The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A fawn standing in tall vegetation with a fallen log behind it.
Myth buster: Fawns are born without a scent
6/5/2023It's not quite true that fawns are born with no scent. They do have very little scent when they are born, making it easier to tuck them away without being found by predators.
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A woman holds her young child while on a long wooden bridge.
Preserves We Love: Rock Run Rookery Preserve, for mother-son bonding time
6/1/2023Digital and print marketing specialist Katie McCollum tells us why she loves spending time at Rock Run Rookery Preserve.
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A woman poses for a photo on a trail while a runner passes by.
Preserves We Love: Rock Run, for bringing people and nature together
5/24/2023Digital marketing assistant Meghan McMahon tells us why she loves spending time at Rock Run Preserve.
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A bee on a person's finger.
Myth buster: Bees die when they sting you
5/19/2023You've probably heard that bees die when they sting you, but this isn't universally true. Most bee species don't even have stingers.
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A thunderstorm over an open field with lightning striking the ground.
Five things about those powerful, booming thunderstorms
5/18/2023The crack of lightning and rumble of thunder can create awe and fear, and here are five things you should know about these forces of nature.
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Two painted turtles on a log in a pond filled with duckweed and other vegetation.
What's the difference?: Habitat vs. ecosystem
5/15/2023We sometimes use the terms habitat and ecosystem interchangeably, but they are not one and the same.
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An Osage orange tree with several of the large fruits hanging from its branches.
A different kind of orange: Osage orange trees have long, storied history
5/5/2023Orange trees do grow in Illinois, but our native Osage orange trees are nothing like the citrus trees you're thinking of.
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Four balloons stuck in a tree.
Throwing a party? Skip the balloons to help save wildlife
5/4/2023Balloons can wreak havoc on wildlife and the environment if not used and disposed of properly, so think twice before including them in your party decor.
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An eastern bluebird perched on a bare tree branch.
Bluebirds are back from the brink thanks to human interventions
5/2/2023The eastern bluebird population was once in rapid decline because of a perfect storm of factors, but today their population has recovered well and these birds are a common sight once again.
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The silhouette of a flock of birds in flight as the sun sets.
Nature curiosity: Why do birds migrate at night?
5/1/2023Not all birds migrate but the majority that do, travel by night. Researchers don't fully understand why, but nocturnal migration does provide some benefits.
Current Headlines
Independence Day holiday closures announced
Most Forest Preserve visitor centers will be closed at noon Thursday, July 3, and all day Friday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Bait shop hours will vary. Preserves, trails and dog parks will remain open.
'Into the Wild' art exhibit blends nature and creativity
The “Into the Wild Art Exhibition” runs July 5 through Aug. 30 at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook. The free exhibit showcases nature-themed art by local artists from the Nature Artists' Guild of The Morton Arboretum. Visitors can vote for their favorite pieces.