The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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The white flowers on a Bradford pear tree.
The stinky scourge of suburbia: Bradford pear trees
4/5/2022That fetid smell in the air may be coming from your own yard. Bradford pear trees are in full bloom, revealing beautiful white blooms but also emitting a stench that's similar to that of rotting fish.
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A blue racer on the ground.
Amazing find: Rare blue racer caught on camera
4/4/2022In another case of you never know what you'll find when out in the preserves, District staff spotted a pretty cool creature on Friday in the form of a blue racer within the 1,200-acre Kankakee Sands preservation system.
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A great egret wading and leaning into the water.
Five things about those graceful great egrets
4/1/2022Our tallest birds are among our most striking and elegant, and the great egret certainly fits into this group of regal birds.
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A spongy moth caterpillar on a leaf.
What you need to know about invasive and destructive spongy moths
3/22/2022Not all moths and butterflies should be treasured. Some, like the spongy moth, are invasive and are harming local habitats.
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A monarch on a wildflower.
Monarch population plummeting, and a known parasite may be killing millions a year, study finds
3/21/2022Monarch populations have plummeted by more than 80% over the past two decades, and a known pathogenic parasite may be contributing to the devastating decline more than previously thought.
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Two pileated woodpeckers on the ground.
What's the difference?: Male vs. female pileated woodpecker
3/19/2022Male and female pileated woodpeckers look similar, but they are not identical. If you look closely at the coloring on their heads and faces, you can tell the difference.
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A rat on the ground.
Using rat poison to control rodent infestations can have devastating effects on other wildlife
3/17/2022Everything in nature is connected, so when you use rodenticides to control rodent infestations in and around your home the effects may be more far reaching than you intended.
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Two Canada geese in the grass in a defensive posture.
Five feisty facts about Canada geese
3/8/2022Get the lowdown on Canada geese, one of our most common and widespread birds.
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A closeup of snowflakes on a dark background.
Myth buster: No two snowflakes are alike? Very likely, but it's hard to prove
2/17/2022Every snowflake is unique, or at least as best as we can figure out. It's probably true that no two snowflakes are alike, but the sheer number of snowflakes makes it virtually impossible to determine with certainty.
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A cedar waxwing perched on a branch with fruit in its mouth.
Cedar waxwings are eye-catching birds that you won't confuse with anything else
2/16/2022Cedar waxwings are unique in appearance and are also different from most birds in that they can exist on fruit alone for months at a time.
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.