Four Rivers Environmental Education Center

12/03/2023

Some birds naturally have a mean streak, and they may be driving other birds away from your yard and your bird feeders.

Some birds don’t play nice, and they often drive other birds away from feeders and even out of their nests.

12/01/2023

Whooo’s that you hear? Maybe it’s one of our local owls. Owls are heard more often than they are seen, but you can often tell what owl you are hearing by its call. Learn about the calls our local owls make in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Hoo hoo-hoo! Did you just hear an owl?! Listening to their night calls is the best way to enjoy the magic of owls in the fall and winter. Even if you never see them, their calls will let you know they are near. Why do owls hoot? Why do you talk? Or laugh? Or growl? Owls need to get their point acros...

11/30/2023

Allow nature to inspire you as you hike outdoors in the fall landscape and then head indoors to experience how animals perceive color in the world in this program from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Registration is required.

12/8/2023: Enjoy a hike then experience how other animals perceive colors by immersing yourself in a specialized ultraviolet-lit room.

11/29/2023

Winter is creeping in, and you may have noticed far fewer insects out and about. Find out where they all go when the cold starts to set in.

Where did all the insects go for winter? It depends on the species.

11/29/2023

Humans are far from the only builders in the animal kingdom. Lots of animals build their own homes, and at this time of year it’s much easier to find them in the trees. Take some inspiration from our local critters and try to replicate their homes with your building skills. Get started with this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

With most of the leaves gone, you might start to notice something super fun outside — all the animal homes! Come November, bird nests, squirrel dreys and skunk dens are suddenly all around. Can you copy their architectural style? Adventure in the field Go outside and look for the animal homes arou...

11/25/2023

Like with most ducks, you can spot wood ducks in our local waterways. But you might also see them perched up in trees. They are called wood ducks, after all. Learn more about them in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Our waters are home to many duck species, but none as ornate as the wood duck, which looks like a duck dressed up for a special occasion. As is common among ducks, it's the males that are most striking. They have bold white stripes with a chestnut breast and flashes of emerald green. Females are mor...

11/24/2023

Every so often some unexpected animals show up where we don't usually see them. Sometimes, it's so noteworthy even IDNR wants to keep a record of it.

Armadillos aren't normally seen in the northern part of Illinois and, when they are, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources wants to know about it. Same for black bears, cougars and gray wolves.

11/24/2023

Do you know someone who could benefit from an opportunity to explore Four Rivers on their own terms? Register for our Sensory Sunday program from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 3, for a chance to explore the building while it is closed to the public.

12/3/2023: This independent program offers guests a chance to experience Four Rivers Environmental Education Center’s exhibits and trails on their own terms. 

11/22/2023

The United States is home to a few eagle species, including the bald eagle and the golden eagle. However, only the bald eagle calls Illinois home. Learn what sets these two eagle species apart in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

11/19/2023

Many of our local owls are nocturnal, which means we don't see them in the preserves very often. Here's your chance to learn more about the eight owl species that call Will County home.

While you may hear them in the preserves, seeing them is a rare treat.

11/17/2023

Wetlands are vital ecosystems, and you can see why for yourself by making your own wetland at home to see how they work. Follow along with the simple steps in this instructional video from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Wetlands don’t necessarily look like the cleanest places. The water can look mucky with mud, plants and debris. Stuff is floating in them, and you can’t see the bottom like in a swimming pool. But all those layers of plants, roots, different types of soil, sand and more are acting like a filter,...

11/17/2023

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center was recently accredited as an inclusive facility for individuals with disabilities by the National Inclusion Project. We are proud to say it is the first nature center in the United States to receive the accreditation.

The National Inclusion Project’s first accreditation for a nature center has been awarded to the Forest Preserve District’s Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon. Months in the making, the accreditation shows Four Rivers is a facility where all visitors, regardless of ability-...

11/17/2023

The holidays can be a stressful time for women who are trying to get everything crossed of their to-do lists, so join us for a hike to unwind and enjoy the tranquility of nature. We'll be hiking the trails around Four Rivers from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Registration is required.

11/25/2023: This women-only hike is a way to get outside for a quick fitness walk during the busy holiday season.

11/16/2023

Daddy long legs are one of the most venomous spiders in the world? Not so, but the rumor has been circulating for generations.

