How do you know what mussels inhabit a stream? You get in the water and dig with your hands. And knowing what mussels are there provides scientists with important clues about the overall health of a waterway.

Do you value opportunities to catch and eat fish? Swim in ponds or rivers? Opportunities to do these things depend on people to stand up for clean water.

How do you count frogs and toads? Tag along with Rob as he joins a local science teacher to hear what's happening at the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve one night in early July.

Thanks to a friend who’s more observant than me, I recently discovered a new species of reptile in my own backyard, a plains garter snake. Maybe I should clarify by saying I mean the plains garter snake was “new” to me, not new to science or the wider world.