The buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
A Blanding's turtle on the ground.
Creature feature: The endangered Blanding's turtle
10/7/2021Turtles are a common sight in and around our waterways, but the state-endangered Blanding's turtle isn't seen as often as the others.
-
A white mouse surrounded by mouse traps.
Buyer beware: Mouse traps used outdoors often injure other wildlife
9/30/2021If not used properly, many popular rodent control measures can be dangerous for other wildlife.
-
An opossum on a log.
Five fun facts about so-ugly-they're-cute opossums
9/24/2021From their appearance to their behaviors, opossums are unique in many ways.
-
A river under a blue sky with puffy clouds.
What's the difference?: River vs. stream vs. creek
9/23/2021What's the difference between a river, a creek and a stream? When it comes right down to it, not much at all.
-
A sweat bee on a flower.
No need to sweat non-aggressive sweat bees or lookalike hover flies
9/17/2021Sweat bees and hover flies are often confused for both one another and for other bees. Neither poses any threat, however, and both are essential insects.
-
A jumping worm on wood.
Invasion of the jumping worms: They're a big threat to soil quality
9/16/2021Invasion of the jumping worms isn't the next box-office thriller. These invasive worms are becoming widespread in Illinois, destroying the soil quality wherever they are.
-
Maple leaves in the sunlight.
Nature curiosity: Why do leaves flip before it rains?
9/14/2021Do leaves tell us when it's going to rain? They can, but as with most weather forecasts, there are no guarantees.
-
A colorful sunset.
The science behind those picture-perfect sunsets
9/10/2021A picture-perfect sunset is far from a guarantee, and a lot of factors play into whether the sun's inevitable slip below the horizon each day will take your breath away.
-
A monarch chrysalis.
What's the difference?: Chrysalis vs. cocoon
9/3/2021A chrysalis and a cocoon are not one and the same. Learn the differences between them, starting with which insect uses which.
-
Prairie wildflowers in a field.
Five facts about America's once vast prairie
8/27/2021America's prairies have long been celebrated, but they've mostly disappeared.
Current Headlines
Be a Trailblazer turns outdoor fun into a family affair
Liz Lyons of New Lenox has turned the Forest Preserve District’s Be a Trailblazer challenge into a fun-filled family tradition. From dancing in the rain to spotting tiny critters on the trail, challenge missions have become cherished memories.
Wild Science: Rare mussel search in Will County aids DuPage restocking effort
Forest preserve staff from Will and DuPage counties recently searched a Will County creek for rare mussels to support a native species restoration project. The collaboration could help reintroduce the ellipse mussel to DuPage waterways, where it has disappeared.