Chicago Wildlife News: College boasts a different kind of wildlife -- including coyotes, deer and hawks

College boasts a different kind of wildlife -- including coyotes, deer and hawks

(POSTED: 4/26/10) At many colleges, "wildlife" means frat parties, JELL-O shots and beer pong.

But at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, it also means coyotes, deer, hawks, geese, foxes and numerous other critters.

Although the 147-acre campus is teeming with students, it's surrounded on four sides by woods, and is near the Des Plaines River.

So by suburban standards, there's a good amount of nature around, and animal sightings by students and staff are fairly common.

Sophomore Samantha Chavez, who's part of the school's Ecology Club, said she saw a limping coyote a few months back, adding, "I think he was probably hit by a car or something."

She's also seen a skunk, and noted there are "wood ducks in the spring over in the back of Parking Lot C."

She's heard there's a kind of salamander around as well, although she's never seen one.

Joe Franco, another sophomore, recalls a deer halting traffic one night earlier this year on the main campus road.

"Some lady got out of her car and called Public Safety to get the deer off the road," said Franco. "We had to wait about 10 minutes for Public Safety to come. But by the time they came the deer started walking off into the woods."

Ken Schafer, head groundskeeper at Oakton and faculty adviser to the Ecology Club, knows all too well about the local deer population.

The animals munched on shrubs so much that he had to re-plant a different variety that deer didn't find as tasty.

In another instance, "a deer got stuck in a gangway in the courtyard so we had to coax him out," Schafer said. (The top photo shows deer near campus last month. The other photo is of the Des Plaines school.)

Aside from the routine opossums, raccoons and geese, he's seen a fox, and knows of a nesting pair of red-tailed hawks by a parking lot.

There also are chipmunks, and bass in a pond on the campus, according to interviews.

As Schafer said, "There's all kind of wildlife around here."

By Anthony Diggs, for ChicagoWildlifeNews.com
Contact: [email protected]

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Quick Hits -- Updated Regularly

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(AUG. 13) Wildlife expert suggests culling to control Will County deer population.

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(AUG. 9) Lake County bird survey "helps set path to restore, maintain open space."

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(JULY 29) Oil spill impacting Midwest.

(JULY 29) Bald eagle at Brookfield Zoo dies.

(JULY 26) Illinois man charged with running down seven deer with ATV.

(JULY 26) Bensenville creek suffers fish kill.

(JULY 23) Brookfield Zoo takes in pelicans displaced by oil spill.

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(JULY 20) "Green" subdivision being touted in New Lenox.

(JULY 20) Five states sue Chicago to step up battle against Asian carp.

(JULY 19) "In form and function, the Asian carp is one ugly fish."

(JULY 19) New bird sanctuary opening in far northwest suburbs.

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(JULY 15) Indiana plans new barrier to keep Asian carp out of Great Lakes.

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(JULY 14) Asian carp to be harvested from Illinois River, sent to China as food.

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(JULY 12) Chicago nature museum helping rare butterflies take flight.

(JULY 12) Fish kill at second pond confounds locals.

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(JUNE 17) Chicago Zoological Society staff helping monitor Florida dolphins for contamination from oil spill.

(JUNE 16) Arlington Heights police euthanize injured deer on roadside.

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(MAY 26) Oil spills in Elgin, but creek and river apparently not contaminated.

(MAY 26) Swans hatch at Schaumburg municipal pond, with possibly more on the way.

(MAY 26) Baby peregrine falcons hatch outside Evanston Public Library, home to seven generations of the birds.

(MAY 26) Ducklings rescued from storm sewer in West Dundee.

(MAY 25) Twin Lakes, Wisc., expands the burning of yard waste.

(MAY 25) No Asian carp turn up in latest fish kill, on Little Calumet River.

(MAY 25) New Lenox government approves wind and solar energy systems.

(MAY 24) Sugar Grove sour about resident's attempt to keep bees, make honey.

(MAY 24) Illinois attorney general's office gets involved in river dumping case.

(MAY 24) "Eastern tent caterpillars are the sort of guests most homeowners would like to uninvite."

(MAY 24) Some invasive plant species "are actually pretty, like purple loosestrife. But beauty is deceptive."

(MAY 24) Rare bird -- piping plover -- spotted on lakefront in Waukegan.

(MAY 24) Former steelworkers find new career -- in "ecological restoration."

(MAY 21) Emerald ash borer rearing its head in Will County.

(MAY 21) South Elgin company at heart of river dumping investigation did not have necessary permits.

(MAY 21) Kane County government approves wind turbines for powering homes and businesses.

(MAY 21) DuPage River cleanup planned for this weekend.

(MAY 21) Little Calumet the "latest battleground" in fight against invasive carp.

(MAY 21) Part of Little Calumet closed for fish kill aimed at Asian carp.

(MAY 19) Rabid bat found in Grayslake church.

(MAY 19) Wheaton passes wildlife feeding ban -- aimed at coyotes -- only to meet resistance from those caring for feral cats.

(MAY 19) Tests being conducted to determine what type of chemicals were dumped in waterway, killing fish.

(MAY 18) Clean-up underway after chemicals dumped into waterway.

(MAY 18) Some wonder whether Kane County forest preserve has been "ruined" by so-called improvements.

(MAY 18) Investigation continues into who dumped chemicals into creek that feeds Fox River.

(MAY 17) Chemicals dumped into Fox River, killing fish and wildlife. Two are being questioned.

(MAY 17) Bird tests positive for West Nile virus, first case in Illinois this year.

(MAY 14) Outdoor lighting has another benefit: keeping away the coyotes.

(MAY 14) Bat discovered in Beach Park has rabies.

(MAY 14) Idea of allowing bow hunting to cull deer in Will County forest preserves still alive.

(MAY 14) Border collie mix fends off three coyotes in Tinley Park.

(MAY 13) Coyotes should be "appreciated, not killed."

(MAY 13) Feeding wildlife in western suburb soon may draw a fine.

(MAY 13) "Crawfish crackdown" only partially successful at Kenosha pond.

(MAY 13) Gypsy moths targeted in northern Illinois.

(MAY 12) Mountain lion spotted in Indiana.

(MAY 12) Profile on the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in western suburbs.

(MAY 12) Will County rejects bow hunting plan for deer in forest preserves.

(MAY 12) "Scientists just now are beginning to understand the appearance of all manner of wildlife in suburban and city backyards over the past two decades, from skunks, raccoons and opossums to deer, fox and coyote."

(MAY 12) Researcher at NIU thinks denser "corn, soybean fields across Midwest could be behind late-summer cooling effect."

