Celebrating the Gorgeous Wildlife of the Midwest for National Wildlife Day

Sep 4, 2025

Today is national wildlife day, and we’ll be highlighting some beautiful wildlife refuge areas, preserves, and ecosystems that you can visit. At each unique place you’ll have the opportunity to observe wildlife in its own habitat or learn about the preservation of endangered and threatened species. Here at Classic Auto Group, we love any chance to engage with our local community, and that even includes our natural wildlife and environments! We live, work, and play here just the same as local wildlife, and it’s important to us that we support and promote connection to our planet and green initiatives that preserve it.

Do you know the types of environments you can find right here in the Lake County area? This area’s ecosystems have included (both in the past and present(: northern bog and tundra, eastern deciduous woodlands, southern swamps, western prairie! The wide variety of environments and ecosystems makes the region one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Biodiversity is the variety of life in the world, a particular habitat or ecosystem, and it is essential for all living things. There are three levels of biodiversity: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity; without a wide variety of plants, microorganisms, and animals, our world and humans would suffer immensely as a whole. We rely on biodiversity to provide us with the clean air we breathe and the food we eat, making it even more important to preserve local ecosystems and natural resources

So, let’s take a look at these incredible places and learn more about our wildlife neighbors and appreciate the natural beauty of the Midwest. And of course, make sure you have your camera charged and at the ready so you can capture some incredible wildlife photography snaps of this beautiful area. If you’ve taken any nature photos at any of these sites, please feel free to share them with us. We’d love to see them!

Big River State Forest in Illinois

Covering 3,000+ acres of forest land, this features the remnants of a vast prairie and woodland border that once covered much of the state. You’ll find two endangered plants here: penstemon aka Bearded Tongue, and Patterson’s bindweed. Other plants include Indian Grass, June Grass, Prairie Bush Clover, Purple Prairie Clover, and Blazing Star just to name a few. Thanks to the Mississippi River, there is abundant wildlife including white-tailed deer, a variety of squirrels, rabbits, quail, bobcats, coyote, mink, muskrat, beaver, several varieties of waterfowl, river otters, frogs, turtles, and numerous fish.

Cache River State Natural Area in Illinois

This area covers more than 18,000 acres across 3 counties and has three different management units: Little Black Slough, Lower Cache River Swamps, and Glass Hill. Each of these distinct areas provides food, water, and shelter for a magnitude of diverse wildlife and plant species, with more than 100 endangered species included. Visitors can expect to spot abundant wildlife including migratory waterfowl, birds of prey including osprey and golden eagles, white-tailed deer, squirrels, gray and red foxes, opossums, skunks, minks, Indiana Bats, River Otters, tree frogs, southern leopard frogs bullfrogs, several varieties of fish including channel cats, bowfin, needlenose gar, pygmy sunfish, and cypress minnows.

TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Illinois

With 8.5 acres of protected property, this special rehabilitation refuge and Wildlife Center promotes and protects local wildlife. The aim of the center is to educate the local community through the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native wildlife and thus promote conservation and ecological restoration. Through the rescue and center, visitors can learn about the life and habits of local wildlife including birds, reptiles, mammals, and even insects, and learn about the importance of environmental protection. This facility does not receive governmental funding and is directly supported by the local community, and that’s part of what makes it so important! As community members, we can have the chance to learn about the local wildlife, and do our part in preserving it and protecting it for generations to come. With more than 40 years of hard work and dedication, this center and its talented staff and volunteers have saved hundreds of animals and helped make our communities richer and more vibrant. It makes a great trip with your family!

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa

Formerly known as Walnut Creek, this park was established in 1990 at the encouragement of Congressman Neal Edward Smith, for whom it is now named. This area is a special federal national wildlife refuge seeking to restore and preserve native tallgrass prairies and oak savanna ecosystems that once covered most of the state. Both staff and volunteers are working full-time to preserve, protect, and restore the biological diversity of the sedge meadows, prairies, and savannas as well as the local aquatic life while helping visitors engage with the local wildlife and ecosystems. There are numerous miles of nature trails open to the public for walking, hiking, dog walking, cycling, and photography. The park is home to a herd of approximately 60 American Bison and 20 elk in a specially designated 800-acre enclosure, numerous deer, rabbits, local and migratory birds, snakes, frogs, and more!

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin

Covering an area of almost 44,000 acres, this refuge is open year round for wildlife observation, photography, hiking, fishing and more. The ecosystems here include Savanna, Prairies, Wetlands, and Forests all intertwining thanks to the new boardwalks and special visitor’s center. With more than 230 bird species, this is a birder’s paradise! You’ll also be able to spot dragonflies, butterflies (including the endangered Karner Blue butterfly), wolves, otters, porcupines, turtles, bears, and more! Special photography programs are available the fourth Saturday of the month so you can live out your “Nat Geo” inspired dreams.