World Wildlife Day has arrived, with March 3 being set aside each year by the United Nations to raise awareness of the Earth’s fauna and flora, along with the important impact they have on our lives every day.
In Will County, we’re fortunate to have set aside more than 21,000 acres of land that the District manages and works to protect wildlife, especially threatened or endangered species. For example, a recent project completed at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve that saw ComEd remove its utility poles will avoid future disturbance of habitat for the federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly.
Of local and national concern is the monarch butterfly, which has seen a sharp decline in its population, with experts estimating the monarch population is one-tenth of what it was in 1996. The news isn’t much better for bees — a major link in the food chain — which according to a recent study, have populations at serious risk in 139 counties nationwide.
That’s the serious part of World Wildlife Day.
The lighter side? It gives us an opportunity to showcase some of the amazing creatures you can see when stepping out into any of the dozens of the District’s preserves.
HERE'S A SAMPLING OF WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND:
Bald Eagles
Blue-spotted Salamanders
Chipmunks
Eastern Red Bats
Garter Snakes
Great Egrets
Katydids
Muskrats
Raccoons
Snapping Turtles
Article by Chad Merda
Lead image by Paul Dacko