(MAY 11) Naperville to spray parks, subdivisions for gypsy moths.

(MAY 11) Baby geese halt traffic in far western suburbs.

(MAY 11) Woodstock event to center on conservationist Rachel Carson.

(MAY 11) Rare duck decoy gets sold at auction -- to former governor, Thompson.

(MAY 11) Road project threatens fish and vegetation in "one of Lake County's most pristine lakes."

(MAY 11) Lake County Forest Preserve District warns about "increased coyote activity."

(MAY 10) Bird enthusiasts flock to Indiana dunes.

(MAY 10) Buying land for proposed wildlife refuge in southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois could take decades.

(MAY 10) Wild horses being moved from southern Illinois ranch.

(MAY 10) It's that time of year again for ticks.

(MAY 8) "Smoother trails" in works for Kane County forest preserves.

(MAY 7) Baby alpaca being rehabbed at Grayslake facility.

(MAY 7) Lake County Forest Preserve District moves forward with massive land purchase involving more than 900 acres.

(MAY 7) Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum holding monarch butterfly exhibit in conjunction with Mexican consulate.

(MAY 6) More poisoning planned for Asian carp, in the Cal-Sag Channel.

(MAY 5) Sleepy Hollow considers limited bow hunting to cull deer in the northwest suburb.

(MAY 5) Major land purchases being considered by Lake County Forest Preserve District.

(MAY 5) Editorial board opines on Lake Michigan wind turbines: "All in all, we'll take the windmills among sailboats."

(MAY 5) Boats might be restricted on North Shore Channel while Asian carp are sought.

(MAY 5) Wheaton municipal officials consider ban on feeding wildlife.

(MAY 4) Nets might be used to snare Asian carp in North Shore Channel.

(MAY 4) Class "of volunteers were deputized as watershed watchdogs" and are being trained to "protect the river."

(MAY 3) The shagbark hickory tree "is deserving of superlatives, if not deity and presidency."

(MAY 3) "Corpse flower" blooms at Western Illinois University.

(MAY 3) Two thousand trees coming down in Matteson to combat emerald ash borer.

(MAY 3) Discovery of white nose syndrome "in the Midwest raises the likelihood that the bat disease has reached Illinois, or could soon."

(MAY 3) Glenview planning a "re-naturalization" of part of the Chicago River's North Branch, west fork.

(APRIL 30) Muskrat trap stolen from Naperville retention pond.

(APRIL 30) Proposed wildlife refuge could cover 30,000 acres -- and include private and public land.

(APRIL 29) Proposed wildlife refuge in northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin would be first in Midwest since 2004, when one was created in Minnesota.

(APRIL 29) Traps set in Kenosha area for emerald ash borer.

(APRIL 28) Wind turbines fiercely debated in Lake County.

(APRIL 28) Decades after Dutch elm disease hit Waukegan, the far north suburb gets "disease-resistant" tree.

(APRIL 28) Prairie parcel bought by the Land Conservancy of McHenry County to be dedicated next month.

(APRIL 28) Chicago nature museum gets new president, CEO.

(APRIL 27) U.S. Army Corps plans another barrier to keep out Asian carp.

(APRIL 27) Mysterious fungus killing bats in Illinois.

(APRIL 26) Emerald ash borer found again in Naperville.

(APRIL 26) U.S. Supreme Court to stay out of Asian carp debate.

(APRIL 26) Massive wildlife study getting underway in suburbs.

(APRIL 26) Oak restoration underway at Elgin forest preserve.

(APRIL 24) New York senator wants study to determine "how big a bite Asian carp would take from the regional economy if they invade the Great Lakes."

(APRIL 24) Kane County steps up effort to save endangered Blanding's turtle.

(APRIL 23) Uproar in suburban subdivision over the slashing of "cherished" trees at direction of highway commissioner.

(APRIL 23) Workers try to rid Kenosha pond of invasive red swamp crawfish.

(APRIL 23) Conservation group in McHenry County considers the planting of oak trees and other improvements "worthwhile long-term investments."

(APRIL 22) White arctic fox that was found years ago wandering Grayslake -- and that's been kept by Lake County animal control ever since -- dies.

(APRIL 22) Profile on suburban environmental group E3, whose "watchdog" work prompted an attorney general investigation.

(APRIL 22) Earth Day has come a long way since it was launched 40 years ago.

(APRIL 22) Another deer management session scheduled by Will County Forest Preserve District.

(APRIL 22) "Yes, the overpopulated local deer herds have just as much right to the land as we do, but there has to be a better way to live in peace and harmony together."

(APRIL 21) Emerald ash borer confirmed in Wheaton.

(APRIL 21) Rabid bat found in Joliet; it's first confirmed case of wildlife rabies in Will County this year.

(APRIL 21) Residential wind turbines a step closer to approval in Kane County.

(APRIL 21) Lombard native an "advocate for conservation" whose roots in environmentalism can be traced to first "Earth Day."

(APRIL 21) Profile on "the guardian of a 'conservation Mecca' in Markham."

(APRIL 20) Documentary focusing on "Indiana's Everglades."

(APRIL 20) As "all birders know, April is just an appetizer. The main course is May."

(APRIL 19) Restoring fish and habitat to Braidwood lakes.

(APRIL 19) More homeowners are considering wind turbines to generate power.

(APRIL 19) "Most people run away from skunks. Stan Gehrt ran toward them."

(APRIL 19) Federal government files lawsuit to force woman to leave home in Indiana dunes.

(APRIL 19) Fox Waterway Agency "wants to rebuild the island in Pistakee Lake from a 7-acre sliver of dead trees and trash into a 50-acre nature preserve."

(APRIL 19) Lake near Chicago Heights so muddy, fish can't survive.

(APRIL 16) Hunters show up at event where proposed Will County deer cull was discussed.

(APRIL 15) School districts looking to build wind farm to save on energy costs.

(APRIL 15) Oak Park may allow residents to keep bees in backyard.

(APRIL 15) Bald eagles nesting in western suburbs.

(APRIL 14) Controlled burn planned for 200 acres of prairie dunesland.

(APRIL 14) Plans in the works for Fox River preserve, including new trails.

(APRIL 14) New forest preserve in Lake County named after kestrel.

(APRIL 14) Exhibit at Morton Arboretum "inspired by tree roots."

(APRIL 14) More on plans to put wind turbines in the middle of Lake Michigan.

(APRIL 14) Native plants "are quickly becoming garden chic and the center of an ongoing conservation campaign."

