The Buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
A person posing for a photo with a forest as the backdrop.
Meet a Naturalist: Michelle Cipiti, fulfilling a dream
3/26/2024Read moreMeet Michelle Cipiti, an interpretive naturalist at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
-
Common snowdrops peeking up from the ground.
Protect the overwintering insects by resisting urge to start your garden cleanup now
3/25/2024Read moreStep away from the rake; it's too early to start your spring yard cleanup.
-
silhouette of solar eclipse
Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies for April 8 total solar eclipse
3/24/2024Read moreThe best sky-watching events are usually at night, but April's best show comes mid-day in the form of a total solar eclipse on April 8.
-
A common loon on a lake.
Happening now: Common loons are passing through. Have you seen one on a local waterway?
3/22/2024Read moreHave you spotted a common loon in a local waterway? Their time here will be brief.
-
A northern flicker standing in the grass.
Northern flickers buck some common woodpecker trends
3/20/2024Read moreNorthern flickers look a little different than most of our local woodpecker species, and we see them on the ground much more than you might expect for a woodpecker.
-
A turtle on a log with another turtle smaller turtle on top of it.
In early spring, wetlands are abuzz with seasonal activity
3/19/2024Read moreAfter a long, quiet winter, our local wetlands are among the first places that begin to wake up, showing some of the earliest signs of spring.
-
A closeup of bluebell blossoms.
Five things you might not know about spring
3/18/2024Read moreWhen it comes to spring, there's so much to love. But there's also probably a lot you don't know about our most-anticipated season.
-
A spider in its web surrounded by small insects caught in the web.
March 14 is Save a Spider Day, so be a savior instead of a squisher
3/13/2024Read moreFor Save a Spider Day, here are five reasons you should appreciate these creatures instead of despising them or, even worse, squishing them.
-
A chorus frog with its throat outstretched.
Happening now: Chorus frogs are loudly seeking mates
3/13/2024Read moreIf you venture out into the preserves these days, there's a good chance you'll hear chorus frogs making a racket as they call out looking for a mate.
-
A ruby-throated hummingbird perched on the tip of a branch.
Migration watch: Hummingbirds have landed in the U.S.
3/12/2024Read moreFor those of you eagerly anticipating the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds, you can start your countdown until they arrive in your neck of the woods because these tiny birds are on the move and have landed in the U.S.
Current Headlines
Stock up on native species this spring with Foundation's online plant sale
Now is the time to start planning your spring native plant sale wish list for your yard and garden. The Nature Foundation of Will County's online spring plant sale runs from April 6 to April 27 with plant pickup dates on May 18 and 19. An in-person plant sale will be held on the plant pickup dates.
Forest Preserve sites host solar eclipse viewing parties
The Forest Preserve will host three solar eclipse viewing parties on April 8 and an educational eclipse weekend on April 6 and 7. Learn about this rare occurrence, which will not happen again until 2044, and view it safely, weather permitting.