By Alyssa Nyberg, Ecologist at Kankakee Sands Our August skies are aflutter with butterflies over the Kankakee Sands prairie. The nectar-rich flowers of the blazing stars, milkweeds and bonesets are decorated by the wings of a variety of butterflies, including the swallowtails. A fun (and sometimes challenging) part of being among so many butterflies isContinue reading “Whose tail is that?”
Author Archives: friendsofthesands
Summertime is Swimmin’ Time!
By Alyssa Nyberg, Ecologist at Kankakee Sands Summertime is swimming time in Indiana. Perhaps you enjoy swimming in an outdoor pool, creek or in one of our many Indiana lakes. Image swimming in a 36,000-acre lake! That was Beaver Lake, once the largest lake in Indiana. It was part of the 1-million-acre Grand Kankakee Marsh,Continue reading “Summertime is Swimmin’ Time!”
The Very Real Wilson’s Snipe
Indiana Nature Notes by Alyssa Nyberg, Ecologist at Kankakee Sands I grew up in rural Ohio and in my family, when a kid needed to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine, and to burn off some energy, they would be told to go outside for a ‘snipe hunt’ to search for snipe. OurContinue reading “The Very Real Wilson’s Snipe”
The Flying Checkerboard and Fire
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands Conrad Station Savanna Nature Preserve, located on the north end of Kankakee Sands, is an ideal place for a springtime walk. Not only will you be delighted by spring wildflowers, you will likely also get to see a flying checkerboard! Though many birds migrate back to IndianaContinue reading “The Flying Checkerboard and Fire”
That’s Golden
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands A golden eagle (Aquila chysaetos) was recently spotted soaring over the Kankakee Sands prairie, to which we say, “That’s Golden!” It’s awesome news because it reaffirms everything that we want Kankakee Sands to be – a home for those species who spend their whole lives here onContinue reading “That’s Golden”
Heading South for the Spring
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands Now that it’s February, we will be moving the Kankakee Sands bison herd from the north grazing pasture to the southern grazing pasture. At approximately 400 acres, the northern pasture provides adequate forage for several months, and then it is time to move them to our bisonContinue reading “Heading South for the Spring”
Owl Prowling at Kankakee Sands
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands The dark winter months can be a great time for owl prowling. Owls are nocturnal, which means that they are the most active feeding, vocalizing and moving about in the dark hours. With winter’s long nights and short days, it’s an ideal time to brush up yourContinue reading “Owl Prowling at Kankakee Sands”
Squirrel!
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands If you thought that squirrels were a distraction for dogs, you should see the Kankakee Sands Staff when someone says, “squirrel!” Whenever we think we see one of the recently-released Franklin’s ground squirrels (Poliocitellus franklinii) on the prairie, it’s worth stopping in our tracks to confirm. (NoteContinue reading “Squirrel!”
Celebrating the Magnificent Bison
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands This October marks the ninth year that bison have graced and grazed our Kankakee Sands prairies. Even after nine years, it’s still a thrill to see them, isn’t it?! Our Kankakee Sands bison heard arrived in 2016, the same year as Indiana’s bicentennial. We like to jokeContinue reading “Celebrating the Magnificent Bison”
Learn, work, get credit, have fun!
By Alyssa Nyberg, Restoration Ecologist at Kankakee Sands It’s September, and it’s back-to-school time for many students and families. My own kids are headed back to school, and as a mentor for our Student Conservation Internship team, I am going back to school, too! I am thrilled to be a part of the Student ConservationContinue reading “Learn, work, get credit, have fun!”
Friends of the Sands 