The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A group of six mourning doves perched on bare tree branches.
Mourning doves named for their somber, sorrowful song
11/18/2024Mourning doves aren't named for the time of day. Instead, they are called mourning doves because of their sad song. -
A cottontail rabbit sitting in the grass with sunlight in the background.
Quiz: How much do you know about rabbits?
11/15/2024Rabbits are one of the most common animals we see in just about any open space, from the forest preserve to our yards and neighborhoods.
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A striped skunk walking in the grass.
Five fun facts about those stinky skunks
11/8/2024You might know a skunk on sight or smell, but there's probably plenty you don't know as well. Here's your chance to learn all about them.
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Two sandhill cranes standing in grasses and other vegetation facing in opposite directions.
Quiz: How sharp are you when it comes to sandhill cranes?
11/5/2024It's that time of year when you'll likely hear sandhill cranes overhead, and possibly see them. But do you know anything about them?
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A flying squirrel gliding through the air toward a tree.
Flying squirrels? More like gliding squirrels
11/4/2024You're probably familiar with gray squirrels and fox squirrels, but probably not southern flying squirrels. These nocturnal critters aren't often encountered, and their name is a bit of a misnomer, since they glide rather than fly.
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A bat hanging upside down in a cave.
Nature curiosity: What is white-nose syndrome?
11/4/2024Since 2006, millions of bats have died of a fungal infection called white-nose syndrome. Further loses could be dire for an animal that is essential to our food supply and our ecosystems.
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A cluster of nine stump puffballs growing on a fallen log with fallen leaves in the background.
Puffballs are one mushroom that can be hard to resist
10/28/2024It can be hard to resist the urge to give puffballs a little push, releasing their millions of spores into the air.
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A red-tailed hawk in flight under a clear blue sky.
Quiz: What's your red-tailed hawk IQ?
10/28/2024Find out by answering these 10 questions.
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A closeup of a female wolf spider with spiderlings on her back.
Quiz: What's your wolf spider IQ?
10/23/2024Test your knowledge on these arachnids with this 10-question quiz.
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Milkweed pods with seeds in the silky floss.
The time is now to sow native seeds for next summer's blooms
10/21/2024It's not too early to start thinking about next year's flower gardens. In fact, if you're thinking about adding more native plants to your landscape, now is the time to sow the seeds so they germinate come spring.
Current Headlines
Fire's role in nature: Join us to understand benefits of prescribed burns
If you've seen prescribed burns or heard about them and wonder why the Forest Preserve uses fire on its land, sign up for the Why We Burn program scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. Registration is required by Thursday, Jan. 30.
Forest Preserve administration center to close for MLK holiday
In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20.