Isle a la Cache Museum/Preserve

07/05/2025

Join Illinois’ most pre-eminent bird man as he recalls the history of the Audubon Society and the evolution of bird watching as it grew from a hobby to a scientific discipline. In this program, Brian “Fox” Ellis becomes Robert Ridgway, who helped to refine systematics and evolutionary theory, redefining the relationships between species, subspecies and geography.

Participants are invited to discuss and plan direct actions to improve the ecological health of their community. They will be given tools to become citizen scientists and encouraged to use art as part of their appreciation of birds and Illinois ecology.

Robert Ridgway: When Amateur Bird Watching Became a Rigorous Science
When: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12
Where: Isle a la Cache Museum

7/12/2025: Join Illinois’ most pre-eminent bird man as he recalls the history of the Audubon Society and the evolution of bird watching as it grew from a hobby to a scientific discipline. 

07/04/2025

Enjoy a bird hike around the grounds of Isle a la Cache led by renowned author, storyteller, historian and naturalist Brian "Fox" Ellis. Isle a la Cache includes varied habitats, so there is no telling what we might see.

Bird Hike at Isle a la Cache
When: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12
Where: Isle a la Cache Museum

7/12/2025: Join Brian “Fox” Ellis on a bird hike through Isle a la Cache Preserve, where there is a wonderful mix of forest-dwelling songbirds and river-related water birds. 

07/03/2025

Dip, dip hooray! See what lives in the waters around Isle a Cache when you join us for dip netting as part of our summer Discovery Isle program series. Participants will use nets and scopes to get a closer look at some of the creatures living in our aquatic habitats.

Discovery Isle: Dip Netting!
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 10
Where: Isle a la Cache Museum

7/10/2025: Grab a dip net and check out what’s living in the water at Isle a la Cache.

07/01/2025

Did you know Isle a la Cache is a popular spot for water recreation? Visitors can use the preserve’s canoe and kayak launch to access the river, and shoreline fishing is permitted for anglers who adhere to state and Forest Preserve fishing regulations.

Visitors can learn about the area’s cultural and natural history, with a focus on what life was like in the region in the 1750s.

06/27/2025

Did you know? A group of turkey vultures is called a committee? It might sound like they’re about to make policy decisions, but when turkey vultures gather on the ground or in trees, they’re known as a committee.

It’s one of several creative names used to describe groups of vultures, each tied to their behavior:

✅ In flight, they’re called a kettle..

✅ Feeding at a carcass, they’re known as a wake.

✅ Resting or roosting together, they form a committee.

So next time you see a group of these large, bald-headed scavengers sitting together, you’re witnessing a committee in session.

(Photo courtesy of Jonathan M Catigano)

Turkey vultures are raptors just like eagles and hawks, but there are a few things that set them apart.

06/21/2025

Spend some time touring the Isle a la Cache campus to learn about our region's long and storied history at our Museum Campus Day. The museum's Trader's Cabin and Native American longhouse will be open for viewing, and you can explore the museum exhibits as well. Admission to Isle a la Cache Museum is always free!

Museum Campus Day
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28
Where: Isle a la Cache Museum

6/28/2025: Visit Isle a la Cache Museum to explore the buildings on the campus and learn about the French fur traders and Potawatomi who once called this area home.

06/19/2025

How do beavers build their dens? How do bird nests stay together? Learn all about these animal architects in our drop-in Discovery Isle program and let local wildlife inspire your with their building skills.

Discovery Isle: Animal Architects
When: 1 to 3 p.m Thursday, June 26
Where: Isle a la Cache Museum

6/26/2025: Come out to Isle a la Cache and discover just how some of our local wildlife build and use their homes.

06/17/2025

Killdeer are a common bird all across the United States, often heard before they are seen because of their loud, repetitive call. These birds are ground nesters, and they've developed a unique way to keep intruders away from their nests. When people or animals walk toward their nests, killdeer will fake a wing injury, calling out and displaying the "injured" wing to draw them away from the eggs so they don't get trampled.

One of most common birds in North America, the killdeer has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to protecting its nest from potential threats. 

06/12/2025

There will be something fun for everyone!

6/14/2025: Get a head start on celebrating Pollinator Week at this family-friendly event where you can learn about the insects and animals that perform the important task of pollinating plants.

06/10/2025

Pollinator Party is sponsored by The Nature Foundation of Will County with funding from Citgo Petroleum Corporation. Native plant sale partners include The Nature Foundation and Nicor Gas.

Pollinator Party returns to Isle a la Cache Museum on Saturday, June 14, with live animals, crafts, food trucks, a native plant sale, vendors and more. The free event celebrates pollinators with activities for all ages.

06/09/2025

Some of the summer prizes include family and half-day rental prize packs from Monee Reservoir, Wild Birds Unlimited prize bundles, weekly T-shirt giveaways and gift cards from local businesses.

Larger prizes – including a Fitbit, picnic pack, walking poles, a kayak, CamelBak hydration pack and Yeti cooler – have been generously provided by The Nature Foundation of Will County. More than 30 local businesses and organizations also have donated items and gift cards for the challenge.

Get ready to roam – the summer Be a Trailblazer challenge drops June 5 with new missions, hidden treasures and big-time prizes. Explore preserves, enjoy nature and maybe score a kayak or Yeti cooler along the way.

06/08/2025

Did you know? Pollinators are nature’s powerhouse! From the buzzing bees to fluttering butterflies, pollinators are essential to our everyday lives. These tiny creatures help fertilize flowers, leading to the fruits, vegetables and seeds we rely on. In fact, 1 out of every 3 bites of food you eat exists because of pollinators!

Let’s give a big THANK YOU by celebrating their role in nature during our Pollinator Party on June 14! Get the details >>> https://tinyurl.com/4h2eenm3.