Riverview Farmstead Preserve

10/18/2026

Let's learn how muskrats got their name?

10/11/2026

As temperatures drop, you may notice some uninvited guests looking for a cozy place to spend the winter: stink bugs!

Brown marmorated stink bugs are an invasive species that overwinter as adults, often sneak into homes through cracks and crevices. They don’t bite or sting, but they do live up to their name. When threatened or crushed, they release a foul-smelling chemical as a defense.

If you spot one indoors, resist the urge to squish it! Gently remove it instead. To keep stink bugs out, seal cracks around doors, windows and your home’s foundation and make sure vents and chimneys have protective screens.

(Photo via Shutterstock)

With summerlike temperatures on the way out, it's the time of year when stink bugs start making their way into our homes. Resist the urge to stomp on or squish them or you'll quickly learn how these insects got their name.

10/04/2026

Ever wonder how spiders make those incredible webs? Their silk starts as a liquid inside specialized glands before passing through tiny structures called spinnerets and hardening into strong, flexible fibers.

Spiders can produce several types of silk, using it for webs, nests, egg sacs, prey capture and even safety lines. Stronger than many natural and man-made fibers, spider silk is one of nature’s most remarkable materials!

(Photo Courtesy of Irene DeTella)

Spider silk is stronger than any other fiber on Earth, but how do these eight-legged creatures make it? They are specially equipped for making silk, with glands and structures designed for just that purpose. 

10/01/2026

Check out our newest addition at Riverview Farmstead Preserve, which will help us tell the history of the Clow family that once called this farm home.

This walking wheel as well as a yarn wood winder was donated by Jeff Collins, the great-great nephew of Thomas Clow. Jeff and his brother, Jim Collins, have preserved many family heirlooms and are happy that the Forest Preserve District is helping preserve and share the Clow family legacy and this is a great addition to the collection at Riverview Farmstead.

This wheel is a large, hand-cranked antique walking wheel used to rapidly spin short fivers such as cotton and wool. Unlike more modern spinning wheels, a walking wheel does not have a foot pedal, but instead, the spinner turns the large wheel with one hand while drafting the fiber with the other.

The walking wheel was on the original Clow homestead farm that was up the road from Riverview Farmstead. Thomas Clow, who lived at Riverview Farmstead, helped make it with his brother, James. This piece dates back to approximately 1850-1860.

In addition to the walking wheel and wool yarn winder, Jeff has donated more than 350 Clow family photographs, as well as a wooden box with milk paint made by James Clow that was also originally on the Clow family homestead.

(Photo courtesy of Sara Russell)
(Close up photos by Anthony Schalk)

09/27/2026

Eastern fox snakes get confused with many other snakes. Watch to learn how to differentiate between them to see if you met an Eastern fox snake or not.

09/20/2026

Spiders and their webs are becoming more noticeable around the preserves! Many spiders reach adulthood in late summer and early fall, making this a great time to spot orb weavers and their impressive webs.

While spiders may give us a fright, they help control pest insects like flies and mosquitoes. Next time you see one, admire it from a distance and let it be!

(Photo by Chad M***a)

Around this time, spiders seem to pop up everywhere, and so do their webs, including some impressive orb webs created by garden spiders.

09/19/2026

09/18/2026

What: Fall on the Farm
Where: Riverview Farmstead Preserve
When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free.

Yeah, we know the forecast isn't looking great for Saturday, but a little rain (or maybe more than a little) isn't going to stop some fun on the farm.

Tour the mid-1800s limestone house and historic red barn; meet friendly animals in the petting zoo; and try farmstead chores like collecting eggs, washing clothes by hand, playing in the corn, and pretending to run a farm stand. You can even make butter from cream. Explore tractors and antique farm equipment up close while learning how they work.

Learn more: https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/headlines/news/riverview-farmstead-comes-alive-for-fall-on-the-farm.

09/13/2026

A rare visitor has made its way to Will County!

A swallow-tailed kite was spotted in Crete during fall migration, marking only the second reported sighting of this species in Will County.

These striking black-and-white raptors spend most of their time in flight and are known for their incredible aerial acrobatics. This juvenile may have wandered off course during its first migration south.

Keep your eyes to the sky. You never know what rare visitor you might spot!

(Photo courtesy of Kara Senders Morales)

Fall bird migration is in full swing and that means we can get some rarely-seen birds in the area and, in this case, it's a swallow-tailed kite that has been spotted in the eastern part of Will County.

09/09/2026

Looking for something to do on September 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.?

Come enjoy Fall on the Farm at Riverview Farmstead for an afternoon filled with family-friendly fun!

Experience tasty treats, a bounce house, meet the farm animals, try traditional farm chores, and enjoy live bluegrass music from Rochambeau!

There’s something for everyone to enjoy, so bring the whole family and celebrate the season with us!

(Photo by Anthony Schalk)

The free, all-ages event mixes crafts, music, food and seasonal fun.