The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A blue jay in the grass with a peanut in its mouth.
Seen a bird looking a little worse for the wear? It's probably molting
9/2/2022If you've spotted a bird that looks sickly or just downright strange, there's a good chance it's molting and will be back to its stylish self soon.
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A crayfish in the water.
Lobsters in Illinois? Maybe not, but we have plenty of their miniature relatives, crayfish
8/30/2022We, of course, have no lobsters here in landlocked Will County, but their miniature-sized relative, the crayfish, populates our waterways.
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A snapping turtle on a trail.
Five fast facts about those not-so-ferocious snapping turtles
8/25/2022The imposing-looking snapping turtle is nothing to fear, but they are pretty interesting creatures.
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A Native American longhouse and a wooden canoe.
Love local history? Make sure to check out these preserves
8/25/2022You may think of the preserves as places to connect with nature, but some preserves are also great locations to learn about our local history.
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A jellyfish in the water.
Jellyfish in Illinois? You better believe it
8/16/2022Jellyfish in Illinois? They do exist, although they're so small you might never notice them.
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A mourning dove perched on a ledge.
Celebrate Urban Birds project aims to introduce birding to underserved populations
8/12/2022We're never too far away from birds, and that's why Celebrate Urban Birds project aims to use some of our most common birds to introduce traditionally underserved communities to birds and birding.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.