The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A bee on a purple flower
What's the difference?: Bee vs. hornet vs. wasp
8/12/2020Bee, wasp or hornet? Learn the differences among these stinging insects.
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Ruby-throated hummingbird at a feeder
Five fascinating facts about ruby-throated hummingbirds
7/31/2020The ruby-throated hummingbird is among the most beloved birds in Will County, and the more you know about them the more you will love them.
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Bats lined up in roof rafters
Myth buster: Bats aren't blind
7/30/2020Bats aren't blind — some can even see better than you — but they also don't need to rely on their vision to navigate in flight because they use echolocation.
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Belted kingfisher in shrubbery
Creature feature: The eye-catching belted kingfisher
7/24/2020The belted kingfisher is a common bird that lives across the entire United States, and they often catch the eye and the ear with their top-heavy appearance and loud, rattling calls.
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A bee on coneflower
Nature curiosity: Why do flowers smell good?
7/17/2020Next time you stop to smell the roses, or any other sweet-smelling flower for that matter, keep in mind that the fragrance isn't intended for you. Instead, the plants are trying to attract insects and birds to aid in pollination.
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A butterfly on a green leaf
What's the difference?: Butterfly vs. moth
7/7/2020Is that a moth or a butterfly? Learn the clues to help you tell the difference.
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Opossum hanging from tree limb with tail wrapped around it
Myth buster: Opossums don't really hang by their tails to sleep
7/2/2020Opossums are often depicted in cartoons as hanging upside down by their tails, but they aren't really able to do it for any length of time.
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Two river otters standing next to one another on land.
Creature feature: The playful river otter
7/1/2020River otters once nearly disappeared from Illinois, but these playful creatures have rebounded, thanks to a successful conservation program.
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A field view with dew on grass
Nature curiosity: Why are some mornings so dewy?
6/23/2020What does it mean when the grass is wet and dewy in the morning? Can it tell you anything about the weather to come?
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A tree burl that looks like a very big butt
Tree burls create optical illusions in the forest
6/15/2020If you've ever seen a monkey in a tree in an Illinois forest, chances are it was really a tree burl creating an optical illusion.
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.