austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Chicago

Let us help you find Mother Nature in this concrete jungle.

. The fat snapping turtle is back — spotted again after making 

But Chonk isn’t the only critter that calls 

🐢 The Wild Mile aka “Turtle Alley”

, a new floating ecopark in Goose Island. Quickly, the area has gained the nickname “Turtle Alley.”

Chonkosaurus was probably born around the time 

Friends of the Chicago River began environmental efforts

 50 years ago. In addition to snappers like her, you can also find painted and 

. The latter are especially sensitive to water quality, which indicates that clean-ups along the river are working.

No boat? You can access the Wild Mile boardwalk behind the REI on Eastman Street.

Before European settlement in Chicago, river fish flourished. But as industry grew, local fish declined to the point that there were fewer than ten species left in the river in the 1970s.

than 70 species of fish thrive in the river

Multiple forms of carp — but not invasive carp. Yet.

, can be found downstream of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The situation could require 

 — fish in the Chicago River are technically edible, but you should not eat them often due to chemicals and heavy metals in the water. If you’re determined, follow 

Almost 300 species of birds live in forest preserves throughout Illinois. Most can be spotted along the Chicago River, especially during migration seasons: mid-March to mid-June and early August to late November.

Birds that swoop near the river most often include:

. They were nearly extinct from Illinois in the early 1900s and were listed as endangered in 1989. After habitat restoration, their population grew so much they were delisted in 2004. Even 

🛶 To see these mammals, and more, consider paddling on a 

Everyone's talking about Chonkosaurus, but the river is home to a variety of turtles, fish, birds, and mammals.

Animals You Can See Along the Chicago River

Meet the Critters of the Chicago River

Get to know the natural side of Chicago: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Chicago Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Across the country, bird flu is impacting the health of wild species, backyard flocks, and commerce — including pushing the cost of eggs 

Here’s a quick guide to what bird flu is, how it’s affecting Illinois, and how Chicagoans can keep themselves and their pets safe.

Formally known as the H5N1 avian influenza, bird flu is a viral disease that is highly contagious among wild and domestic birds. Wild waterfowl like geese are the primary carriers, but it is highly contagious to all birds, causing illness and potentially sudden death in an infected bird.

While several dozen wild birds in the state have 

, there is currently no data on affected species here.

The Illinois agriculture and public health departments have been monitoring 

 since spring 2024 after some cases were reported in other states.

transmission of avian influenza to humans is rare

, there have been 66 confirmed human cases in the United States. There are no confirmed cases of bird flu in humans in Illinois.

, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though livestock workers and people who are often exposed to wild birds are at higher risk for infection.

To prevent infection, the CDC recommends people stay away from sick or dead animals, avoid touching or drinking raw milk, and 

The Illinois Department of Public Health has 

 on your property and reporting multiple bird deaths.

Transmission of bird flu to other animals is also rare, but pet owners are encouraged to 

keep pets from coming into contact with wild birds

, so contact a veterinarian immediately if a pet starts acting erratically.

A quick guide to what bird flu is, how it’s affecting Illinois, and how Chicagoans can keep themselves and their pets safe.

How Chicagoans Can Keep Themselves and Their Pets Safe From Bird Flu

How to Stay Safe From Bird Flu

Thanksgiving is late this year, so why wait until after the holiday to put up your Christmas tree? We’re sharing the 

” earned its reputation because of its pretty color, fragrant scent, and firm branches. Fraser firs also retain needles well, which means less cleanup.

A Balsam fir might be the quintessential Christmas tree between its strong evergreen aroma and dark green needles.

? The Douglas fir has less prickly needles and is better suited for lighter-weight ornaments.

! While the tree’s blue and dark green needles are stunning, they fall out easily and are prickly. Wear gloves and a long sleeve while you handle.

If you want a less aromatic tree, the white pine is your guy. With daintier branches, you’re better off with lightweight ornaments or wrapping the tree in lights and garlands.

Thanksgiving is late this year, so why wait until after the holiday to put up your Christmas tree?

5 Types of Christmas Trees You Can Get in Chicagoland

Illinois has some really great natural beauty. Did you ever consider trying to see it all along a road trip? You can see all of this breathtaking beauty on this wonderful road trip that visits 10 of the best 

If you've ever wondered "are there natural wonders in Illinois?" this trip should answer that question! Visiting 10 natural wonders in Illinois, this is the most amazing road trip you'll ever take in the Land of Lincoln. Here is the 

 of the Natural Wonders Road Trip in Illinois:

Sometimes you can forget just how beautiful Lake Michigan is. This park has 6.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. There are trails near the beach and also through woods.

In terms of natural wonders in Illinois, this is a stunner! "Palisades" refers to the bluffs surrounding the rivers. Trails wind through these bluffs, and where they come out, you can get a peerless view of the Mississippi River. It is lush, green, and awe-inspiring.