11/14/2023

What looks like a fish and an alligator at the same time? An alligator gar! These fish aren't related to alligators, but one look at them and you'll know how they earned their common name. Learn more about these large fish in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Gar belong to a group of prehistoric fish, with many fossilized species dating back to the Jurassic Period. That is when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. There are now only seven types of gar remaining. Four species live in Illinois waterways: the spotted, shortnose, longnose and alligator gar. The allig...

11/11/2023

It might seem a little far-fetched that you can tell how old a ladybug is by counting its spots, and it is. The spots on a ladybug can't tell us much, but in some cases they are a clue to what species the insect is. Learn more about ladybugs and their spots in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Has anyone ever told you that you can tell a ladybug's age by counting its spots? Did that seem a little hard to believe? You’re right. It isn’t true. But lots of myths and legends surround a ladybug's spots. Many years ago, farmers believed the number of spots a ladybug had would tell them abou...

11/10/2023

Like fungi, lichens are neither plant nor animal. These common organisms exist virtually everywhere on Earth, but they are unique in how they form and live. We don't often pay much attention to this, but they are vital and deserve our appreciation.

Lichens are little known and not well understood, but they deserve our appreciation.

11/08/2023

Look closely next time you come across an acorn. Do you see a little hole on it? That hole a sign something is living inside. Learn about the acorn weevils that use acorns for their homes in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Take a walk in the woods in the fall and you’ll likely find acorns. Walk through a particularly oak-filled forest and you may find your feet rolling around on all the acorns like you’re wearing roller skates. Get up close, or rather down close, to all those fallen acorns. What do you notice? Oft...

11/05/2023

Ever seen a wild turkey in flight? Their ability to fly is one of the things that sets them apart from domesticated turkeys. Learn more about wild turkeys >>> https://bit.ly/3AlXwUX

11/03/2023

Common loons make many sounds to communicate, but the most well-known is an eerie-sounding wail that resonates across the lakes up north where they breed. Learn more about what they are saying with their different vocalizations in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Birds make a lot of noise in the woods, especially songbirds like cardinals, blue jays and robins. But one species of bird is a great noisemaker: the common loon. Don’t be fooled, though. The common loon is not a songbird! It’s not a duck either, even though it looks like one from far away. It b...

11/01/2023

Mighty oak trees are mighty for many reasons. They are giants among trees not just because of their size, but also because of all the life they support. Learn more about why we should appreciate these mighty trees in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Trees provide shade and shelter, and they are the homes of an untold number of living things. Across the world, millions of people depend on trees for their livelihood. And we can't forget that trees clean the air and help us breathe. Among trees, oak trees are particularly vital and important becau...

11/01/2023

Go on a fall scavenger hunt around Four Rivers to look for all the signs of autumn in the forest in this activity being held throughout November. Pick up a scavenger hunt form at the education center then hit the trails to start your search. No registration required.

11/1/2023-11/30/2023: Enjoy the bounty of fall by searching for natural objects on the Autumn Adventure Scavenger Hunt.

11/01/2023

There's plenty you can do with your pumpkins after Halloween, but one thing you can't do is pitch them in the preserves.

Pumpkins are popping up everywhere these days, but once Halloween is over, don't just pitch your pumpkins. You can put them to good use instead.

10/28/2023

Halloween is upon us, and some species seem built for the season. Learn more about these creatures that live on the dark side of nature in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

We sure do love our cute and cuddly animals, but nature has a dark side too. Since it’s spooky season, it’s the perfect time to celebrate this dark side. Some species look like Halloween decorations or props, and some engage in behaviors that seem too scary or freaky to be anything but the stuff...

10/28/2023

See a hawk circling overhead? There are a few common suspects. Learn to tell the difference between two of them.

Can't tell the difference between a Cooper's hawk and a sharp-shinned hawk? You're not alone. These two birds are strikingly similar in appearance, but there's a few things to look for to tell them apart.

10/27/2023

Check out Four Rivers Environmental Education Center on your own terms at our sensory-friendly Sensory Sunday program from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 5. The center will be closed to the public so people with sensory needs can explore on their own terms. Registration is required.

11/5/2023: This independent program offers guests a chance to experience Four Rivers Environmental Education Center’s exhibits and trails on their own terms. 

10/26/2023

🚨 New merch alert 🚨 If you love bald eagles — or if you're bald and proud — our newest shirt featuring our national bird is for you! Oh, and did we mention that through Oct. 31, you can get 15% off all our merch by using promo code FALL15 at checkout. Order here >>> https://bit.ly/3Ij2IfR.

Our line of shirts make great holiday gifts, so get a jump on crossing some things off your shopping list.

