Pool 13, the portion of the mighty Mississippi River between a pair of dams in northwest Illinois, is chock full of wildlife on the ground and in the air, enjoyable by river travelers from the banks and on the boats, from Bellevue to Fulton.

Drum circles, kayaking, bird watching also on the Forest Preserve District of Will County's upcoming program schedule. Online registration is available at reconnectwithnature.org.

Endangered leafy prairie clover was found for first the time since 1873 by volunteer conservationist Karen Horn on Langham Island, located near the Kankakee River State Park. The island is also the only known home to the Kankakee mallow flower.

Kane County Audubon will host a number of events inviting the public to enjoy nature this fall. Here’s what’s happening in October:

Endangered leafy prairie clover was recently found by volunteer Karen Horn on Langham Island near the Kankakee River State Park after not being seen since 1873.

Four Rivers Educational Center in Channahon will host two upcoming programs for students who are homeschooled.

Experience how nature fuels creativity during the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Festival of Arts Through Nature from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

On a sultry summer day in early July, four Will County forest preserve employees gingerly stepped into Spring Creek. The hope was to find a specific mussel species that has vanished from DuPage County but present in Will County.

Tracy Chapman, the executive director of the Forest Preserve District of Will County said, “Hadley Valley is a living breathing example of what long term restoration and collaboration can achieve.”

The public is invited to a celebration from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Aug. 8, at Hadley Valley preserve in Joliet that marks two decades of wetland restoration tied to an O’Hare Airport expansion project.

There are a number of animals that feel very exotic to me, here in Northern Illinois: platypuses, lions, capybara, and armadillos. At least one of those may not be so exotic for much longer.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County in August brings its Friday Food Truck back along with coffee and birdwatching at the meeting of the DuPage and Des Plaines rivers.

Nature Foundation of Will County will hold a Trivia Night at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville and the Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve invites adults to an overnight camp out.

Summer camp is not only about nature and exploration. Youth campers also take first steps learning basic skills associated with a hammer and saw.

The Burgess Family, descendants of Englishman John Cragg, who built the original Cragg Cabin at Gose Lake Prairie, gathered at cabin’s replica over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate the American flag and their family history.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has reminded residents not to dump unwanted pets in the Forest Preserve after rescuing hybrid turtle.

Volunteers are needed to help a new group working to protect woodlands and other native plants at Moraine Hills State Park near McHenry.

Many people consider their backyard an oasis from life’s cares. But beware! Five potential dangers might be lurking there.

With spring here and temperatures slowly warming it is time to get out your bike and head out to these Will County trails.

The “Into the Wild Art Exhibition” runs Friday, July 5 through Aug. 30 at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook.

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon is joined by Three Rivers Public Library District in holding a walking book club.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging the public to be aware of ticks to prevent the spread of Lyme disease during these warm weather months.

The quest to find and relocate the endangered Kankakee River mussels has been completed, officials confirmed.

The Nature Foundation of Will County's latest donation will go toward education programming and public engagement at the Will County forest preserves.

New pedestrian bridge planned for Maple Grove Forest Preserve near Downers Grove

A free, family-friendly Pollinator Party is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville.

Come out for BYOB Bingo, enjoy a Friday Food Truck event or celebrate Father's Day with free fishing days at Will County forest preserves.

Two nature-themed art exhibits by Will County artists are now open at two Forest Preserve District of Will County visitor centers. A meet-the-artist event will be held Sunday in Channahon.

A major antiques show, date night options, entertainment at Morton Arboretum, vintage cars, debut of performance venue, festival fun and an arts weekend are all on tap in DuPage and Cook counties.

The Crystal Lake Nature Center's Butterly House is opening Saturday, and a see-through beehive can also now be viewed by visitors.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has come up with a unique way to remind visitors about the risk of car break-ins and how to prevent them this summer.

Hikers and kayakers will find special programs for them at Will County forest preserves this week.

The Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook is hosting an art exhibition by a Rhode Island artist who uses natural materials to create cuddly characters.

Dade Bradley of Wilmington is the new beekeeper to oversee the observational hive at the Plum Creek Nature Center in Will County.

Representatives from Great Lakes Urban Forestry will be performing the work on every tree located within the city of Joliet right-of-way.

A planned change in leadership at the Forest Preserve District of Will County takes place Friday when Executive Director Ralph Schultz retires.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has reopened the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook following a 15-month, $2 million renovation.

John Fuqua of Plainfield was named the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Volunteer of the Year for his work on Hammel Woods restoration efforts.  

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to leave baby birds and young animals alone when encountering them in the wild.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is celebrating bird season with its annual bird photography competition for all ages.

Edna Keith Elementary School students will join Joliet city officials in annual celebration of trees.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is inviting people to hit the trails again for the Be a Trailblazer program. Sessions runs from Thursday to Saturday, May 24.

Here are the Forest Preserve District of Will County programs for the week of April 21. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with a ribboncutting for the grand opening of the new wildlife display on the second floor of the grist mill museum.

As part of a restoration project required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers, Heidelberg Materials is in the process of enhancing its existing berm along Illinois Route 53 in Romeoville.

The members of the Pierce Downer’s Heritage Alliance are taking a breather after decades of service to Downers Grove and are passing the torch of community activism.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is inviting adventurers of all ages to take on a new kind of spring challenge – one that blends exploration and history.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville will host a spring exhibit that highlights pollinators beginning Wednesday.

A Wellness Workshop –Wellness Workshop – Our Place in Nature: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet.

Beginning Wednesday, a portion of the Rock Run Greenway Trail in Joliet is scheduled to close for several months.