The buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
A stony ground contain fossilized remains of an animal.
Fossils are a link to the past, but how do they form?
8/11/2022Fossils provide us with a link to the past. Without them, we might not know that dinosaurs, woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers ever roamed the Earth. But how do they form?
-
A barred owl sleeping on a tree branch.
Nature curiosity: How do birds sleep?
8/11/2022Birds aren't exactly deep sleepers, but they do manage to get some shut eye every night.
-
A colorful sunset.
What's the difference?: Lake vs. pond
8/8/2022What makes a lake a lake? Or how about a pond a pond. Technically speaking, nothing.
-
A garter snake coming out of the crack between sidewalk squares.
Five things about our most recognizable snake, the garter snake
8/2/2022Get to know a little about our most recognizable snake, the common garter snake.
-
A ruby-throated hummingbird perched at the end of a twig surrounded by leaves.
Nature curiosity: When do hummingbirds migrate?
8/1/2022Hummingbirds are here in Will County for a good portion of the year, but knowing when they migrate can help determine when to have hummingbird feeders out.
-
A natural surface trail in a forest.
Want to elevate your walk to a hike? Check out these natural surface trails
7/30/2022What makes a hike more than a walk? A natural surface trail certainly helps.
-
An armadillo in the grass.
Seen an armadillo or a bear? IDNR wants to know
7/27/2022Armadillos aren't normally seen in the northern part of Illinois and, when they are, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources wants to know about it. Same for black bears, cougars and gray wolves.
-
A colorful sunrise at Monee Reservoir.
You don't even have to leave your car to take in the sights at some preserves
7/25/2022Not everyone is able to hike along trails to enjoy nature and all it has to offer, so the Forest Preserve has many spots where you can take in the sights from your car or an easy-to-get-to bench.
-
Earthworms in soil.
Five fun facts about subterranean earthworms
7/14/2022Learn all about the earthworms crawling just below the surface.
-
A man using a tape measure to measure the circumference of a tree.
How to tell how old a tree is — without cutting it down
7/8/2022Want to determine the age of a tree without cutting it down? As long as you know what kind of tree it is, all you need is a measuring tape and a calculator.
Current Headlines
Preserves, visitor centers to close for Christmas holiday
All forest preserve visitors centers will be closed after noon on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and all day on Wednesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday. Also, all preserves, including dog parks, will be closed on Dec. 25.
Mark your calendar for exciting 2025 events
The Forest Preserve District's 2025 calendar is chock full of exciting events and exhibitions ranging from Eagle Watch and a Smokey Bear art exhibition in January to Pelican Party and Woods Walk in the fall.