(APRIL 14) Foreclosure crisis in Chicago "has created a four-legged problem: raccoons as big as orangutangs and bolder than ever."

(APRIL 13) McHenry County board backs plan for wildlife refuge.

(APRIL 13) Hundreds sign petition to keep locks open in spite of Asian carp threat.

(APRIL 13) Controlled burns planned for several spots in southern Wisconsin.

(APRIL 13) Emerald ash borer spotted in far west suburb.

(APRIL 13) Lawmakers, business leaders push to keep open waterways despite Asian carp threat.

(APRIL 13) Cook County Forest Preserve District opening two new nature learning centers.

(APRIL 13) Major overhaul planned at the Chicago Botanic Garden. (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(APRIL 12) Fox Valley Wildlife Center holds "wild baby shower" in advance of expected arrival of numerous critters.

(APRIL 12) National Wildlife Federation calls for "separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds in an effort to stop the spread of invasive species like the Asian carp."

(APRIL 12) "Trinski Island on Pistakee Lake used to be a 65-acre oasis with blooming trees and abundant wildlife."

(APRIL 12) "Today beavers can be spotted throughout the suburbs. Bulky yet sleek in water, powerful and agile on land, they are masters of waterways and wetlands."

(APRIL 10) Feds to study plans for massive wildlife refuge along Illinois-Wisconsin border.

(APRIL 10) Mooseheart plans to develop roughly half of its 1,000 acres in Kane County.

(APRIL 10) Evanston explores building wind turbines off shore in Lake Michigan.

(APRIL 9) Kenosha's dunes in danger -- from unauthorized motorized vehicles.

(APRIL 9) On garlic mustard: "It's everywhere now. It wipes out our native wildflowers and plants, and each individual plant has thousands of seeds."

(APRIL 9) Landfill in Buffalo Grove area to phase out composting.

(APRIL 8) Threatening letters have wildlife ties.

(APRIL 8) Robins "rule the roost," according to Great Backyard Bird Count.

(APRIL 8) Orland Park woman a "wolf watcher," prairie volunteer.

(APRIL 8) Another look at the potential economic fallout from closing Chicago-area waterways to keep Asian carp out of Great Lakes.

(APRIL 8) Alderman's idea for Asian carp: catch them, feed them to poor.

(APRIL 7) Illinois Chamber of Commerce puts closure of two shipping locks -- to keep out Asian carp -- at $4.7 billion over 20 years.

(APRIL 7) Woodstock council makes move toward preserving prairie land in far northwest suburb.

(APRIL 7) Next step at Lake County forest preserves: plant 3,700 trees and native shrubs.

(APRIL 7) Some wild finds in the McKinley Park lagoon over the years -- but now there's a warning about eating the fish.

(APRIL 7) Plan to create "sprawling wildlife refuge" straddling Illinois-Wisconsin border receives "boost" from McHenry County Board.

(APRIL 6) Swarm of flies at heart of lawsuit.

(APRIL 6) On the benefits of controlled burns, one of which recently was held at Chain O' Lakes.

(APRIL 6) Coyote captured on Northwest Side to be "transferred to a wildlife rehabilitation program."

(APRIL 5) Coyote spotted at Luther North, captured on Northwest Side.

(APRIL 5) Is there really another puma in the Chicago region? Probably not, but expert says we can "never say never."

(APRIL 2) Loyola donates scanner for Brookfield Zoo's animals.

(APRIL 1) New plan to keep out Asian carp involves reducing oxygen "in stretch of water."

(APRIL 1) McHenry County Health Department warns about ticks, which are most active in April, May and June in Illinois.

(APRIL 1) Brush fire rages across prairie land, yards in Lake in the Hills area.

(MARCH 31) Controlled burn planned for McHenry.

(MARCH 31) American white pelicans "are back in Batavia, but not for much longer, so get out and see them while you can."

(MARCH 31) Swans arrive in Schaumburg pond to help control population of geese.

(MARCH 31) "Will this be the breakout season for a tree killing beetle in northeastern Illinois?"

(MARCH 31) "Don't be shocked if you see white deer as you hike through the thousands of acres of forest preserves in the Chicago Southland."

(MARCH 31) Thousands of fish die off at Long Grove pond.

(MARCH 31) Compromise reached on Chicago Botanic Garden fence designed to keep out deer.

(MARCH 31) More on Wheaton's decision to halt coyote culling program.

(MARCH 30) Wheaton formally halts coyote culling program.

(MARCH 30) Coyote spotted within "stone's throw" of United Center.

(MARCH 30) Environmental Defenders of McHenry County turns 40 years old.

(MARCH 30) Attorney general accuses sanitary district of polluting Kane County creek.

(MARCH 30) Public meetings scheduled on proposal to allow deer hunting in Will County forest preserves.

(MARCH 29) No Asian carp found in local waterways after six-week search. (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(MARCH 29) Libertyville wind turbine controversy heads back to court in April.

(MARCH 29) "The American white pelicans are back! One of the species that helped hook me on birding years ago, these guys are huge, and unmistakable."

(MARCH 29) Will County may allow hunting in forest preserves to reduce deer population.

(MARCH 26) "Pelicans with nine-foot wingspans in a Kane County pond aren't exactly an everyday occurrence."

(MARCH 25) Kenosha tries to eradicate invasive type of crawfish.

(MARCH 25) "Six states have sued Illinois to make us stop the Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes. Is there a chance in hell we can?"

(MARCH 24) Controlled burn at northwest Indiana parkland aims to help native plants flourish.

(MARCH 24) Chicago Botanic Garden readying to install controversial deer fence.

(MARCH 24) "Density" and Illinois' deer harvest.

(MARCH 23) Purchase of 208 acres "signals the culmination of nearly a decade of preserving open space."

(MARCH 23) Michigan isn't giving up on Asian carp fight, following loss in court.

(MARCH 23) Cougar conference being held here. It's only a matter of time, experts say, before another puma turns up in Chicago region.

(MARCH 23) Chicago-area congresswoman says: "Our goal should be to kill the Asian carp -– not jobs."

(MARCH 22) U.S. Supreme Court turns down Michigan's request to close Chicago-area waterways to keep out dreaded Asian carp.

(MARCH 22) Wilmington hawk dies, from poisoning.

(MARCH 22) Farmers are buying more and more land during recession as banks reel. (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(MARCH 22) Wisconsin beekeeper "led a drive for a new state law establishing standards for honey sold."

(MARCH 22) Woodpeckers are nature's "noisy little harbingers of spring."

