The buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
Sparkling snow on the ground.
Nature curiosity: Why does some snow sparkle?
1/18/2022Read moreHave you ever noticed that some snow is particularly sparkly or glittery? Scientists call it "snow sparkle," an effect caused by sunlight reflecting off ice crystals in the snow.
-
What's the better view: Fall or winter at Goodenow Grove?
1/11/2022Read moreWe have to admit that they're both pretty amazing. But if you had to choose, which one would it be?
-
A lady beetle on a brown leaf.
Nature curiosity: Where do insects go in winter?
1/10/2022Read moreWhere did all the insects go for winter? It depends on the species.
-
A gray squirrel in the snow with snow all over its fur.
Survival stories: How animals endure winter's worst weather
1/9/2022Read moreWhen given the choice, most of us choose to spend most of the winter indoors. Animals, though, don't exactly have a choice.
-
The full moon with a halo around it.
See a ring around the sun or moon? It's a 22-degree halo
1/7/2022Read moreRings of light that can sometimes be seen around the sun or moon are called halos, and we see them because of light refracting off of ice crystals high up in the clouds.
-
A blue jay perched on a branch.
Five fascinating facts about bedeviling blue jays
1/3/2022Read moreBlue jays are one of our most recognizable birds, and they are plenty interesting too.
-
A red-bellied woodpecker and a red-headed woodpecker side by side.
What's the difference?: Red-bellied woodpecker vs. red-headed woodpecker
12/16/2021Read moreRed-headed and red-bellied woodpeckers are often confused with one another, but not because they look alike. Instead, it's because the name red-headed woodpecker is fitting for both birds.
-
A tick on skin.
A mild winter means no break from ticks
12/15/2021Read moreThe arrival of winter isn't a guarantee that ticks don't pose a threat to you or your pets. If the temperature is above freezing and the ground isn't frozen, some ticks are still active, which means they can still spread tick-borne illnesses.
-
A short-tailed shrew on the ground.
Five fun facts about wonderfully weird northern short-tailed shrews
12/13/2021Read moreYou may have seen a short-tailed shrew and mistaken it for a mouse, but these animals are entirely different. And the shrews are about as weird as it gets.
-
A pileated woodpecker on a tree trunk.
Creature feature: The raucous pileated woodpecker
12/8/2021Read moreThe pileated woodpecker is one of our most striking forest dwellers, and you can learn more about them in this creature feature.
Current Headlines
Start your autumn with family-friendly fun at Fall on the Farm event on Sept. 14
Fall on the Farm is set for Saturday, Sept. 14, at Riverview Farmstead Preserve. Attendees can explore the 19th-century buildings, visit a petting zoo, try their hand at farm chores, view antique tractors and enjoy live bluegrass music.
Visitor centers to close on Labor Day, bait shops will be open
Forest Preserve visitor centers will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, for the Labor Day holiday, but concession stands will be open at Monee Reservoir in Monee Township and Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook.