The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A monarch on a wildflower.
The monarchs are disappearing, but here's how you can help
6/21/2021Monarch populations continue to plummet, but there are things you can do to help.
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Mosquitoes swarming in the air.
Hate mosquitoes? Try these tricks to keep the buggers at bay
6/18/2021From herb gardens to bug repellents to Skrillex music, here's a primer to stop mosquitoes from ruining your time outside.
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An algae bloom.
Nature curiosity: What is an algal bloom?
6/17/2021Algae are always present in water, but in certain conditions they reproduce quickly, resulting in potentially harmful algal blooms.
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An alligator snapping turtle and a common snapping turtle side by side.
What's the difference?: Common snapping turtle vs. alligator snapping turtle
6/9/2021Common snapping turtle or alligator snapping turtle? In Will County, the answer is easy.
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A red-spotted admiral butterfly on a leaf.
Five things about those beautiful butterflies
6/3/2021Brush up on butterflies with these five fascinating facts.
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A raccoon peering out from a tree cavity.
Is your yard a hotspot for local wildlife? Get it certified
6/2/2021If your yard is abuzz with wildlife, see if it meets the criteria to become a certified wildlife habitat.
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A blue-winged teal in flight.
Creature feature: The blue-winged teal
5/28/2021Blue-winged teals are migratory ducks, one of the last to arrive here each spring and one of the first to head south each fall.
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A purple coneflower growing in a container.
No space? No problem. Small spaces still work for native plants
5/25/2021You 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.
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Native wildflowers include black-eyed Susans.
Let it rain: How rain gardens can help keep our water clean
5/19/2021Adding a rain garden to your yard can help prevent flooding and also filter pollutants and chemicals out of the water supply.
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A Baltimore oriole on a branch.
Five things to know about our beloved Baltimore orioles
5/13/2021Baltimore orioles are one of the most anticipated birds each spring. Learn more about them with these five fun facts.
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.