The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A fawn standing in tall vegetation.
Hey folks, nature is not a petting zoo. Leave the animals alone
4/11/2021The wildlife you see in the preserves and elsewhere is just that — wild. The preserves aren't petting zoos, and people should not touch or otherwise handle animals they encounter.
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An indigo bunting on a branch.
Head outside and listen to nature. It's good for you, a new study shows
4/9/2021What's that sound? If it's the sounds of nature, it's good for your health, according to a new study.
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Dandelions growing in the grass.
Five facts about those delightful dandelions
4/1/2021The dandelion is probably the most hated plant in America, but it actually is an important part of the landscape.
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A young skunk on a log.
The animal kingdom is full of stinkers
3/29/2021Skunks are certainly the most famous stinkers in the animal kingdom, but they are far from the only ones.
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A brown recluse spider.
What's the difference?: Poisonous vs. venomous
3/25/2021Are animals poisonous or venomous? They can be one or the other, but not usually both. It all has to do with how they deliver their toxins.
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A sprout growing up from the soil.
Nature curiosity: Where does dirt come from?
3/23/2021The dirt on dirt — what's in it, where it comes from and why you should call it soil instead.
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Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms growing on the ground.
Five fabulous facts about fungi
3/15/2021The world of fungus is a literal kingdom, with tens of thousands of species including far more than the familiar mushrooms.
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A Canada goose and goslings eating bread.
Don't feed ducks and geese bread; you're making them sick
3/4/2021Next time you're at a local pond, resist the urge to feed the ducks and geese. They don't need our help, and we are actually making them sick.
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A cedar waxwing eating fruit from a snow-covered tree.
Drunk birds? It does happen from time to time
3/1/2021It's not exactly a common occurrence, but birds do get drunk, especially at this time of year when the fruit they eat becomes fermented.
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A great horned owl.
Five things to know about great horned owls, the quintessential owl
2/18/2021Great horned owls are one of our most beloved creatures of the night. Here are some things you might not know about them.
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.