The Buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
A green frog on the left and a bullfrog on the right.
What's the difference?: Green frog vs. bullfrog
8/31/2023Read moreCan you tell a bullfrog from a green frog? Here are a few clues to help tell these two similar frog species apart.
-
Feet in hiking boot walking along a natural surface trail.
Earbuds out for the latest fitness trend: Silent walking gaining traction
8/30/2023Read moreKeeping up with the latest fitness trends? Then put your earbuds away and enjoy the silence on your next walk.
-
A person standing on a wooden bridge with a lake in the background.
Preserves We Love: Lake Chaminwood, for its transformation to tranquility
8/29/2023Read moreDirector of planning and land preservation Colleen Novander tells us why she loves Lake Chaminwood Preserve.
-
A man standing in front of a courtyard full of hanging hummingbird feeders.
Meet a Naturalist: Bob Bryerton, a naturalist from his earliest days
8/28/2023Read moreMeet Bob Bryerton, the program coordinator at Plum Creek Nature Center and Monee Reservoir.
-
A woman standing in a prairie
Preserves We Love: Kankakee Sands, for its parallels to parenthood
8/24/2023Read moreRestoration program coordinator Juli Mason tells us why she loves Kankakee Sands Preserve.
-
A differential grasshopper on a leaf.
Hop to it with these five grasshopper facts
8/22/2023Read moreGrasshoppers are one of our more familiar insects, and this is your chance to learn all about them.
-
A reddish-pink water lily in bloom, next to a whitish-yellow American lotus in bloom.
What's the difference?: Water lily vs. American lotus
8/15/2023Read moreNot all those big green leaves growing on the water's surface are lily pads. American lotus can also be found in Illinois waterways. Learn to tell the difference between these two plants.
-
A person standing next to a bridge on a trail.
Preserves We Love: McKinley Woods, because there's something for everyone
8/14/2023Read moreGuest services associate Kylee Beckwith tells us why she loves McKinley Woods — Frederick's Grove.
-
An American coot standing on a log over the water.
Odd duck out: Coots share space with ducks, but aren't closely related
8/8/2023Read moreIs that a funny-looking duck or a chicken you saw by the water? It might be neither. American coots are a common sight by our waterways during breeding season, but they might have you doing a double take.
-
A person standing along a dirt trail in a forest.
Preserves We Love: Raccoon Grove, for its fairy-tale feel
8/3/2023Read moreInterpretive naturalist Heather Van Zyl tells us why she loves Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve.
Current Headlines
Don't hibernate, recreate this winter!
The Forest Preserve District offers a variety of recreational opportunities in winter including hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. With more than 135 miles of trails, 40 preserves, two sled hills and six dog parks, there are many ways to stay active.
December will be a month to 'remember' for Take It Outside Challenge participants
The theme for the final month of the yearlong Take It Outside Challenge is December to Remember. Participants will have to remember where certain preserve sites are located to rack up points. The challenge ends Dec. 31.