge to give puffballs a little push, releasing their millions of spores into the air. 

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  • A red-tailed hawk in flight under a clear blue sky.

    Quiz: What's your red-tailed hawk IQ?

    10/28/2024

    Find out by answering these 10 questions.

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  • A closeup of a female wolf spider with spiderlings on her back.

    Quiz: What's your wolf spider IQ?

    10/23/2024

    Test your knowledge on these arachnids with this 10-question quiz.

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Current Headlines

Visit Forest Preserve gift shops this holiday season for unique items

11/18/2024
Three Forest Preserve visitor center gift shops are stocked with unique items that would be perfect as presents or stocking stuffers this holiday season. Check out the items at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Isle a la Cache Museum and Plum Creek Nature Center. 
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Forest Preserve Board approves balanced 2025 budget; property tax rate will decrease 27%

11/15/2024
The Forest Preserve's Board of Commissioners approved a balanced 2025 budget on Nov. 14. The spending plan includes a 27% drop in the property tax rate and funding for operations, maintenance, land acquisition and preserve improvement projects.
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