The Northern Illinois Anglers Association will be holding its 43rd annual Kankakee and Iroquois River Clean Up on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit RiverCleanUp.net for volunteer information.

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.

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.

Kankakee fisherman James Swisher, once the leader of a top fish caught in this year's fishing derby, disqualified himself.

Kankakee County officials gathered in Aroma Park to mark the beginning of the sediment removal project on the Kankakee River.

Spring trout fishing season kicks off in April. That means the annual Kids’ Fishing Day sponsored by the Northern Illinois Anglers Association is nearing.

<p>Nineteen paintings depicting Smokey Bear, the immensely popular symbol of the U.S. Forest Service’s wildfire prevention campaign, will be on display at five Will County nature sites this winter.</p>

<p>The dark winter months can be a great time for owl prowling. Owls are nocturnal, which means that they are the most active feeding, vocalizing and moving about in the dark hours. With winter’s long nights and short days, it’s an ideal time to brush up your owl abilities with a walk at dusk to look for and learn about owls.</p>

<p>Sitting here in the cold of January I have circled March 1 on my calendar as something to look forward to. This is the return of the Wild Things Conference to our region at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. This full day conference is like Comic-Con but for Chicagoland nature nerds.</p>

<p>If you thought that squirrels were a distraction for dogs, you should see the Kankakee Sands staff when someone says, “squirrel!” Whenever we think we see one of the recently-released Franklin’s ground squirrels (Poliocitellus franklinii) on the prairie, it’s worth stopping in our tracks to confirm. (Note: We do not chase them, much to the confusion of my own dog.)</p>

<p>The week of Thanksgiving I was on a hike talking stewardship needs with some peers in a woodland. A cold front was coming, and a deep freeze was eminent. As we walked along I saw very few signs of life as most creatures had retreated into hiding for the long winter or at least were hunkering down for the first prolonged cold blast of the season.</p>

<p>I had heard the buzz about a new outdoor clothing store that was opening up. The store is called “Sitka Gear” and they have six stores beside the one that just opened in Vernon Hills, a stone’s throw from the Hawthorne Mall, near the intersection of Route 60 and Route 21.</p>

<p>December Forest Preserve District of Will County programs have filled up quickly this year.</p>

The Jingle Bell Run is the only local fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation

Ice skating and hockey enthusiasts can take advantage of a fresh sheet of ice — weather permitting — at the village of Manteno’s outdoor rink at Legacy Park

After a one year hiatus, the popular Thanksgiving tradition is back for its 11th year at 9 a.m. on Nov. 16 at Perry Farm Park

<p>I was thinking about some of the many times I have experienced episodes that I can now look back on as being funny but at the time were not funny in the least.</p>

<p>The Forest Preserve District of Will County programs for the week of Nov. 25 offer a variety of events. Online registration is available on the event calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org.</p>