(MARCH 22) Many of the same tools "scientists used to save the lakes' from the sea lamprey will be part of their defense against the Asian carp."

(MARCH 20) More on purported wolf found in Illinois.

(MARCH 20) Hundreds of fish found dead at Homewood lake.

(MARCH 20) "If Naperville decided to hire trappers to come around the woods by my house" looking for coyotes, "I might just have to set up some traps of my own -- to catch the trappers."

(MARCH 19) Court expected to take up Asian carp issue again today.

(MARCH 19) Deer gets stuck in fence in Joliet, put down by police officer with shotgun. (Note: after visiting link, scroll down to see story.)

(MARCH 19) Deer rams into squad car in Wisconsin, apparently causing rollover. (Note: after visiting link, scroll down to see story.)

(MARCH 18) Timber wolf captured on camera in Illinois -- perhaps a first.

(MARCH 18) In Kane County, new rules emerging for wind turbines.

(MARCH 18) In Lake County, new program "to recover, breed and repopulate the smooth green snake."

(MARCH 18) Campton Township drops $7 million on preserving land.

(MARCH 18) Glenbard West students light up -- in controlled burn of prairie land.

(MARCH 17) Board approves land purchase to expand Pine Dunes Forest Preserve in Newport Township.

(MARCH 17) Green snakes to be reintroduced into Lake County woods, in conjunction with Lincoln Park Zoo.

(MARCH 17) Controlled burns planned over next month in McHenry County.

(MARCH 17) Coyote spotted in Grant Park, in Loop.

(MARCH 17) Not a lot of data backing up Botanic Garden's plans for fence to keep out deer.

(MARCH 17) Conservation group hosting "green voice" meeting that will deal in part with open space, water quality.

(MARCH 16) Wheaton taking a wait-and-see approach now to coyotes.

(MARCH 16) Was deer-plane incident a freak accident, or a harbinger?

(MARCH 16) No more coyotes have been trapped in Wheaton, and some "residents are hoping it stays that way."

(MARCH 15) One of top DNR officials in Illinois to speak at Liberty Prairie Conservancy gathering.

(MARCH 15) Apparent wolf shot and killed Downstate. At least four have been killed in Illinois in 21st century.

(MARCH 15) Will County tries to figure out what to do about massive deer population.

(MARCH 13) Trees coming down in Batavia because of emerald ash borer.

(MARCH 13) Wind turbines stirring up trouble in DeKalb County.

(MARCH 12) Deer carcasses found in Joliet. (Note: after visiting link scroll down to view item.)

(MARCH 12) Profile on Tinley Park man who has been training hawks since age 14.

(MARCH 11) Wheaton municipal government suspends the killing of coyotes.

(MARCH 11) "In the midst of our befuddlement, how do we play out our role in ecology and culture?"

(MARCH 10) Dredging planned in Wonder Lake, in far northwest suburbs.

(MARCH 10) "Kane County will have up to 1,500 acres of new wooded areas if the Kane County Forest Preserve District continues to plant trees to restore what once was a more heavily forested part of the state."

(MARCH 10) Not everyone happy with proposed deer wall at Chicago Botanic Garden.

(MARCH 10) Trapper nabs, kills four coyotes near Wheaton.

(MARCH 9) Deer "a part of life" at small Lake County airport.

(MARCH 9) Wheaton municipal government hires coyote trapper from DeKalb.

(MARCH 8) Bones found at Barrington-area forest preserve.

(MARCH 8) Northwest Indiana river "has the most problems of any river in the United States," according to EPA.

(MARCH 8) Plane hits deer, makes emergency landing at Chicago Executive Airport.

(MARCH 7) Reader pleads: "Please reconsider the killing of these coyotes. They are fellow travelers of ours on the path of life."

(MARCH 6) "Invasive plants gone, wildlife returns to Cranberry Lake" following restoration effort in Lake County.

(MARCH 6) Controlled burn held at state park in far northwest suburbs.

(MARCH 5) Recession means Kendall County Forest Preserve Commission able to buy big tract.

(MARCH 5) Helping the herons of Lake County.

(MARCH 4) Police looking for whoever ran down, killed eight deer by Downstate lake.

(MARCH 4) Forest preserve near Hoffman Estates renamed after late commissioner.

(MARCH 3) Feds considering making part of McHenry County, southern Wisconsin a national wildlife refuge.

(MARCH 3) Johnsburg junior high students get grant to develop own prairie space.

(MARCH 3) A "dozen things about redbirds that perhaps you didn't know."

(MARCH 3) Tour boat operators "are bracing for a possibility that once was unthinkable — closure of the Chicago River," because of Asian carp fight.

(MARCH 2) "Major" restoration of Grainger Woods in Lake County is planned, meaning rare plants and a "unique ecological environment will be protected."

(FEB. 27) Forest preserve near Elgin could be renamed for late commissioner.

(FEB. 27) Wheaton leaders consider hiring trapper for coyotes.

(FEB. 26) "Both camps acknowledge the coyote was here first; they simply differ on the matter of how to deal with it."

(FEB. 26) "Will County has too many deer," with 153 per square mile in one forest preserve, when 20 is the "accepted maximum."

(FEB. 26) Wheaton leaders to meet again March 1 and address coyote issues.

(FEB. 25) Will County forest restoration leaves some neighbors with concerns, questions.

(FEB. 25) Emerald ash borer found in Bloomingdale trees.

(FEB. 25) Chicago Botanic Garden plans eight-foot-tall fence to keep out deer.

(FEB. 25) Deer rescued from Wisconsin pond.

(FEB. 24) Will County forest preserves looking for ways to "control" deer population.

(FEB. 24) Oak Forest "ponders strategy" to rid town of emerald ash borer.

(FEB. 24) Illinois tries to block Michigan's legal moves in Asian carp case.

(FEB. 22) Obama offers plan to help Great Lakes, described as "a sprawling ecosystem plagued by toxic contamination, shrinking wildlife habitat and invasive species."

(FEB. 22) Web site created to help people avoid conflicts with coyotes.

(FEB. 22) Profile on Flint Creek and one of its wildlife rehabilitators.

(FEB. 22) Steel industry jobs could be impacted if channels are closed because of Asian carp.

(FEB. 19) Business professor casts doubt on economic damage estimates of closing locks to keep out Asian carp. (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(FEB. 19) A sure sign of spring: the smell of skunks in the Chicago area.

(FEB. 19) Rather than ripping into Wheaton for its handling of the coyote issue, "it should be commended for airing this out in public, despite the backlash."

