The Buzz

Algae are always present in water, but in certain conditions they reproduce quickly, resulting in potentially harmful algal blooms.

Find out by answering these 10 questions.

Balloons can wreak havoc on wildlife and the environment if not used and disposed of properly, so think twice before including them in your party decor. 

Common snapping turtle or alligator snapping turtle? In Will County, the answer is easy.

Brush up on butterflies with these five fascinating facts.

If your yard is abuzz with wildlife, see if it meets the criteria to become a certified wildlife habitat.

Blue-winged teals are migratory ducks, one of the last to arrive here each spring and one of the first to head south each fall. 

You don't need a big yard — or any yard at all — to add native plants to your outdoor space. A small garden plot or even a container garden are more than enough to attract pollinators and other creatures.

Adding a rain garden to your yard can help prevent flooding and also filter pollutants and chemicals out of the water supply.

Baltimore orioles are one of the most anticipated birds each spring. Learn more about them with these five fun facts.

Some birds can be easily attracted to your yard by adding a birdhouse nearby.

Most spiders have eight eyes, but not all spiders have good vision.

Skip the middleman and grow plants that birds will eat seeds and fruit from rather than filling your feeders with store-bought seed.

When is a forest preserve something more? State nature preserves are specially designated lands that protect a variety of high-quality natural areas as well as rare and endangered plants and animals. 

The bison herd in Wilmington just got a little larger. And cuter.