The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A side-by-side comparison of a gray fox and a red fox.
What's the difference?: Red fox vs. gray fox
2/10/2025Illinois is home to two fox species, the red fox and the gray fox, and telling the difference between them isn't always as easy as looking at the color of their fur.
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A snowy owl standing on the snow-covered ground with snowy trees in the background.
Quiz: How savvy are you about snowy owls?
2/9/2025Take this quiz to see how much you know about this treasured species.
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A turtle with a muddy shell sitting on a log in the water.
Nature curiosity: Why and how do turtles breathe with their butts?
2/5/2025How do turtles breathe while they are underwater all winter? Through their butts, so to speak.
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Heavy snow falling on a snow-covered trail lined by trees.
What's the difference?: Blizzard vs. snowstorm
2/4/2025Snowstorms are often anticipated for days ahead of their arrival, but when does a snowstorm become a blizzard?
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Canada geese swimming in the water with steam rising up from the water.
Nature curiosity: What is the polar vortex?
2/4/2025When winter temperatures get really cold, the polar vortex is to blame. But what, exactly, is the polar vortex and why does it sometimes affect our weather.
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Quiz: What animal is this?
2/3/2025Think you know our local wildlife? Prove it with this 10-question quiz.
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A groundhog coming out of a burrow with the surrounding ground covered in show.
Five things to know about groundhogs, the star of the day
2/2/2025Groundhogs are enjoying their annual day in the spotlight, but there's a lot more to them than just the silly notion that Punxsutawney Phil can predict when winter will end.
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A blue jay perched on a tray feeder with a cardinal approaching and a light snow falling.
Be bird-friendly this winter: How to keep them visiting all season
1/30/2025The days have become noticeably colder and shorter, and food supplies have become more scarce for many birds. But you can keep birds visiting your yard all year long by providing the right foods.
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A red-tailed hawk seen in silhouette while perched on a bare tree. The sky is bright shades of yellow and orange.
February's silver lining: The days get longer as the month creeps on
1/29/2025February might be a short month, but it feels like a long one. One silver lining: As they days creep on, we will be experiencing more and more daylight.
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A groundhog in the grass with tall prairie grasses in the background.
Quiz: What's your groundhog IQ?
1/28/2025Groundhogs aren't just for Groundhog Day, so test your knowledge on Punxsutawney Phil and his many friends.
Current Headlines
Live wolf presentations highlight 2025 Mammal Madness
Head to Mammal Madness on March 1 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon to learn about mammals in the wild and to see live wolf presentations conducted by Big Run Wolf Ranch. The free event features family-friendly activities, crafts and Mammalympics.
The artist behind the Smokey Bear paintings; Wendelin’s daughter talks about her dad’s career
Elizabeth C. Wendelin talks about her dad, Rudolph Wendelin, and his life growing up in Kansas and becoming the artist who made Smokey Bear the beloved mascot that he is. Nineteen of Rudy's Smokey Bear paintings are on display now through March 2 at four Forest Preserve visitor centers.