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The shortest day calls for a special celebration ✨ Join us this Saturday for the Solstice Celebration at Camp Shabbona Woods featuring crafts, guided walks, and a crackling bonfire to keep things cozy. For more info on our solstice events, visit: https://t.co/sfasw0cT94

Interested in learning more about the American Mink? Visit one of our six nature centers and talk to one of our naturalists!

Like domestic cats, minks can purr, hiss, and growl to communicate!

This time of year, they forage for birds and small mammals like muskrats and cottontail rabbits.

They have long, slender bodies with short legs, small ears, and a short tail about one-third their body length.

Webbed feet help them navigate lakes, streams, and ponds in search of food like fish, mussels, and amphibians.

Sports a deep brown or black, thick glossy coat and often some white on the chin or chest.

Today we’re spotlighting the American Mink (Mustela vison). Check out 5 fun facts about this fascinating little predator:

Yes, it’s cold—but winter in the Forest Preserves of Cook County has its own magic ❄️. Snowy landscapes, quiet trails, and crisp air await. Planning ahead is key, so read on for essential tips to stay safe and have fun while exploring this winter: https://t.co/Epca0plmnn

Welcome the shortest day of the year surrounded by nature. ❄️ Join us next Saturday, December 20 at Thatcher Woods for snowflake crafts, Indigenous storytelling, and a warm outdoor bonfire. More info: https://t.co/RaFzPhTnDI

Don't miss it this Saturday! Join us for a cozy s’mores party with tasty campfire treats! Enjoy weather-dependent activities like crafts, a story trail, animal artifacts, sledding, snowshoeing, and more.

November’s jewel in the woods 🌟🍁 This red-headed woodpecker at Deer Grove is a reminder: protecting nature means protecting moments like this. 🌿 📸: by Leonardo Estrada. Deer Grove, November 2024

🔥Ain't no party like a S’mores Party! 📅 Sat, Dec 13 | 10:30 am – 1:30 pm 📍 Swallow Cliff Woods – North Make gooey s’mores around the campfire and enjoy crafts, a story trail, animal artifacts, sledding, snowshoeing and more. ❄️✨ More info: https://t.co/THYWUK0FLo

🐟🏃 Despite having approximately zero legs, the muskies still try to run. That’s why, twice a year, @fpdcc fisheries teams up with @IllinoisDNR to bring runaway muskies back to Busse Reservoir after they slip past the dam. Learn more: https://t.co/L5aEL1VYzf

Wildlife Tip for #WildConservationDay! Want to help animals? Don’t feed them! It can make them sick, disrupt natural behavior, spread disease, and is illegal in the Forest Preserves ($75 fine). ❌ More info: https://t.co/0cYo3rQknk #WildConservationDay #ProtectWildlife

While these cameras monitor the healthy wildlife community at Sag, they’re also on the lookout for more elusive neighbors. We set them up hoping to catch rare glimpses of bobcats and gray foxes. If you love seeing Chicagoland at its wildest, give us a howl in the comments.

📷 Caught on camera! Trail cameras at Sagawau picked up this incredible shot of a coyote mid-howl! After a season of fattening up in the fall, coyotes are entering one of their busiest times of year. They’ll soon be patrolling their territory and pairing up for mating season.

What is #Restoration? Ecological restoration is the process of returning landscapes to health using scientific knowledge & recognized techniques to create an #ecosystem filled with a diversity of native plants & animals. Learn more: https://t.co/iMHHiMb4wn

📷: Sandhill Cranes by Leonardo Estrada 📍: Deer Grove, November 2023

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