The most famous state park in Illinois, this park is home to canyons, waterfalls, and wonderful rock formations. Waterfalls in Illinois? You'll find some of the best here! Overlooks throughout the park give you some great views of the river and the forest. It's also pretty gorgeous in the winter, particularly when the waterfalls freeze.

This state park has loads of great waterfalls, too. (Some of the best natural wonders in Illinois are waterfalls, in fact!) You might not know that there are dells, upper and lower. Interesting rock formations are even more stunning looking up from below.

A stunning natural wonder in Illinois, this bridge was carved by Mother Nature, with an assist from rivers over time. The bridge is about 90 feet long and around 8 feet wide. There is also a small cave in the area to explore.

This Illinois State Park is known for some wacky stone structures. It is also known for its "Giant City Streets," almost a little city but made out of rocks. There are also a whopping 75 varieties of towering trees.

Woods surround some truly amazing rock formations. There are also a few waterfalls through this park. Be sure to see Hawks Cave, a 150-foot-long shelter bluff. Please use extreme caution when exploring this wondrous place, as it's considered one of the most dangerous state parks in Illinois.

You would never know that Illinois is home to some really old trees like this--some of which are 1,000 years old. They seem to just jut out of the bog. These green waters are home to all sorts of wildlife, including sea snakes. One of the most glorious natural wonders in Illinois, ache River State Natural Area is also widely considered one of the state's most beautiful places.

Once you're here, there's no mystery to why this place is named as such. The 320 million year old rocks will blow you away. And the panoramic views, particularly during sunsets, are incredible. It's also home to numerous Illinois waterfalls, which you can read about below!

This giant cave will truly overwhelm you. The mouth is 55 feet long. Don't forget to walk in and turn around to see a great view of the Ohio River.

Looking for more beautiful natural wonders in Illinois? Check out this list of 

Explore 10 breathtaking natural wonders in Illinois on an unforgettable road trip.

This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Illinois Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

Monday marked the last 6:00 p.m. sunset of the year, and Halloween is fast approaching.

Dark and spooky? A perfect time to honor the nocturnal creatures of Chicago (i.e. the critters that go bump in the night).

Although rodent-like in appearance, opossums are actually marsupials like koalas and kangaroos — yes, they also have pouches for their offspring. These little creatures have 50 teeth, opposable thumbs, and are the longest surviving mammal in North America. Opossums feed on rotten food fallen from trees, bugs, insects, and roaches, which has earned them the nickname “

 is black and gray and can weigh up to 30 pounds as an adult. They’re common across the state and reside in wooded bluffs and bushy ravines. Bobcats are carnivores, so be sure to keep your pets inside at night and 

Like a mix between a moth and a hummingbird, sphinx moths have large bodies, small wings, and a long tube-like mouth to help access its primary source of food: nectar from flowers. The white-lined sphinx moth can be seen during the day, but 

Identifiable by its tiny body and big eyes, these squirrels live primarily in wooded cavities like old nests and dead trees. They’re difficult to spot in the dark, but have a 

. Despite the name, they navigate trees by gliding rather than flying.

Often misunderstood, bats are another natural pest controller, consuming thousands of insects each night. All 13 species of bats commonly found in Illinois are 

, so they cannot be shot, trapped, or held in confinement.

If you enjoyed reading about these nocturnal creatures, you’re going to love the delightfully spooky “

” document from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Just in time for spooky season, these are the creatures that roam the night around Illinois.

The Nocturnal Animals of Illinois

Meet Illinois’ Nocturnal Animals

Chicagoans don’t have to visit Thailand to see pygmy hippos, even as the viral Moo Deng captures hearts worldwide. The Brookfield and Lincoln Park zoos have pygmy hippos you can visit today.

First, Pygmy Hippos Are NOT Common Hippos

Cassy Kutilek, curator of large mammals and carnivores at Lincoln Park Zoo, said the cousins have some key differences.

🦛 The pygmy hippo weighs 400–600 pounds, but the common hippo can weigh thousands.

🦛 The smaller hippo is naturally more solitary.

🦛 The pygmy hippo is also less aquatic, preferring to stay on the edge of a bank in a swamp.

How Did Pygmy Hippos Arrive at Chicago Zoos?

Pygmy hippos are an endangered species: Their natural habitat of West African rainforests is threatened by deforestation and human activity, said Joan Daniels, Brookfield Zoo associate vice president of animal care and conservation.

Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo are both participating in plans to 

The southwest suburban zoo got Banana in 2022 after she was born in a facility in Florida a couple of years earlier. Now 5 years old, Banana is old enough to have her own calf, but she doesn’t have a mate.

Love isn’t quite yet in the air at the North Side zoo either: 25-year-old Pogo and 16-year-old Annie still aren’t pregnant a year after they came to Chicago together. Kutilek said Pogo has been a “gentleman” in initiating the mating process.

Are All Pygmy Hippos So Slippery and Sassy?

Moo Deng is known online for her glossy appearance and for nipping at her caretakers.

