Riverview Farmstead Preserve

05/31/2026

Woodchucks may not inspire awe like an eagle or caution like a snake, but they have a charm all their own.

Whether they are basking in the sun outside their burrows or munching on vegetation, these chunky little hibernators always seem perfectly content with life, and that is enough to make anyone smile.

Photographing wildlife can be an adventure, but the woodchuck is an easy subject.

05/24/2026

Blue-winged teals are small migratory ducks that pass through our wetlands during their seasonal journeys across North America.

These dabbling ducks feed along the water’s surface, tipping forward to reach aquatic plants, insects and seeds. Despite their size, they play an important role in balancing wetland ecosystems and controlling both plant and insect populations.

If you spot a quick flash of blue in flight, you might just be seeing one of these seasonal visitors passing through.

Blue-winged teals are migratory ducks, one of the last to arrive here each spring and one of the first to head south each fall. 

05/17/2026

Learn about the difference of white-tailed deer and Eastern phoebe and how they use their tails to communicate.

05/10/2026

Not all turtles have hard shells.

The eastern spiny softshell turtle has a flat, leathery shell and a long, snorkel-like nose, making it perfectly adapted for life in the water. Found in rivers and lakes across Illinois, these fast, agile turtles spend much of their time buried in sand or mud, waiting to ambush prey.

Their unique look and behavior make them one of the most fascinating aquatic reptiles to spot.

Eastern spiny softshell turtles aren't as large as snapping turtles, but they are one of the biggest freshwater turtles in the United States.

05/03/2026

Toads vs. frogs: All toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads. Toads usually have dry, bumpy skin, while frogs are smooth and moist. That bumpy skin sparked the myth about warts, but it is not true. Another clue is how they move. Frogs leap, while toads take shorter hops because of their shorter legs.

What looks a lot like a frog but doesn't jump like a frog or eat like a frog? A toad. Learn what makes toads unique and what separates them from frogs. 

04/26/2026

Exciting progress at Riverview Farmstead Preserve!

The Settlement House is getting important upgrades to improve safety and protect the building. A new brick paver floor is being installed to replace the old dirt floor, which had been damaged by burrowing animals and left uneven and unstable.

A concrete apron is also being added at the front entrance, along with a steel fence around the building to help prevent future damage.

These improvements will create a safer, more stable space for visitors and allow the District to display historic farm equipment. When open for programs, guests will be able to step inside and explore this building, once used by the Clow family in the 1800s.

The 388-acre Riverview Farmstead Preserve was acquired between 1994 and 2012. The preserve is part of the DuPage River preservation system, which conserves more than 1,500 acres.

04/24/2026

It's time to play another round of name that tree!

04/19/2026

How good is your knowledge on flowers? Are you able to name that flower? Let us know if you can in the comments!

04/12/2026

Seagulls are ground nesters, building shallow depressions for their eggs. Local favorites, ring-billed gulls and herring gulls, choose slightly different spots: ring-billed gulls prefer sandy, rocky, or soil surfaces near freshwater, often hidden by vegetation, while herring gulls favor soft soil or sand, usually next to rocks or logs for wind protection. Despite their differences, both species carefully craft their nests right on the ground.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is a government organization in Illinois focusing on land preservation and restoration, outdoor recreation, and environmental education.

04/02/2026

Learn about Riverview Farmstead's origins as the Clow family's 200-acre farm on this naturalist-led tour. Get a glimpse of life on an 1800s farmstead while exploring the farmhouse and barns.

Riverview Farmstead Tour
When: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Where: Riverview Farmstead Preserve
Registration required.

4/11/2026: Discover three generations of the Clow family and their successful efforts to grow “Riverview” from its first house into a 200-acre commercial farm.