The buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
A person standing next to a large tree trunk in a forest.
Meet a Naturalist: Brittany Schaller, at home in the outdoors
6/26/2024Read moreBrittany Schaller is about as outdoorsy as it gets. She camps, she hikes, she fishes, and it’s been like that for as long as she can remember.
-
Fireworks lighting up the night sky over a lake.
Booms in the night: Fireworks displays pose risks for wildlife
6/26/2024Read moreIt's not just our pets who suffer around the Fourth of July. Loud, booming fireworks pose serious risks to wildlife too.
-
A bullfrog with its head sticking out of the water.
Quiz: Test your knowledge on bullfrog basics
6/25/2024Read moreFind out by answering these 10 questions.
-
A rose-breasted grosbeak perched on a branch with a seed on its mouth.
The rose-breasted grosbeak: A pretty bird with a pretty song
6/24/2024Read moreWith their recognizable namesake plumage, rose-breasted grosbeaks are a welcome sight. Learn what else makes these birds special.
-
A snapping turtle laying on a log above the water with its shell covered in duckweed and other vegetation.
Quiz: Are you savvy about snapping turtles?
6/21/2024Read moreFind out by answering these 10 questions.
-
It's lightning bug season, so be on the lookout for these incredible creatures
6/18/2024Read moreCatching lightning bugs is a summer rite of passage. But do you know how these bugs light up? Or why?
-
A side-by-side comparison of a common grackle and a European starling with both birds perched on tree branches.
What's the difference?: Grackle vs. starling
6/18/2024Read moreCan you tell the difference between a grackle and a starling? Which is larger? Which gets white polka dots in the winter? Here is your chance to find out.
-
A blue jay splashing in a bird bath.
Help wildlife beat the heat by leaving water out for them
6/17/2024Read moreWhat are you doing to beat the heat this summer? If you can, add leaving water out for wildlife to your list.
-
An opossum atop a wooden fence.
-
An Asian longhorned tick on a leaf.
New tick sighting in Illinois a reminder to be vigilant
6/7/2024Read moreAn invasive tick called the Asian longhorned tick has been discovered for the first time in Illinois.
Current Headlines
McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove, Four Rivers scheduled to be closed Aug. 5-6 for sealcoating
McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove and Four Rivers Environmental Education Center are scheduled to be closed Aug. 5 and Aug. 6 for sealcoating. The schedule could change due to weather or other factors. Updates will be posted online.
OPRT remains closed as storm cleanup work continues
Old Plank Road Trail remains closed from Pfeiffer Road to Harlem Avenue as tree removal work continues after a recent, severe storm. Due to the number of downed trees and cracked overhead branches, cleanup work may continue through Tuesday, July 30.