Eileen Davis and Jan Ward, Environmental Educators, recently conducted separate water quality studies of two ponds in Lake County. Take a look at what they found.
A Tale of Two Ponds: Eileen
A Tale of Two Ponds: Jan
Stay curious and learn about local nature with Jan Ward, Environmental Educator.
Art, Arches and Forts
Fall Leaf Hunt
Imagination
National Pollinators Month: Jan’s Garden
Pond Scooping
Rocks
Senses
A biweekly Q&A series featuring a panel of educators excited to share their expertise about Lake County nature and history.
February 10, 2021: The Last Ice Age
January 13, 2021: Winter Tracking
December 9, 2020: Enjoying Winter in the Forest Preserves
November 25, 2020: All Things Preserves
October 30, 2020: Adlai Stevenson II
October 14, 2020: Play in the Preserves
September 30, 2020: Buckthorn Removal and Healthy Hedges
September 2, 2020: Nighttime Insects
August 19, 2020: Hummingbirds and Monarchs
August 5, 2020: Paddlesports
July 22, 2020: Turtle Talk
July 8, 2020: Weather
June 24, 2020: Semi-Aquatic Mammals
June 10, 2020: Nocturnal Animals
May 27, 2020: Birds and Native Plants
May 20, 2020: Backyard Birds and Native Plants
Photos, facts, and videos straight from the backyard bird feeder of Mark Hurley, Environmental Educator.
Dark-Eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Brown Creeper
American Robin
Brown-Headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Enjoy scenes from our Blanding's Turtle Recovery Program, an effort to boost local populations of the state endangered Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii).
Good Luck, Turt Reynolds!
Welcome to the Founders Circle
Learn timely facts and tidbits once a week about the wildlife you might see in the preserves, and in your yard or neighborhood.
Katydid
We are stewards. Storytellers. Educators. Explorers. We are dedicated to sharing the entwined stories of people, events and nature through exhibitions, education and community engagement.
Bonner Heritage Farm Cider Press
Dunn Museum Holiday Sale 2020
Not DUNN Yet: Hominy Bread
Not DUNN Yet: Parker House Rolls
Not DUNN Yet: Soft Ginger Cookies
Spotlight on Collections Care
The First People
Enjoy peaceful winter scenes from the triple bird feeders of Mark Hurley, Environmental Educator II.
Dark-Eyed Juncos
House Sparrows
February 8, 2021
February 1, 2021
January 25, 2021
January 11, 2021
January 4, 2021
Mourning Doves
December 28, 2020
December 14, 2020
See how staff takes care of our education animals behind-the-scenes.
Fox Snake Shed
Hope You’re Owl Doing Well
Join Jenny Sazama, Environmental Educator, for fun nature activities designed for children ages 2–4.
Hawks
Water
Woolly Bear Caterpillars
Tag along with Mark Hurley, Environmental Educator, on his nature walks through the preserves to learn about the common and not-so-common plants and animals he finds.
Part One
Part Two
Enjoy 60 seconds of serene scenes from the preserves.
Fort Sheridan
Hastings Lake
Lyons Woods
MacArthur Woods
Old School
Pine Dunes
Rollins Savanna
Ryerson Woods: Part One
Ryerson Woods: Part Two
Van Patten Woods
Has quarantine meant spending a *lot* of time testing new recipes? Try stretching your child’s imagination with a different culinary space: a mud kitchen.
Creating a Mud Kitchen
Creating with Mud
Stocking a Mud Kitchen
Tag along with April Vaos, Environmental Educator, as she explores nature in her backyard.
Whose Scat is That?
Frogs and Toads
Want to walk in a preserve, but can’t get there right this moment? Try a soothing One-Minute Walk video to tide you over.
Ryerson Woods
Other Resources
Ask An Educator
Cardinal Cam
Coyote Choir Practice
Halloween Hikes Through the Years
Happy National Reptile Appreciation Day
Happy Thanksgiving from Tom Turkey
How to Identify Poison Ivy
How to Properly Plant a Tree
How to Remove Garlic Mustard
Make Snow Ice Cream
Virtual Program: Fishing at Independence Grove
Virtual Program: Profiles in Excellence
People love to paddle. Our staff know a lot of places to paddle. Sounds like a match.
Independence Grove Canoe Launch
Russel Road Canoe Launch
Sedge Meadow Canoe Launch
Sedge Meadow to Gowe Park, Part One
Sedge Meadow to Gowe Park, Part Two
Van Patten Woods
Hear seasonal messages from Angelo Kyle, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves.
A Message from President Kyle
Take a Breather
Take a break with short, relaxing nature videos.
Double Rainbow
Fort Sheridan
Sycamore and Sky
Listen to children’s stories read by our educators.
National Tell a Story Day: Stellaluna
Story Time with April: “Jump!”
Learn more about Lake County's beautiful, native wildflowers with Eileen Davis and Mark Hurley, Environmental Educators.
Wildflower Walk at Ryerson Woods: Part One
Wildflower Walk at Ryerson Woods: Part Two
We love wildlife. Especially on Wednesdays.
Slow-Mo Hummingbird
Snowberry Clearwing Moth
Two Cranes and a Colt
What are the woods telling us? Have you ever stopped for a moment to listen? Our podcast, Words of the Woods, can help.
Season 2 Trailer: Welcome Back to the Woods