(FEB. 18) Indiana attorney general to file brief in lawsuit brought over Asian carp in Great Lakes.

(FEB. 18) Gun laws might need to be changed in Wheaton to allow coyote abatement.

(FEB. 18) Hawk burned in Sugar Grove plane crash is euthanized. (Note: after visiting link, scroll down to see item.)

(FEB. 18) "Search-and-destroy" mission to root out Asian carp in Chicago-area waterways.

(FEB. 18) Coyotes still spurring debate in western suburbs.

(FEB. 17) Search goes on for Asian carp in Chicago area.

(FEB. 17) DuPage County Forest Preserve District OKs fish barrier to keep out Asian carp.

(FEB. 17) Debate over plan to trap and kill coyotes in western suburb.

(FEB. 17) Eight-foot fence proposed for Chicago Botanic Garden, to keep hungry deer out.

(FEB. 17) Is chronic wasting disease on the decline in Illinois deer?

(FEB. 17) Does solution to Wheaton coyote problem involve "bear spray?"

(FEB. 16) Bird count draws several dozen participants in northwest Indiana.

(FEB. 15) South suburbs get visited by wind turbine pitchman.

(FEB. 15) Great Backyard Bird Count underway.

(FEB. 15) Suburbs debate how to respond to coyote incursions.

(FEB. 15) The new front line in Illinois in the battle against Asian carp.

(FEB. 13) Glen Ellyn deluged with coyotes, reaching out trapper.

(FEB. 13) Environmentalists rap feds' Asian carp plan, saying it has "serious flaws."

(FEB. 12) What to do with those fur coats? Give them back to nature.

(FEB. 11) Libertyville extends its moratorium on wind turbines.

(FEB. 11) Proposal to excavate gravel in Kane County forest preserve drawing consideration, controversy.

(FEB. 11) "If the carp get into Lake Michigan, I believe it will end the salmon fishery and the whitefish population out there."

(FEB. 11) Feds' Asian carp strategy excludes "most promising weapon available."

(FEB. 10) Another "targeted removal" of Asian carp planned for Chicago-area waterways.

(FEB. 9) Wheaton municipal government plans to start trapping, euthanizing coyotes.

(FEB. 9) Feds might have locks closed more often to keep out Asian carp.

(FEB. 9) Federal government ramps up fight against ravenous Asian carp, trying to prevent the fish from taking over the Great Lakes.

(FEB. 9) Indian chief's descendants want back land -- now part of Cook County forest preserves.

(FEB. 8) "So how does eating a meal become newsworthy? When the diner is a coyote and the dinner is a small dog."

(FEB. 8) Midwest governors meeting at White House over keeping Asian carp out of Great Lakes.

(FEB. 8) Emerald ash borer proves a costly pest for communities.

(FEB. 7) South suburban grasslands restoration project moving along.

(FEB. 6) By the way, don't feed the coyotes -- at least not in Orland Park.

(FEB. 6) Avoiding conflicts with coyotes, who are on the rise in the south suburbs.

(FEB. 5) Lake County adds seven-acre parcel to forest preserves.

(FEB. 5) Oswego residents want help for injured deer.

(FEB. 4) Environmental activists push for more federal funding for Great Lakes.

(FEB. 2) Heron nesting platforms erected near Grayslake.

(FEB. 2) Swan with bullet wound recovering at wildlife center.

(FEB. 2) Groundhog indicates it'll be an early spring.

(FEB. 2) Wolves, coyotes once were big "problems" in Chicago area.

(FEB. 1) "Great Backyard Bird Count" being held later this month.

(FEB. 1) "The odds of seeing a wild bald eagle here in DuPage County have never been better."

(JAN. 31) Thief steals macaw from Naperville pet shop.

(JAN. 31) Lockport wildlife center includes cougar, coyote, skunk, fox and black bear.

(JAN. 30) Coyote attacks another dog, this time in Palos area.

(JAN. 29) "Removing the biggest fish will manage the population somewhat. I wonder. Do Asian carp eat zebra mussels?"

(JAN. 29) Evanston targets feral cats -- 100-strong colony.

(JAN. 29) DuPage County forest preserve board candidates "spar" over land use issues.

(JAN. 29) Coyotes spotted in Hobart, Ind.

(JAN. 28) Hawk burned in plane crash expected to recover.

(JAN. 28) Deadly fish virus found in Great Lakes.

(JAN. 28) Congress seeking more money to fight Asian carp invasion.

(JAN. 28) Dog who keeps geese off Northbrook golf course set to retire in spring.

(JAN. 28) Dog mauled by coyote in Wheaton had been attacked before.

(JAN. 27) Dog euthanized after coyote attack in western suburbs.

(JAN. 27) "Several sightings of coyotes in Hinsdale have residents there on alert."

(JAN. 27) Chicago's Animal Care & Control requiring background checks of its volunteers, which has some of them howling.

(JAN. 27) Durbin, Biggert calling summit to address Asian carp invasion.

(JAN. 26) Hawk burned in plane crash getting rehabbed at suburban wildlife center. (Note: after visiting link, scroll down for story.)

(JAN. 26) Two new executives join Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to plan exhibits and raise money.

(JAN. 25) Red fox not the only fox variety around.

(JAN. 25) "Assault" begins at Palatine-area forest preserve, where invasive species are being targeted.

(JAN. 25) Dreaded emerald ash borer has "invaded" Matteson.

(JAN. 25) Deer smashes into home Downstate, stunning occupants.

(JAN. 25) "Chicagoans are still getting their coyote-legs."

(JAN. 24) Sport fishermen worry about impact of Asian carp.

(JAN. 22) Hunters bag almost 200,000 deer in Illinois in latest season.

(JAN. 21) Rivers in the region to be tested for dreaded Asian carp.

(JAN. 21) "Summit" on Asian carp threat being planned.

(JAN. 21) Major "assault" planned at Deer Grove forest preserve "on invasive plants and trees including European buckthorn, box elder, honeysuckle, green ash, bass and maples."

(JAN. 20) Land Conservancy inviting public to help clear far northwest suburban prairie of invasive species.

(JAN. 20) Lake County Forest Preserve District planning to spend millions more on land purchases.

(JAN. 20) Asian carp DNA found in Lake Michigan, officials reveal.

(JAN. 19) U.S. Supreme Court declines to take up Asian carp case.

(JAN. 19) Crows flock to Indiana town year after year, and nobody knows why.

(JAN. 19) Chicago lawyer, who worked on eagle recovery programs along the Mississippi River, dies.

(JAN. 18) Mount Prospect residents complaint about feral cats.

