The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A white-tailed deer in the snow.
Feeding deer in winter: You're doing more harm than good
1/9/2023Think you're doing the deer a favor by feeding them in winter? You're actually doing them much more harm than good.
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An American mink alert in a grassy field.
Five fast facts about secretive American minks
12/30/2022That furry, brown critter scurrying along the shoreline might just be an American mink, one of our lesser known semiaquatic mammals.
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A hairless Sphinx cat standing on a rock.
Nature curiosity: Do other mammals go bald like humans?
12/22/2022Plenty of humans go bald, but do other animals lose their hair as they age?
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Horseshoe crabs on the shore.
You may bleed red, but not all animals do
12/21/2022Red blood certainly isn't unique in the animal kingdom, but it's far from universal.
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A trio of whooping cranes flying over a wetland.
Why are whooping cranes still so rare?
12/16/2022The story of the whooping crane is a troubled one that nearly ended with these majestic birds' extinction. And while small populations of these cranes still do exist today, they haven't experienced the conservation successes that we've seen with other birds, like bald eagles and great egrets.
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A side-by-side comparison of a house mouse and a Norway rat.
What's the difference?: Mouse vs. rat
12/15/2022If you see a rodent scurrying across your floor, you may not care if it is a mouse or a rat, but there are several key differences between them. And while some mice and rats are non-native nuisances, native species of both also live in Illinois.
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A red fox.
Five fast facts about resourceful red foxes
12/9/2022The red fox has earned its reputation for being clever and cunning.
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A red-bellied woodpecker on a tree branch.
Looking to get into birding? Your local forest preserves are calling
12/7/2022Birds aren't exactly a rarity in our world, populating just about every type of habitat worldwide in good numbers. But if you want to see a variety of birds or brush up on your local birding knowledge, the Will County forest preserves are a good place to start.
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golden eagle on the left and bald eagle on the right
What's the difference?: Bald eagle vs. golden eagle
11/22/2022In their adult plumage, golden eagles and bald eagles are easy to distinguish from one another. As juveniles, however, they look much more similar.
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A pair of sandhill cranes in shallow water.
Five fast facts about loud but lovely sandhill cranes
11/18/2022Sandhill cranes are the supermodels of the bird world, tall, elegant and eye-catching with their gray plumage and crimson eye patches.
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.