The Forest Preserve District of Will County brings people and nature together. Also us: @TodaysBird | @WildlifeofDay | @TodaysBaldEagle | @TodayInNature.

Will County, Illinois
Joined October 2009
Love them or find them a little too crafty, raccoons are common in Illinois. Their nimble paws and varied diet help them thrive in habitats from woodlands to neighborhoods! 馃摳: Joe Viola #WillCoForests #Raccoons #Wildlife
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Venomous mammals? Believe it or not! The short-tailed shrew is the only venomous mammal in the U.S. Its saliva contains a toxin that can paralyze or kill prey. 馃摳: Laurie Lasseter #WillCoForests #ShortTailedShrew #Wildlife
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Let's learn about the Nature Word of The Day! #WordOfTheDay #WillCoForests #Woodcock
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Seeing a coyote in Illinois is not unusual. Give them space, never feed them and keep pets supervised. If one approaches, stand tall, wave your arms and make noise. 馃摳: Laurie Lasseter #WillCoForests #Coyotes #Wildlife
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Stink bugs are seeking shelter as temperatures drop. They don鈥檛 bite or sting, but they do stink! Seal cracks around your home and gently remove any you find indoors. 馃摳: Shutterstock #StinkBug #Fall #WillCoForests
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Hopefully this video isn鈥檛 too boring! Sorry we can鈥檛 control the slugs' speed. #Slugs #WillCoForests #SlowAndSteadyWinsTheRace
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Keep an eye out for Cooper's hawks! These expert hunters use their short wings and long tails to maneuver through trees. You may even spot one near a bird feeder, watching for birds instead of seed! 馃摳: Laurie Lasseter #CoopersHawk #WillCoForests #BirdWatch
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Ever wonder how spiders make their webs? Their silk starts as a liquid, then hardens into strong, flexible fibers through tiny structures called spinnerets. Spiders use silk for webs, nests, egg sacs and safety lines! 馃摳: Irene DeTella #Spiders #SpiderWebs #WillCoForests
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Think pelicans use their giant bill pouches like lunch boxes? Think again! They scoop up fish and other aquatic prey, then swallow their catch right away. Their pouches can hold up to 3 gallons of water! 馃摳: Joe Viola #Pelicans #BirdWatch #WillCoForests
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Nature can be tough to witness. In great egrets and other birds, stronger nestlings may kill weaker siblings while competing for food. This behavior is more common when food is scarce. 馃摳: Dave Cheli #WillCoForests #Egrets #BirdWatching
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Red-winged blackbirds have opposite styles! Males are glossy black with bright red and yellow shoulder patches, while females are streaky brown, helping them blend into their surroundings. 馃摳: Anthony Schalk #RedWingedBlackbirds #BirdWatching #WillCoForests
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Do you need a spooky shirt for Halloween? We鈥檝e got you with many different styles for the whole fam! As always, all orders include free shipping. Buy yours today before Halloween gets here! #HalloweenShirts #Wildlife #OutsiderThreads #WillCoForests
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Fall is the perfect time to blaze a trail! Take on GPS missions, photo challenges and trivia across Will County Forest Preserves. Join 2026 Be a Trailblazer in the GooseChase app by searching for 2026 Be a Trailblazer or enter code JYBKK4. #WillCoForests #BeATrailblazer
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Isn't it so cool seeing a butterfly stages of life through pictures? From green chrysalis to fully hatched, nature鈥檚 transformation is pretty amazing! 馃摳: Jen Radwan #Butterflies #Nature #WillCoForests
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Think chipmunks are quiet? Think again! They use high-pitched chips, chucks and trills to communicate, warn of predators and defend their territory. Listen closely and you might mistake one for a bird! 馃摳: Joe Viola #Chipmunks #Wildlife #WillCoForests
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Meet the axolotl! This aquatic salamander keeps its juvenile features for life and can regenerate lost limbs. 馃摳: Adobe Stock #Axolotl #WillCoForests #AquaticCreatures #Salamander
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So many bees and so many jobs that they are responsible for! Don鈥檛 forget to come back next week for our final part in the series! #Bees #Nature #WillCoForests #BeeJobs
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Squirrels listen to birds for danger clues. Hawk calls mean stay alert, while songbird chatter means forage. 馃摳: Anthony Schalk #Squirrels #WillCoForests #Birds #Hawks
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As temperatures cool, lakes begin fall turnover. Cooler, denser water sinks and mixes with deeper layers, redistributing oxygen and nutrients. It occurs in Monee Reservoir, Whalon Lake and Chaminwood. 馃摳: Chad Merda #CoolTemperature #WillCoForests #FallTurnover
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Spot a furry brown animal swimming? It might be a muskrat! Smaller than beavers, they build lodges and stay active all year long. If you want to spot one, look for their thin, rat-like tails, heads, and backs above the water. 馃摳: Amy Miller #Muskrat #WillCoForests
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