10/25/2023

It's beginning to feel a lot like Halloween, and you can get into the holiday spirit with these spooky dry ice activities from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Dry ice activities are a fun way to demonstrate scientific principles during this spooky season! People use the substance during Halloween to create creepy fog in cauldrons and other decorations, which means you may be able to pick up some at the grocery store. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide, or CO...

10/25/2023

We're staying open late on Thursday, Nov. 2, to give people a chance to check out the "Golden Opportunity: Botanical Illustration" exhibit on loan from the Denver Botanic Gardens. The doors will stay open until 6 p.m. so people can explore how yellow is weaved into the natural world. No registration required.

11/2/2023: Four Rivers is extending its hours to give the public a chance to view the “Golden Opportunity: Botanical Illustration” traveling exhibit from Denver Botanical Gardens,

10/24/2023

Immerse yourself in yellow and learn how this golden hue colors our natural world in our "Golden Opportunity: Botanical Illustration" exhibit on display through Dec. 31. You can dig deeper into this color exploration with our complementary programming scheduled throughout the exhibition. See what's on tap >>> https://bit.ly/48YSygp
(Photos by Anthony Schalk)

10/22/2023

If a hike just isn't a hike unless there's dirt under your feet, make sure to check out our preserves with natural surface trails.

What makes a hike more than a walk? A natural surface trail certainly helps.

10/20/2023

Although coyotes are common across Illinois, wolves are only rarely spotted in our state. The two species can sometimes be confused, though, because they look similar to one another. Learn how to tell the difference in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

We mostly think of canines as our pet dogs that become part of our families, but both coyotes and wolves are wild canines that live in the United States. They look similar enough that they are sometimes confused. Historically, gray wolves lived across almost the entire northern hemisphere. Today, mo...

10/18/2023

Meet one of the familiar faces who will greet you when you visit or attend a program at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.

Meet Angela Rafac, an interpretive naturalist at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.

10/17/2023

American kestrels are small by falcon standards, but they still pack a punch. They are only about the size of a robin, but they are fierce hunters. Learn more about them in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

American kestrels are stunning, speedy, colorful, dive-bombing predators in tiny packages. Scan utility pole wires along fields and you just might get to see these master hunters right here in Will County. Clocking in at 3 ounces to 6 ounces, they are the smallest falcons that can be found year-roun...

10/15/2023

Our latest exhibition is all about the color yellow. "Golden Opportunity: Botanical Illustrations" will be on exhibit at Four Rivers through Sunday, Dec. 31. Make sure to plan a visit to learn all about the science of the color yellow and how it is reflected in nature all around us.

10/15/2023

Bats fit right in during the Halloween season, and the tri-colored bat might just be the Halloweeniest bat of all. Learn more about these bats in this story from Willy's Wilderness, our nature website for kids.

Close your eyes and picture a bat. What color did you imagine? How big or small? Did you picture a furry, black body with black wings? If you touch your thumbs together and spread your fingers wide, does that match the size in your mind? That describes the bat decorations that pop up around Hallowee...

10/14/2023

The countdown to 2024 is on, and we've got the perfect calendar for you! Whether you love birds, flowers or general outdoor scenery, this 11-inch-by-8.5-inch, full-color calendar is a must for any nature enthusiast and makes a great gift for family and friends. Orders must be placed by Sunday, Nov. 5. All proceeds go to The Nature Foundation of Will County, which generously funds many initiatives throughout the forest preserves.

Enjoy beautiful nature photography throughout 2024 with a calendar featuring photos taken in Will County's forest preserves. 

10/13/2023

Most spiders have eight eyes, but they aren't necessarily the better to see you with. Despite all those eyes, most don't have good vision.

Most spiders have eight eyes, but not all spiders have good vision.

10/13/2023

Celebrate the colors of the season while also learning about the science of the color yellow with a hike along the trails at Four Rivers followed by crafting time indoors in this program from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Registration is required. This program is being held in conjunction with the "Golden Opportunity: Botanical Illustration" exhibit on display at Four Rivers through Dec. 31.

10/21/2023: Celebrate all things golden at Four Rivers on this Sweetest Day with a fall hike followed by time for a craft.

10/12/2023

Soak up the fall color from the trails of Hammel Woods on this hike while learning about the science behind autumn's color show in this program from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Registration is required.

10/14/2023: Join us at Hammel Woods to hike through the beautiful autumn leaves and learn about the chemistry behind the changing colors.