University of Illinois System
Our CompassLocationsImpactPriorities & Initiatives

Wildlife

The gardens of The President’s House and the neighboring gardens of the Arboretum and Japan House attract an abundance of local wildlife. More than eleven species of butterflies have been observed in the area and countless other pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, moths and bats make their home here. On sunny days, it is not unusual to see six or more groundhogs grazing in the Backyard. This winter, a particularly attractive fox was seen patrolling the Kidney Beds and south walkway. In any sort of weather, you will also find the Killeens’ not-so-wild Golden Retriever, Byron, chasing tennis balls all the way to the back fenceline.

Video of a chipmunk barking in an evergreen tree in the front of The President's House

Photo of fox footprints in the snow in the Backyard of The President's House
Photo of a fox sitting on a brick wall in the Backyard of The President's House
Close-up photo of a fox sitting on a brick wall in the Backyard of The President's House
Photo of cardinals in a tree during winter in the Backyard of The President's House
Close-up photo of a cardinal in a tree on the west side of The President's House
Photo of caterpillars on a dill plant in the Backyard of The President's House
Close-up photo of a caterpillar on a dill plant in the Backyard of The President's House
Close-up photo of a monarch butterfly in the Family Vegetable Garden at The President's House
Photo of a hummingbird sitting in a tree on the side of The President's House
Photo of a hummingbird among coleus plants near The President's House
Photo of a hairy woodpecker near The President's House
Photo of a bluejay and woodpecker near each other at The President's House
Photo of a chipmunk near the chiller at The President's House
Close-up photo of a squirrel in an evergreen tree near The President's House
Close-up photo of a squirrel in a tree on the west side of The President's House
Photo of a groundhog in the Backyard of The President's House
Close-up photo of a groundhog on the south walkway of The President's House
Photo of a groundhog sunning on a rock in the Backyard of The President's House
Photo of a nesting pair of ducks on the driveway of The President's House
Photo of a turtle among fallen pine needles at The President's House
Photo of three deer along the fenceline at The President's House
Photo of the Killeen family's golden retriever, Byron, in the Backyard of The President's House
Close-up photo of the Killeen family's golden retriever, Byron