The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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An American coot standing on a log over the water.
Odd duck out: Coots share space with ducks, but aren't closely related
8/8/2023Is that a funny-looking duck or a chicken you saw by the water? It might be neither. American coots are a common sight by our waterways during breeding season, but they might have you doing a double take.
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A person standing along a dirt trail in a forest.
Preserves We Love: Raccoon Grove, for its fairy-tale feel
8/3/2023Interpretive naturalist Heather Van Zyl tells us why she loves Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve.
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A woman standing on a roof deck overlooking a forest.
Meet a Naturalist: Suzy Lyttle, a childhood dream fulfilled
7/28/2023Meet Suzy Lyttle, the program coordinator at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
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Sunlight shining through the canopies in a line of trees.
Burning questions about the sun? Check out these five facts
7/26/2023We have the sun to thank for all life on Earth, but how much do you really know about the star at the center of our world?
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A frog emerging its head from water covered in duckweed.
Duckweed is world's smallest flowering plant
7/24/2023Want to see the world's smallest flowering plant? Look no farther than your local pond.
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A woman standing on a trail along a wooded creek.
Preserves We Love: Forked Creek, for its subtle solitude
7/20/2023Real estate manager Sara Wittchen tells us why she loves spending time at Forked Creek Preserve.
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A northern saw-whet owl perched on a broken branch.
Think you know owls? Northern saw-whet owls defy our expectations
7/13/2023Northern saw-whet owls are a little different than the prototypical owl. For starters, they're only about the size of a robin, making them one of the smallest owl species in the world.
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A woman poses with her dog at a park.
Preserves We Love: Hammel Woods Dog Park, for its golden memories
7/13/2023Public information officer Cindy Cain tells us why she loves spending time at Hammel Woods Dog Park.
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A cicada on a leaf.
What's the difference?: cicada vs. locust
7/10/2023We often call cicadas locusts, but they are not even closely related insects. Learn the differences between them and why we never see locusts in Illinois or anywhere else in the United States.
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A person standing in a forest with a camera.
Preserves We Love: O'Hara Woods, for its varied photo subjects
7/6/2023Marketing technical specialist Glenn Knoblock tells us why he loves spending time at O'Hara Woods Preserve.
Current Headlines
Half-price dog park permits go on sale July 1
Half-price dog park permits will be available for purchase starting July 1 online and at Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. The permits can be used at all six Forest Preserve dog parks through the end of 2025.
Volunteer opportunities abound in the preserves this summer
The Forest Preserve District is offering a variety of short-term volunteer opportunities this summer, from hands-on habitat restoration to helping at public programs and events. With limited space and high demand, early registration is encouraged.