The buzz

All Buzz Articles

  • A DeKay's brown snake on green and brown grasses.

    Nature curiosity: How do snakes slither?

    10/11/2024

    How do snakes slither? It turns out it depends on the snake and several other factors. 

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  • An eastern red bat hanging upside down from an evergreen branch.

    Quiz: Are you brilliant when it comes to bats?

    10/10/2024

    Can you ace the quiz?

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  • The fall color display at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve

    Five fun facts about the season's much-anticipated color show

    10/10/2024

    Taking in the fall foliage has become such a thing that it's even generated its own term — leaf peeping. Here's your chance to learn more about the dazzling display.

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  • A squirrel eating a pumpkin on a porch.

    Don't pitch your pumpkins after Halloween; put them to good use instead

    10/9/2024

    Pumpkins are popping up everywhere these days, but once Halloween is over, don't just pitch your pumpkins. You can put them to good use instead.

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  • A group of reddish-brown ants creating a bridge from one leaf to another.

    Quiz: Are you an ant expert?

    10/4/2024

    Find out by answering these 10 questions.

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  • A wolf spider on the rocky ground.

    Falsely accused: It's not wolf spiders invading your home each fall

    10/3/2024

    Wolf spiders tend to get a bad rap in autumn for invading your house as the weather cools, but they are mostly being falsely accused. 

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  • Purple finch on the left and house finch on the right.

    What's the difference?: House finch vs. purple finch

    10/3/2024

    House finch or purple finch? Learn to tell the difference between these similar-looking birds. 

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  • A fake spider in fake spiderwebs on a metal fence.

    Scary situation: Fake spiderwebs a real fright for wildlife

    10/2/2024

    Fake spiderwebs are a popular Halloween decoration, but they can be a death trap for wildlife.

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  • A close up view of a stink bug.

    Step carefully: Cooler weather sends stink bugs indoors

    10/1/2024

    With summerlike temperatures on the way out, it's the time of year when stink bugs start making their way into our homes. Resist the urge to stomp on or squish them or you'll quickly learn how these insects got their name.

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  • Two sandhill cranes wading in shallow water.

    Fall bird migration: Here's a look at who is winging their way south

    9/30/2024

    Migratory birds are heading south, and here's when we can expect to see some of our favorites. 

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Current Headlines

Hidden Oaks Nature Center on schedule to reopen in early 2025

10/11/2024

Renovations are progressing at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook and the building is scheduled to reopen to the public in the first quarter of 2025. 

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‘Lost and Found’ old-growth forest, savanna exhibit opens Oct. 15 at Four Rivers

10/8/2024

The 'Lost and Found' exhibit opens Oct. 15 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center. It features photos that capture the grace and grandeur of what remains of the vast forests and savannas that once covered the eastern half of the United States. 

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