The Buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A side-by-side comparison of a European robin and an American robin both perched on tree branches.
What's the difference?: American robin vs. European robin
5/3/2024Read moreThe robins we are so familiar with are called robins because they reminded early European settlers of the robins they were familiar with from their home countries.
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In May, meteors will be streaking across the night sky and Mercury will be visible
4/30/2024Read moreIn May, make sure to make time to view the eta Aquariids meteor shower and see Mercury at its greatest western elongation.
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A cicada on a green leaf.
If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em: How to cook with cicadas
4/29/2024Read moreBillions or even trillions of cicadas are about to emerge after about 17 years underground, and you may be wondering what will happen to the bounty of bugs. Many animals will feast on the bugs, and you can safely sample them too.
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A person standing against a wooden fence with trees in the background.
Meet the recreation coordinator: Em Wilcher wants to help you connect with nature
4/27/2024Read moreMeet Em Wilcher, the Forest Preserve District's recreation coordinator.
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A green lawn dotted with dandelions.
Give the lawn mower a rest in May. Do it for the bees.
4/26/2024Read moreParticipating in No Mow May isn't just a way to cut down on your yardwork for a month. You'll be helping bees and other essential insects too.
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Can you identify these 15 birds? Take the test to find out
4/26/2024Read moreBirding can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be tricky to get those identifications right.
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A Baltimore oriole of a tree branch.
Migration watch: Orioles have landed in Will County
4/24/2024Read moreTime to stock up on oranges and grape jelly. Baltimore orioles are back in Will County for the season.
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A yellow-bellied sapsucker on a tree full of sap wells.
Holey moley: Yellow-bellied sapsuckers leave distinct clues of their presence
4/23/2024Read moreThe yellow-bellied sapsucker is the only woodpecker in the eastern United States that is fully migratory, so their time in northern Illinois can be fleeting. Look for them in the spring and fall as they migrate through our area.
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A periodical cicada on a tree branch.
Brooding about cicadas? Here's the reason for all the hype this year
4/22/2024Read moreTo not have heard the buzz about this year's cicada emergence you would have to have been where the cicadas themselves are right now — underground. Why all the hype? This year is the first time since 1803 that two broods of cicadas will have emerged in Illinois at the same time.
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Earth as seen from space.
Five must-know facts about our home planet Earth
4/17/2024Read moreYou can define Earth in many ways, but above all else it is home. Here is your chance to learn all about our home planet.
Current Headlines
All-terrain wheelchair opens up 'a whole new world' for nature exploration
The first person to test the new GRIT Freedom Chair at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center said she loved that she could travel over grass, roots and mud and feel secure while doing so. The wheelchair is available for public use at no cost.
Monthlong Migration Celebration lands at Four Rivers
Stop in at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in May to take part in fun bird migration activities. The special program lineup includes a Where the Feathers Meet the Flash photo contest.