The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A ruby-throated hummingbird at a feeder.
How to attract hummingbirds to your yard: Native plants are best
5/12/2022Both hummingbird feeders and wildflowers can help attract ruby-throated hummingbirds to your yard, but don't forget about including plants that host insects, another important food source for these tiny beauties.
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A chimney swift in flight.
Five fast facts about always flying chimney swifts
5/11/2022Chimney swifts are almost always seen in flight, and their silhouette in the air gave rise to their nickname, flying cigars.
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A six-lined racerunner on sandy soil.
Creature feature: The silky-looking six-lined racerunner
5/5/2022Get to know a little about the six-lined racerunner, one of only two lizard species that live in Will County.
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A robin fledgling on the ground.
Nature curiosity: When does a bird need help?
5/3/2022It’s a question that comes up often: I found an injured bird that might be injured, so what should I do? The answer depends on many factors, including the age and type of bird, but in many cases the best course of action is contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who can help the animal.
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A reddish colored moon during a lunar eclipse.
Five facts about show-stopping lunar eclipses
4/22/2022Lunar eclipses only happen a few times a year, and they aren't visible from everywhere even if the weather cooperates, making them a real show stopper if you are fortunate enough to see one.
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A field of weeds.
Nature curiosity: What makes a weed a weed?
4/20/2022Essentially, weeds are any plants that are growing in an area where they are not intended to grow, but it's a little more complicated than that, legally speaking.
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Bikers ride along a paved trail.
The trails are for everyone, so mind your manners out there
4/8/2022The trails can be crowded on nice days, so make sure you're being a good neighbor by practicing proper trail etiquette.
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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.
Current Headlines
Be a Trailblazer turns outdoor fun into a family affair
Liz Lyons of New Lenox has turned the Forest Preserve District’s Be a Trailblazer challenge into a fun-filled family tradition. From dancing in the rain to spotting tiny critters on the trail, challenge missions have become cherished memories.
Hybrid turtle 'Theodorable' serves as warning: Don’t dump pets in preserves
A hybrid box turtle was removed from a Will County preserve to protect a threatened species. Now living at Isle a la Cache Museum, he serves as an ambassador to educate the public about the dangers of releasing pet turtles into the wild.