Pygmy hippos are slippery because they secrete a substance that protects their taut skin by acting as an antiseptic, sunscreen, and bug spray. Sometimes the secretion is called “blood sweat” because it has a reddish hue, but it is neither blood nor sweat, Kutilek said.

Why else are they slippery? Water and lots of it. Pygmy hippos love water because the sun can dehydrate their skin quickly, Daniels said.

Moo Deng isn’t the only one known for sass

“I think they're all kind of spunky and sassy in general,” Daniels said. “Good things come in small packages.”

 until the weather gets too cold. But you can catch Annie and Pogo year-round at 

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Regenstein African Journey habitat

If there is any news on baby pygmy hippos, we’ll be the first to tell you!

Their names are Banana, Pogo, and Annie, and you could visit them today at the Brookfield and Lincoln Park zoos.

Move Over, Moo Deng. Here are Chicago's Pygmy Hippos.

October is peak fall foliage season in Illinois, which is why we're helping you plan your trips to take in all the crisp autumn colors. Let’s go leaf-peeping 🍂

 helps residents see when and where leaves are changing. Fall foliage is expected to peak by the second week of October in Northern Illinois and by the end of October in Central and Southern Illinois.

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County in Rockford

Chicago has plenty of spots to take in the autumn colors

. Score other leaf-peeping tips from our colleagues in 

October is peak fall foliage season in Illinois, which is why we're helping you plan your trips to take in all the crisp autumn colors.

How to Track Fall Colors in Illinois

Where to Peep Leaves in Illinois

Who says you have to go birdwatching alone? Plenty of Chicagoans are gathering to search for birds together. Here are a few groups on our radar.

The group has been organizing bird walks across Chicagoland for decades. This month, they have outings at Jackson Park’s Wooded Island, Graceland Cemetery, and Bemis Woods. You can also join a work day to remove non-native vegetation to help birds better eat and nest.

Founded more than 100 years ago, COS invites Chicagoans to learn about local birds and how to protect them. Birders can spot hawks at Steelworkers Park and other birds from canoes. Become a volunteer and lead a field trip or contribute to the Chicago Birder magazine.

Birders of color are invited to events like a big sit in McKinley Park or a bilingual walk in Humboldt Park. Chicago BIPOC Birders is also politically active, advocating for policies to 

 and raising awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Founded in 2018, the Chicago chapter of the Feminist Bird Club connects birders and organizes around social issues. Masks will be required and should be on hand at upcoming fall migration walks — including at the Rosehill Cemetery walk next month.

Break out the small binoculars: Illinoisans ages 9–18 can go on monthly field trips and attend an annual symposium with this organization.

Who says you have to go birdwatching alone?

The Best Chicago Birdwatching Groups 

, we’re reminding local birders about some of the creatures you can find in the Chicago area at different points in the year.

Piping plovers, shorebirds that match the sandy beaches they inhabit, are endangered in the Great Lakes region. That’s why it was such a big deal when Monty and Rose landed at Montrose Beach five years ago — and why you might see Chicagoans rocking some 

. Their grandchild Nagamo hung out at the North Side beach this summer.

As spooky season creeps in, beware of crows! The omnivores that thrive in cities are smart and hold grudges. So if you want to avoid being attacked, feed them nuts and dry pet food. Bonus: They might just start bringing you gifts 🎁

Another bird that might attack you? The red-winged blackbird. Luckily nesting season has passed. But watch out for male birds along the lakefront next summer: They are extremely protective of their nests.

The bird gets a bad rap as the “rat of the sky,” but is extremely intelligent and was once used to deliver messages. Thanks to the 

, some bird lovers are fostering pigeons in their homes.

We’re reminding local birders about some of the creatures you can find in the Chicago area at different points in the year.

Chicago Birds to Watch During Migration and Beyond

Every week, the City Cast Chicago team asks ourselves if it’s 

 Wednesday. This week, it’s definitely the former. Here are spots to get outside, disconnect, and touch some grass.

With 600 parks, Chicago is living up to its Latin motto “Urbs in Horto,” or “City in a Garden”. Some of our favorite sites are 

, where Mt. Bridgeport is great for flying kites, and 

, where lots of Lincoln Square families are out playing or celebrating birthdays.

Chicago has 26 miles of open lakefront, which means you can see birds at 

 in the afternoon. Plus, it’s not Lake Michigan or bust. Off Lake Calumet, 

, on the North Branch of the Chicago River, offers hiking, picnicking, and more.

 in Pilsen is a community hub for folks who want to do everything from picking their own produce to participating in a sound bath. In Englewood, the 

Conservatories Aren’t Just for the Winter

Tell us not we’re not alone in wishing we could bottle the air at 

? Find a bench, take a deep breath, and slow down.

 in Glencoe. Clear your head on paths in the west and north suburbs.

 at the Art Institute. And when you’re ready to reimmerse yourself in city life, ease back in with 

O’Keefe’s “My New Yorks” collection

It's a busy news week — get outside, disconnect, and touch some grass.