The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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Great blue heron in the water on the hunt
Things we love: Those gangling great blue herons
3/19/2020Birds in Will County come in all shapes, sizes and colors, but it doesn't get any better than spotting a great blue heron gliding over a preserve or patiently stalking its prey on the ground.
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Spring peeper frog on a branch
Creature feature: The season-announcing spring peeper
3/18/2020Soon, spring peepers will be calling out in the night, letting us know spring has arrived.
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A mosquito biting a person's arm
A world without mosquitoes? It's not as great an idea as it may seem
3/11/2020A world without mosquitoes might sound nice, but removing one species from its habitat can have far-ranging and devastating consequences.
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A queen snake slithering on a leafy branch
What's the difference?: Reptile vs. amphibian
3/8/2020Is a snake a reptile or an amphibian? How about a frog? These two classes of animals have some similarities, but some key characteristics also set them apart.
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Green moss growing on the base of a tree
Myth buster: Moss doesn't only grow on the north side of trees
2/28/2020If you rely on the myth that moss only grows on the north side of trees to guide you through a forest, you're likely to get lost.
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A man hiking on an ice covered path
Nature curiosity: Why is ice so slippery?
2/28/2020Icy is slippery; it's one of those things people just know to be true, like water being wet. But the science behind this fact has only recently become well understood.
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A badger on the forest floor
Creature feature: American badgers are digging machines
2/21/2020The American badger isn't as well-known as many of the other mammals that call Will County home, but these fascinating creatures are exceptional diggers that are known to work alongside coyotes to hunt.
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A white-breasted nuthatch hanging from a feeder while eating
Don't feed the wildlife? What about the birds?
2/13/2020Don't feed the animals. We hear it all the time. Yet many of us make a habit of feeding wild birds. Why are birds any different than other wildlife?
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Baby opossums on their mother's back
Nature curiosity: Why do marsupials have pouches?
2/12/2020For marsupials, only adult females have pouches, and they serve an important role in the reproductive process.
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Scenic view of a wood bridge at McKinley Woods
What's the difference?: Woods vs. forest
2/6/2020A walk in the woods or a walk in the forest? Is there even a difference?
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.