(JAN. 15) ComEd pledges to do better while cutting trees, brush.

(JAN. 15) "Once they became established in cities, it turned out cities weren't all that bad as far as coyote life is concerned, so they've been thriving."

(JAN. 14) Local group advocates use of native plants in landscaping.

(JAN. 14) Closing off local waterways to protect Lake Michigan from Asian carp could have dramatic impact on businesses, way of life for some.

(JAN. 13) Mount Prospect tries to deal with feral cats.

(JAN. 13) Profile on Willowbrook vet, who treats all kinds of animals, including opossums with frostbite.

(JAN. 13) Sen. Durbin on Asian carp in Illinois: "We are not in denial about the threat of this invasive species."

(JAN. 13) Farmland disappearing in Lake County.

(JAN. 12) Asian carp DNA -- but no live fish belonging to the invasive species -- found in Chicago River. (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(JAN. 12) U.S. Supreme Court to listen to Asian carp case on Friday.

(JAN. 11) "Land of Oz" preserve opening in McHenry County.

(JAN. 11) On the growth -- and noise -- of our Canada geese population.

(JAN. 8) Lake County officials take step closer to creating new forest preserve after committee votes on 59-acre parcel.

(JAN. 8) Muskie show in Palatine expected to draw 5,000 people.

(JAN. 8) Stricter smog rules proposed by EPA.

(JAN. 7) More on snake relocation project in Lake County.

(JAN. 7) Illinois attorney general said states suing over Asian carp shouldn't be able to force the closure of local waterways.

(JAN. 7) Snakes released into "hibernaculum" as part of Lake County relocation project.

(JAN. 7) "What to do about those monstrous Asian carp"?

(JAN. 6) Science questioned in Asian carp case.

(JAN. 6) Plane crashes in forest preserve, river in north suburbs.

(JAN. 5) Illinois to fight efforts to close "Chicago-area shipping to keep the voracious Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes." (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(JAN. 4) New York's attorney general joins growing effort to fight Asian carp in Chicago area, Great Lakes.

(JAN. 3) Asian carp not only threaten Great Lakes, but they "are now setting off strife on land as well."

(JAN. 3) Bison at Elgin zoo dies.

(JAN. 1) Indiana backs lawsuit aimed at keeping Asian carp out of Lake Michigan.

(DEC. 31) Ferruginous hawk hit by train in Canada, ends up in Chicago area, where it's found and rehabbed.

(DEC. 31) Hunters likely responsible for dead geese in Naperville.

(DEC. 30) Grisly discovery in Naperville: four Canada geese found "mutilated."

(DEC. 29) The number of deer killed in Illinois during firearm season is down.

(DEC. 28) Minnesota taking sides in court fight over Asian carp entering Lake Michigan through Chicago's waterways.

(DEC. 28) Beavers causing flooding problems in Merrillville.

(DEC. 26) Rare murrelet, which resembles penguin, spotted in northwest Indiana.

(DEC. 26) Willowbrook Wildlife Center looking for old Christmas trees to enhance habitats for critters.

(DEC. 25) Coyote busts in to Cook County Jail. (Note: after visiting link, scroll down in column to read item.)

(DEC. 24) More signs of gypsy moth turn up in Mount Prospect.

(DEC. 23) More swans being spotted on Chicago-area ponds.

(DEC. 21) Michigan suing "to force Illinois to close Chicago-area locks to try to stop the advancement of invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes."

(DEC. 21) A slew of fish at the Slough: "By last winter, the Slough was returning to its old glory as a top panfish spot near Chicago."

(DEC. 18) More than 2,000 coyotes estimated in Chicago region; there's a coyote explosion nationwide.

(DEC. 18) Driver in Downstate Illinois swerves to avoid deer, ends up dying in wreck.

(DEC. 16) Millions of dollars going to keep Asian carp out of Lake Michigan.

(DEC. 14) Cranes over Chicago.

(DEC. 13) New flap over backyard chickens.

(DEC. 12) Fish kill shows other invasive species in area.

(DEC. 11) So far chronic wasting disease not a big deal with wild game in McHenry County.

(DEC. 11) "Pricey options" for Oak Forest as it weighs how to eradicate ash borer bugs.

(DEC. 10) Oak Park resident tracks "rapid evolution."

(DEC. 9) No Asian carp found in channel south of Chicago, among 800 netted.

(DEC. 8) Golf courses enlisting plywood dogs to shoo away geese.

(DEC. 7) Fishermen using nets in Cal-Sag to try for dreaded Asian carp.

(DEC. 7) How plants, animals handle the "stress" of winter.

(DEC. 7) Wildlife officials worry about spread of bat disease.

(DEC. 7) Proposed road widening has some worried about fate of wildlife in area.

(DEC. 6) Chicago Park District restoring two swaths of lakefront land in projects that should attract more wildlife.

(DEC. 4) One Asian carp found in canal fish kill.

(DEC. 4) Bird count planned in Kane County.

(DEC. 4) Spate of coyote sightings in Illinois. One of the animals was shot by a cop Downstate.

(DEC. 3) After canal laced with poison, no Asian carp have yet to turn up belly up.

(DEC. 3) Geneva deals with feral cats.

(DEC. 3) Poison dumped in six-mile stretch of canal to kill off Asian carp.

(DEC. 2) Fox goes after dachshund in Elgin, but is chased away before making off with meal.

(DEC. 2) Coyotes go suburban -- to Evanston -- where they find plenty to eat, but a leery human population.

(DEC. 1) "Unprecedented fish kill" planned for six-mile stretch of Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, aimed at Asian carp.

(NOV. 30) Assistant football coach at Eastern Illinois University killed in car crash after vehicle swerved to avoid deer.

(NOV. 26) Spike in coyote sightings has west suburb issuing "safety suggestions" for residents.

(NOV. 25) Deer spotted in abandoned section of Bensenville that Daley administration wants for O'Hare expansion.

(NOV. 25) Was a cougar spotted in West Chicago?

(NOV. 25) Glenview parks enlist coyote decoys to keep away geese. Do they work? "Sort of."

(NOV. 24) Emerald ash borer claiming trees in St. Charles.

(NOV. 24) Asian carp worry fishermen in Lake Michigan.

(NOV. 23) At least 17 people in the Elgin area have reported seeing a panther-like creature since 2007.

(NOV. 23) Romeoville barrier may have failed to contain Asian carp.

(NOV. 21) Asian carp found in waterways within seven miles of Lake Michigan.

(NOV. 19) Community grapples with what to do about feral cats.

