The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A male and female ring-necked pheasant in grass.
Ring-necked pheasants not native to U.S. but have thrived as a game bird
11/4/2022Read moreRing-necked pheasants aren't native to Illinois or even the United States, but these birds have been common since the 1800s after being introduced as a game bird.
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A bison grazing in grass.
What's the difference?: Bison vs. buffalo
11/3/2022Read moreBuffalo and bison are not synonyms, although the term buffalo has been in widespread use in reference to bison for centuries.
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A deer hiding in tall prairie grasses.
What's the difference: Prairie vs. savanna
10/20/2022Read moreWhen does a grassland become a prairie or a savanna? It has a lot to do with the trees, or lack thereof.
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A white-breasted nuthatch eating seed from a bird feeder.
Love feeding the birds? Keep them healthy with regular feeder cleanings
10/15/2022Read moreKeeping your bird feeders full is only half the equation when it comes to keeping the birds happy and healthy. In addition to keeping the food coming, you need to clean your feeders regularly too.
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A black-and-white warbler on a tree trunk.
Want to know if birds are on the move? Check the weather forecast
10/11/2022Read moreBirds make the same migratory journeys year after year, but weather can play a big role on how many birds are traveling at any given time.
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Ants moving from leaf to leaf.
Five fast facts about hard-working ants
10/7/2022Read moreAnts are powerhouses in the animal kingdom, always busy and able to carry many times their body weight. There's plenty about them that makes them interesting.
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The sun setting behind a tree.
Love a good sunset? Visit these preserves to soak up the setting sun
10/1/2022Read moreLove a good sunset? We have plenty of preserves that really shine when the sun starts to set.
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A stand of trees with the sun peeking through the trunks.
Trees and climate change: Even small actions can make a difference
9/29/2022Read moreTrees absorb carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas, and release oxygen into the atmosphere, which can help limit the effects of climate change.
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A stink bug on a leaf.
What's the difference: Bug vs. insect
9/16/2022Read moreIt turns out bugs and insects actually exactly one and the same, but we'll look the other way if you use the words interchangeably.
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A raccoon laying on a tree branch.
Five fast facts about those rascally raccoons
9/15/2022Read moreRaccoons are known for their mischievous ways, making them both beloved and bemoaned by the humans they live alongside.
Current Headlines
Start your autumn with family-friendly fun at Fall on the Farm event on Sept. 14
Fall on the Farm is set for Saturday, Sept. 14, at Riverview Farmstead Preserve. Attendees can explore the 19th-century buildings, visit a petting zoo, try their hand at farm chores, view antique tractors and enjoy live bluegrass music.
Visitor centers to close on Labor Day, bait shops will be open
Forest Preserve visitor centers will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, for the Labor Day holiday, but concession stands will be open at Monee Reservoir in Monee Township and Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook.