Valerie Blaine
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Nighttime nature hikes explore the nocturnal worldOct 02, 2014 11:00 pm - Ever wonder what goes on at night in nature? The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is offering special night hikes this month to explore the nocturnal world. The ...
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The sandhill crane: A restoraton success storySep 13, 2014 6:00 am - Imagine that the robin was an endangered species. If one landed in your yard, it would be pretty exciting. Or, what if the cardinal were a rare bird? The sight of a bri...
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The many uses - both good and bad - of stinging nettlesSep 07, 2014 11:00 pm - You're out for a walk in the woods, enjoying a stroll along the river. Then, suddenly, you feel as if you've been stung by a thousand sharp needles. Your arms and legs ...
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Summer twilight: an enchanting timeJul 18, 2014 1:01 am - The long, hot day melts in the dimming light. Faintly, the evening star appears in the sky. Animals begin to shift in the shadows. It's twilight. It's summer. And summer...
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It takes many clovers to make a meadowJul 07, 2014 6:01 am - "To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee," wrote 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson. "One clover, and a bee, and revery …" As a naturalist, I love Dickin...
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World traveler, birder, teacher and naturalist: Jack PomattoJun 20, 2014 5:01 am - Losing a friend is a tough experience. Losing a friend who was an inspiration, a mentor, and a champion for the natural world is exceptionally hard. Retired naturalist ...
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Wild geraniums herald the arrival of spring in Fox Valley woodsMay 29, 2014 6:00 am - Not too long ago, curled-up flower buds bore the burden of snow. These buds held the promise of better things to come. When the long-awaited sun finally came out, the u...
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On pelicans, pests and leaves: Answers to some recently asked questionsMar 29, 2014 6:01 am - From birds to oak trees and beetles, anything goes in the FAQ department here at the nature center. Finding answers to questions is one of the most fun parts of being a...
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Maple sugaring heralds spring's arrivalMar 04, 2014 10:00 pm - The best things in life are worth waiting for. Spring, for example. The initiation of spring for many folks is maple sugaring. Both spring and maple sugaring are a long ...
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100 years later: Lessons we can learn from the passenger pigeonJan 20, 2014 5:00 am - Lessons we can learn from the extinction of the passenger pigeon