(NOV. 19) Deer smashes through storefront window -- belonging to shop that processes deer meat Downstate.

(NOV. 18) St. Charles cops shoot two raccoons in recent days.

(NOV. 18) Wildlife in Indiana dunes threatened by climate change.

(NOV. 17) Plan to poison Asian carp could kill off numerous other fish.

(NOV. 16) Throngs of people migrate to northwest Indiana to view visiting sandhill cranes.

(NOV. 16) Conservation group lays out ambition plans to preserve land.

(NOV. 16) Nature Conservancy buys nearly 140 acres adjacent to other parcels that are rich with wildlife.

(NOV. 14) Poison being tapped to wipe out Asian carp.

(NOV. 13) Coyotes stirring up trouble in St. Charles; one spotted dragging deer across lawn.

(NOV. 13) Officials in West Chicago respond to concerns over coyotes.

(NOV. 13) Scientist on monk parakeets in Chicago: "We're watching an invasion."

(NOV. 12) Elk, bison win reprieve at Elgin zoo.

(NOV. 9) Whooping cranes get fixed-wing escort over Illinois.

(NOV. 8) Lake County looking to expand its forest preserves.

(NOV. 6) Are wind farms bad for the birds? Event to focus on that question.

(NOV. 6) Wheeling streambank project completed.

(NOV. 6) Love is in the air -- so drivers should beware of deer in the roadway.

(NOV. 5) Mountain lions reportedly spotted in southern Wisconsin.

(NOV. 5) Coyote near St. Charles school making residents uneasy.

(NOV. 5) Cook County Forest Preserve District gets 176 acres from Oak Forest Hospital.

(NOV. 3) More on Chicago-area coyote study.

(NOV. 2) Kane County forest preserve the "front line" against deer disease.

(NOV. 2) Dyer, Ind., tries to cope with pesky geese.

(OCT. 28) White deer reported in south suburbs.

(OCT. 28) Cook County leads the state in deer-car collisions.

(OCT. 24) Forest Preserve near Lake Villa being restored.

(OCT. 23) The focus is on owls in Northwest Indiana.

(OCT. 23) Feral cats "stir passions" in far western suburbs.

(OCT. 21) Cook County Forest Preserve District budget: no tax or fee hikes.

(OCT. 21) A Frankfort farmer tries "to undo decades of farming techniques he believes are harmful to your health."

(OCT. 20) Write-up on Chicago's urban coyote project.

(OCT. 20) DuPage forest preserve district sues former fund-raising arm.

(OCT. 20) Naperville's "most enigmatic neighbors" are its owls.

(OCT. 20) Bodies found in forest preserve near Calumet City.

(OCT. 19) Girls sickened in salmonella outbreak had been swimming in backyard pool with pet turtles.

(OCT. 19) Resident finds coyotes only ones to help clean up deer carcass.

(OCT. 18) Bear visits Wisconsin grocery store, heads to beer cooler.

(OCT. 17) Volunteers to remove trash, invasive species from Kishwaukee River in Woodstock.

(OCT. 17) Elmhurst man cited for illegally trapping skunk, which he later killed with pellet gun.

(OCT. 17) Cougar sightings in Midwest rarely legitimate -- but tell that to the public.

(OCT. 16) Fox roams Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood.

(OCT. 15) School district uses coyote decoys to keep away geese.

(OCT. 15) Motorola workers comb woods for buckthorn.

(OCT. 15) Montgomery man shoots neighbors dog, mistaking it for coyote.

(OCT. 14) With the change of seasons, drivers are being warned to be on the lookout for deer.

(OCT. 14) New forest preserve opens this weekend in Kane County.

(OCT. 13) Bolingbrook woman runs exotic bird rescue operation.

(OCT. 13) Are beavers just "ordinary rodents"?

(OCT. 12) Volunteers "re-green" forest preserves.

(OCT. 11) Two hundred pounds of garbage cleared from Fox River.

(OCT. 11) Brookfield Zoo keeper going on polar bear quest.

(OCT. 11) Homer Glen looks to drop millions on 98-acre farm parcel that would be converted into park.

(OCT. 10) Former Wheaton mayor to run for DuPage County forest preserve post.

(OCT. 9) Tentative OK given for Lake County Forest Preserve District to expand, including new perserves near Lake Villa and Wadsworth.

(OCT. 9) Event in Lake Villa to benefit foundation that helps ferrets.

(OCT. 8) Emerald ash borer found in Arlington Heights.

(OCT. 7) Des Plaines River clean-up planned in far north suburbs.

(OCT. 7) Lake County Forest Preserve district looking to pay out $10 million for more land.

(OCT. 7) Study looking at Chicago's monk parakeets.

(OCT. 7) "Delineated wetland" in McHenry should be saved, not turned into disc golf course, according to reader.

(OCT. 6) More "hobby farms" springing up.

(OCT. 6) The horses of Oak Brook.

(OCT. 5) Animal rescue center discussed near Tinley Park.

(OCT. 5) Oak Park tries to improve canopy by increasing planting distance between trees.

(OCT. 5) Roughly 200 species of birds in the Chicago area "are headed for their winter digs."

(OCT. 4) Wildlife expert Jeff Corwin to appear at event in Elgin.

(OCT. 1) "You, too, could have a canoe for a day."

(SEPT. 30) Horse ban at Joliet park irks riders.

(SEPT. 30) Genoa girding for emerald ash borer "invasion."

(SEPT. 30) Economic downturn responsible for more folks abandoning horses.

(SEPT. 29) Bird exhibit being held at Aurora University.

(SEPT. 29) Large marijuana-growing operation unearthed in cornfields of McHenry County.

(SEPT. 29) Old racetrack in suburban forest preserve getting new surface.

(SEPT. 29) Now's the time to plant trees.

(SEPT. 29) One in every 228 Illinois drivers will hit a deer this year, according to an analysis by an insurance company.

(SEPT. 28) Suburban school districts look to wind farm to save on power costs, help environment.

(SEPT. 28) Wildlife park in southwest Michigan, owned by Chicagoans, closing because no bidders stepped up.

(SEPT. 27) Chicago students participate in bog restoration project in dunes.

(SEPT. 27) Invasive plant overtaking nature area in south suburbs.

(SEPT. 26) Emerald ash borer found in Buffalo Grove.

(SEPT. 26) Would Chicago Olympics facility "squeeze out" bird sanctuary?

(SEPT. 26) Grant money coming through to help repair Little Calumet levies.

(SEPT. 26) Big stink in Evanston over skunk population.

