Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve

05/30/2026

The luna moth is one of the most striking moths in North America, known for its pale green wings, long tails and moon-like spots.

These nocturnal moths only live for about a week as adults and don’t even have mouths or digestive systems. Their short lives are spent focused entirely on reproduction, making every sighting feel a little more special.

The luna moth is one of the easiest moths to identify, both because of its large size and pale green coloring.

05/23/2026

Ever notice tiny moving dots in the soil or grass? Meet microarthropods like springtails and mites.

These tiny organisms are busy behind the scenes breaking down organic matter, recycling nutrients, and keeping soil healthy and productive. They play a huge role in supporting ecosystems even though most of the time we never see them.

Next time you spot one, remember the smallest life in the soil is doing some of the biggest work for nature.

Tiny but mighty microarthropods are tiny bugs that do a lot of good despite their small size. 

05/16/2026

Baltimore orioles get most of the attention in spring, but they are not the only orioles in Illinois.

Orchard orioles also return each year, with males showing rich maroon and chestnut coloring instead of bright orange. They are less likely to visit feeders but may still sip nectar or enjoy fruit when available.

Several other oriole species live across the United States, each adapted to different regions and habitats.

Baltimore orioles are one of the most anticipated birds each spring. Learn more about them with these five fun facts.

05/09/2026

Bee swarms are a normal spring behavior for honeybees when a colony becomes too crowded and splits to form a new hive.

They may look intimidating, but swarming bees are usually calm because they are not defending a nest. The swarm is temporary while scout bees search for a new home.

Why do bees swarm? Because they've outgrown the hive.

05/02/2026

Burls want to have fun!

04/25/2026

Take a step outside and think about what’s beneath your feet.

It might look like plain dirt, but it’s actually soil and there’s a big difference. Soil is a living, breathing mix of minerals, organic matter, water and air that supports all the life around us. Dirt, on the other hand, is what’s left when that life-giving system breaks down.

Healthy soil takes hundreds to thousands of years to form, but it only takes a moment to appreciate just how important it is to everything growing around us.

We use the terms soil and dirt interchangeably, but they are not one and the same. Dirt is one component of soil, which is a complex mixture of several components.

04/18/2026

Have you ever tried a color walk?

Before you head out, pick a color and challenge yourself to spot as many things as you can in that shade along the way. It’s a fun way to slow down, notice the little details, and see nature in a whole new way.

Here’s what it might look like if you choose yellow for your walk! Even if it is a small amount of that color, count it for the game!

04/11/2026

Red-bellied woodpeckers are often mistaken for red-headed woodpeckers because of their red caps, but there are clear ways to tell them apart. Their backs and wings feature striking black and white stripes, while their bellies are creamy white with subtle reddish patches. Sometimes the red on their bellies is faint or hidden by white feathers, which can make their namesake feature hard to spot.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is a government organization in Illinois focusing on land preservation and restoration, outdoor recreation, and environmental education.

03/28/2026

From pelicans to robins and sandhill cranes to turkey vultures, the arrival of many birds in our area is among the most anticipated parts of the season.

A look at some of our feathered friends you may start seeing return, if you haven't already

03/21/2026

Ever notice some trees still holding onto their brown leaves all winter? Trees like oaks and beeches can be marcescent, meaning they keep their dried leaves until spring instead of dropping them in the fall. Scientists aren’t completely sure why, but it may help protect young trees from wildlife or help them compete for nutrients. When new leaves begin to grow in spring, the old ones finally fall, continuing nature’s cycle

In the fall, the changing of the seasons means deciduous trees shed their leaves. But not all deciduous trees seem to get the memo when it comes to losing their leaves.