McKinley Woods - Frederick's Grove/Kerry Sheridan Grove

09/05/2026

Not all bird lovers want blue jays hanging around their feeders because they can be bullies and drive other birds away. But if you’d like to see them hanging around your yard, one good way to do it is by keeping your feeders stocked with peanuts. Peanuts are a particular favorite, but they will also eat suet and sunflower seeds.

They are a little selective about the feeders they will eat from, preferring tray and hopper feeders to hanging feeders. If you’ve got oak trees nearby, don’t be surprised to see blue jays munching on acorns. Those are another food they are fond of. (Photos via Adobe Stock)

08/28/2026

Imagine looking out your window and spotting a bear, cougar or even a wolf. It may sound wild today, but these animals once called Illinois home. Take a look at some of the surprising wildlife from our not-so-distant past.

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

08/26/2026

Explore McKinley Woods in a new way in an afternoon paddling program! Join our certified kayak instructors for a relaxing paddle on the confluence of the Des Plaines and DuPage rivers while enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.

Sights of September Afternoon Paddle
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4
Where: McKinely Woods — Kerry Sheridan Grove
Registration is required.

9/4/2026: Come on a paddle adventure as we enjoy the sights of September on the confluence of the Des Plaines and DuPage rivers.

08/24/2026

Creature feature: The groundhog, aka woodchuck or whistle pig

This mammal of many names gets a lot of attention each year on its namesake holiday, but groundhogs don’t usually emerge from their monthslong hibernation until later in February than the Feb. 2 holiday. They live in their underground burrows year-round, but they have separate burrows they use for hibernation. Their cold-weather burrows are typically in woodlands, but their summer burrows are often in grassland or near farmland.

When we see groundhogs aboveground, they are often eating. They are omnivores, but their diet mostly consists of plants like grasses, leaves, bark and fruit. They have to eat a lot in the warmer months to prepare for hibernation. They can sometimes eat more than 1 pound of plant material a day!

Fun fact: The underground burrows where they live can be large and complex, with many different chambers. They even have a chamber that they use as a bathroom!

08/14/2026

McKinley Woods is just one of several preserves that showcase the region's history. There are plenty more preserves where you can learn about Will County's industrial and agricultural past, plus our Isle a la Cache Museum immerses visitors in the natural history of 18th century Illinois Country, when French voyageurs and Potawatomi traditions intersected during the fur trade era.

You may think of the preserves as places to connect with nature, but some preserves are also great locations to learn about our local history.

08/08/2026

Does a red-bellied woodpecker even have a red belly? Program coordinator Jess McQuown explains how they got their name.

08/01/2026

The bald eagle is our national emblem and our national bird. Here are a few more facts about this iconic raptor:

1. They clearly aren't bald, but the bald part of their name comes from the Middle English word "balde," which means white.
2. They often mate for life and will reuse their nests year after year.
3. They can swim! They don't do it often, but they will sometimes swim to shore after catching a meal.

(Photo courtesy of Chad Morsch)

07/25/2026

The great egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society, a testament to its founding with the purpose of protecting birds from death due to the feather trade.

07/18/2026

Program coordinator Jess McQuown tells us all about beaver tails and how beavers use them in the wild.

07/11/2026

It's officially the dog days of summer, but the weather doesn't really have anything to do with it.

The dog days of summer are here, both literally and metaphorically. Be sure to stay safe outdoors during periods of high heat and humidity.