(SEPT. 26) Anglers, hunters "serve community in many ways."

(SEPT. 26) West Dundee woman ordered to pick up roadkill for stabbing two pet lizards.

(SEPT. 26) Yorkville man arrested for allegedly growing pot in forest preserves.

(SEPT. 25) "Women work to bring Lyme disease to surface."

(SEPT. 25) South suburban resident on marsh restoration: "The land was very beautiful, and it's all ruined now. When you walk through the trails, it's like a cemetery."

(SEPT. 24) Beach Park tightening up leaf-burning rules.

(SEPT. 24) Wind turbines eyed for Waukegan lakefront.

(SEPT. 24) Controlled burn considered at Batavia marsh.

(SEPT. 24) Kane County woman cares for red-tailed hawk.

(SEPT. 24) NW Indiana town braces for emerald ash borer.

(SEPT. 24) Dreaded emerald ash borer beetle found in LaGrange.

(SEPT. 24) Curious find in DuPage River near Bolingbrook, Naperville.

(SEPT. 24) Madigan going after Bloomingdale animal rescue shelter in lawsuit.

(SEPT. 24) Two carriage drivers found guilty of mistreating horses.

(SEPT. 23) Highwood rolling out the barrels -- rain barrels for residents.

(SEPT. 22) Learning about the animals of the dunes.

(SEPT. 22) So long summer, welcome autumn.

(SEPT. 22) Kane County forest preserve cops may get new headquarters.

(SEPT. 22) Visitors to the Botanic Garden can check more than plants -- they can watch researchers at work.

(SEPT. 22) A snapshot of some of the area's hiking spots.

(SEPT. 22) Several local colleges tracking Chicago's monk parakeets.

(SEPT. 21) So, is it a weed, a wildflower?

(SEPT. 21) Suburb considers "leaving" the leaf pick-up business.

(SEPT. 21) Will Oak Forest farm, buildings be saved?

(SEPT. 20) Orchard in Hobart, Ind., now "branching out."

(SEPT. 20) Three Addison students turn science experiment into lesson on recycling, environment.

(SEPT. 20) Morton Arboretum revisits Darwin in exhibit that "shows how Darwin studied plants to help validate his theories of evolution."

(SEPT. 20) Butterfly experiment taking flight in suburbs. "This is one of the flashier butterflies in this state."

(SEPT. 19) Naperville Park District planning garden plots at DuPage River Park.

(SEPT. 18) Rolling Meadows park district official has elephants in "his blood."

(SEPT. 18) "Urban refuge" being restored on Northwest Side, on one of the last big swaths of nature in the city.

(SEPT. 17) Developing the Waukegan "savanna" -- could be trails, an organic farm, even a dog exercise area at 772-acre site.

(SEPT. 17) Pottawatomie Garden Club plants flowers on bridges -- been doing it for more than 30 years.

(SEPT. 17) Bizarre find in DuPage River: statues of Hindu gods.

(SEPT. 17) Emerald ash borer found in West Dundee.

(SEPT. 17) Waukegan Police Department trying to keep mounted unit amid budget cuts.

(SEPT. 17) St. Charles-area woman killed in horse incident.

(SEPT. 16) Wildlife park animals OK for sale in SW Michigan, official insists.

(SEPT. 16) Naperville plans to clear 20 acres of trees, brush for new park.

(SEPT. 16) Founder of Lake County forest preserve system dies.

(SEPT. 15) Animals at amusement, wildlife park that's for sale to be quarantined before auction.

(SEPT. 15) Coyote pup spotted on South Side. More]

(SEPT. 14) "Bioneer" symposium being held in McHenry County.

(SEPT. 14) Arlington Heights woman and sister -- both senior citizens -- embark on 2,700-mile cycling "adventure" along East Coast.

(SEPT. 14) Daley administration proposing new lakefront bike path. (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(SEPT. 13) Homewood has cut down 623 trees since November "to combat the onslaught of the emerald ash borer." Now residents are being urged to plant more.

(SEPT. 13) Once an active quarry, now "area is flush with flora and fauna as well as hikers, fishermen and tour groups."

(SEPT. 13) River flooding, inspections and money.

(SEPT. 13) "Glorious gardens" in Chicago region revealed.

(SEPT. 12) Chicagoans trying to sell amusement, wildlife park in southwest Michigan. "Ever wanted to own a bobcat or a cougar?"

(SEPT. 12) Wildlife regulators in Wisc. thinking about extending deer hunting season to better control herds.

(SEPT. 11) "We, and the world we live in, have a remarkable capacity to recover and renew."

(SEPT. 11) Profile on Deer Grove's hiking trails.

(SEPT. 10) Tinley Park teenager tends to a "flying squirrel, three bearded dragons, an African gray parrot, a blue and gold macaw, two leopard geckos and two parakeets."

(SEPT. 10) Zebra mussels making deeper incursion into Indiana.

(SEPT. 10) New eco-friendly path at Morton Arboretum built with help from Wisconsin beer drinkers.

(SEPT. 10) Indiana dunes park to grow after land donation from conservation group.

(SEPT. 10) DNR offering free fishing day at state parks this month.

(SEPT. 10) Woodstock High School's "envirothon team" does well at national competition focusing on natural resources.

(SEPT. 10) Mosquitoes with West Nile virus detected in Homer Glen.

(SEPT. 9) Let the hiking season commence.

(SEPT. 9) Chicago Botanic Garden furthers "mission of conserving the world's flora" by opening multimillion-dollar Plant Science Center.

(SEPT. 8) Wisconsin motorcyclist severely injured after apparently hitting deer.

(SEPT. 7) Column on an "odd little chunk of vestigial prairie south of Kaneville."

(SEPT. 7) New book by Chicago-area ecological designer and restorationist. He "offers an intriguing vision for sustainability that includes shared hiking trails, floodwater-management landscapes and organic farming."

(SEPT. 7) Bobcat population growing in parts of Indiana.

(SEPT. 7) "Neighbors may shudder at the sight of such botanical anarchy, but my lawn -- rather, my un-lawn -- is a paragon of health."

(SEPT. 7) Lake County poised to add a new forest preserve, expand another.

(SEPT. 7) Horse shelter hosting auction to raise funds.

(SEPT. 6) McHenry woman's passion for art being tapped by Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources.

(AUG. 30) Suburban coyotes subject of upcoming presentation.

(AUG. 30) Naperville naturalist seeks out "urban landscapes."

(AUG. 25) Elgin zoo's days could be numbered.

(AUG. 25) Petition drive launched to save Elgin zoo.