Invasive weed commonly found in sunny areas.
Metallic-colored native beetle often found on dogbane in the summer months.
Native wildflower that attracts a large number of different pollinators.
Native duck that can be seen in Northern IL throughout the summer.
Spring flowering annual native to southern IL that has been moving into northern IL.
Native spring flowering iris that does well in rain gardens and bioswales.
Non-native and very invasive forb from Europe found mostly in woodlands and savannas.
Striking native red bird commonly found throughout Illinois. Easy to spot in winter!
Invasive tree originally used in parkways and landscaping before it escaped into natural areas.
Native ephemeral forb found in open woodlands in the spring. Some say the leaf looks like a trout.
Non-native & invasive ground cover introduced from Europe.
Native spring ephemeral often seen growing in open woods.
Native bird with striking white wing feathers often seen soaring above looking for food.
Early native wildflower found in woodlands.
Easily startled native bird often found bobbing around searching for worms.
Non-native alder commonly planted along shorelines and often spreads quickly.
Flowers on the aggressive, but native cottonwood tree in the spring.
Native spider often found while walking through prairie areas.
American bittersweet vine with orange seed pods that open in the winter to expose dark red berries.
Very early prairie plant that can often be seen popping up through our last snows of the season.
Native sparrow often seen during the winter foraging for seeds.
Native woodpecker often found and heard foraging for food amongst trees in the winter.
Native deer species commonly found throughout the Chicago area.
Finch known for it's bright gold color in summer. It's winter plumage is much less vibrant.
Not often seen native plant found in higher quality areas with dense shade.
Native Caterpillars often found in the fall. Will become an Isabella Tiger Moth.
Softshell turtle native to IL that can be found in lakes, ponds and streams.
Native aster that blooms in late summer through early fall.
Aggressive non-native and invasive grass found in wetlands and roadside swales.
Native plant found mostly in woodlands. Infamous for attaching seeds to unsuspecting passersby.
Native migratory bird often found sunning themselve on logs or in trees near the lakes they fish in.
Native goldenrod with rough leaves found in prairies throughout the midwest.
Native milkweed with orange to red flowers that is attractive to butterflies.
Native migratory bird with striking blue color often found in prairies and open woodlands.
Native tree found mostly in southern Illinois. Known for being the state tree of Ohio.
Native forb commonly found in prairies and savannas.
Invasive wetland species introduced from Europe & Asia.
Non-native and invasive species the spreads quickly and threatens prairies and savannas.
Large native bird often seen fishing in ponds and streams.
Native sedge found in wetlands and stream corridors.
Common native damselfly found in a variety of habitats.
Native wetland/shoreline flower with striking red color that can attract hummingbirds.
An invasive biennial that blooms in the spring.
Native butterfly found throughout much of North America.
Native shrub most often found in wetlands.
Very common native bird foud throught most of North and South America.
Native small tree with pink flowers found in an a variety of habitats and often used in landscaping.
A butterfly native to most of North America that likes to lay its eggs on native aster species.
Early blooming native perennial found in prairies and savannas.
Native spring wildflower often found in savannas and open woods.
Native spring ephemeral found in open woodlands.
Beautiful migratory birds that can often be heard flying overhead during our burn seasons.
Native species of wetlands and often up before the snow has melted.
Tiny little frogs that are most often heard and not seen in the spring.
Native tree with buds that open like flowers to reveal new shoots.