The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A river otter with just its head above the water.
Quiz: Can you ace this river otter quiz?
4/30/2025Test your knowledge on this 10-question quiz.
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A person pushing a lawn mower across a lawn. Half the lawn is freshly cut and half is full of dandelions.
Give your mower a rest in May. Do it for the bees.
4/28/2025Participating in No Mow May isn't just a way to cut down on your yardwork for a month. You'll be helping bees and other essential insects too.
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A northern flicker sitting in the branches of a crabapple tree dusted with snow.
Want winter wildlife in your yard? Plant these trees now
4/23/2025When planning your spring plantings, consider incorporating trees that will be a draw for wildlife in the winter too.
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A fennec fox laying in sand.
Wild Relatives: The fennec fox
4/22/2025Fennec foxes are the smallest fox species in the world, and they thrive in the extreme conditions of the Sahara Desert.
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A badger emerging from a hole in the ground.
Quiz: How much do you know about badgers?
4/22/2025Find out by answering these 10 questions.
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A monarch butterfly atop a green leaf.
Migration watch: Monarchs have landed in Illinois
4/17/2025We're charting migrations this season, announcing when a variety of species hit major milestones on their travels north.
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The pink blooms of an eastern redbud tree in a forest.
Pretty in pink: Eastern redbuds provide pop of color in spring landscape
4/15/2025Eastern redbuds are one of the first pops of color in the forest each spring, providing splashes of pink in the canopy before the green creeps in.
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A ruby-throated hummingbird perched on a hummingbird feeder.
Migration watch: Hummingbirds have landed in Will County
4/14/2025Get your hummingbird feeders out! The tiny birds have been spotted in Will County.
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A swarm of bees hanging from a tree branch.
Nature curiosity: Why do bees swarm?
4/14/2025Why do bees swarm? Because they've outgrown the hive.
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A row of three Callery pear trees in bloom with a line of trees at the edge of a grassy area behind them.
What stinks? Bradford pear trees and their invasive tendencies
4/11/2025Smell that fetid odor in the air? It may be coming from your own yard. Callery pear trees are in full bloom, revealing beautiful white blooms but also emitting a stench that's similar to that of rotting fish.
Current Headlines
Pollinator Party returns with family fun, live animals and hands-on learning
Pollinator Party returns to Isle a la Cache Museum on Saturday, June 14, with live animals, crafts, food trucks, a native plant sale, vendors and more. The free event celebrates pollinators with activities for all ages.
'Prairie Reverie’ exhibit offers artistic ode to native prairies
A 'Prairie Reverie' exhibit at Plum Creek Nature Center showcases local artist Carrie Carlson’s artwork celebrating Illinois’ native prairie life. The free exhibit runs June 4 through Aug. 24.