The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A female and male cardinal perched on a branch with snow falling around them.
Myth buster: No two snowflakes are alike? Very likely, but it's hard to prove
1/9/2025Every snowflake is unique, or at least as best as we can figure out. It's probably true that no two snowflakes are alike, but the sheer number of snowflakes makes it virtually impossible to determine with certainty.
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A bald eagle soaring in the air with its wings outstretched and its mouth open.
Quiz: Are you a bald eagle expert?
1/2/2025Test your knowledge to see how much you really know about these amazing birds.
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A mink standing on a log sticking out of the water.
Quiz: Test your knowledge on the American mink
12/30/2024Test your knowledge on these little-known creatures.
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A meteor streaking across a star-filled night sky above trees and a lake.
Start 2025 by checking out Quadrantids meteor shower and the wolf moon
12/26/2024Resolve to try a new hobby in 2025? Try sky watching.
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Three discarded Christmas trees piled up outside.
Not sure what to do with your tree after Christmas? Here are a few ideas
12/24/2024You had the merriest of Christmases, but now all that's left is your empty and bare tree. Here's how to responsibly dispose of it.
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A red-headed woodpecker on a tree trunk with its head turned away.
Quiz: Are you a red-headed woodpecker whiz?
12/22/2024Find out by answering these 10 questions.
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A gray squirrel on a bare tree branch.
Quiz: What's your gray squirrel IQ?
12/17/2024Find out by answering these 10 questions.
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A winter stonefly on snow.
Winter stoneflies flourish in frigid winter weather
12/12/2024While most insects aren't active during the coldest time of year, the winter stonefly is a notable exception. These insects thrive in the frigid air and icy waters of winter.
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A belted kingfisher perched on a wire.
Quiz: What's your belted kingfisher IQ?
12/9/2024Find out on this 10-question quiz.
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A female and male mallard in the water.
Five fast facts about the mallard, our most well-known duck
12/5/2024Mallards are the quintessential duck — the species that comes to mind when thinking about ducks. Here's your chance to learn all about them.
Current Headlines
Joliet Junction Trail section to close for Interstate 80 work
A section of the Joliet Junction Trail is scheduled to be closed for seven to 10 days due to an Interstate 80 improvement project. The trail will be closed from McDonough Street to Moen Avenue.
Join a trail cleanup to mark MLK Day of Service
The Forest Preserve District is hosting two trail cleanup days to mark the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Cleanups are set for Jan. 19 on the Rock Run Greenway Trail and Jan. 20 on the Joliet Junction Trail.