The buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
A woolly bear caterpillar on a wooden surface.
Nature curiosity: Why don't woolly bear caterpillars freeze to death?
2/19/2025Despite what you may have heard, woolly bear caterpillars can't predict how bad the winter weather will be. But they do have a pretty cool way to survive even the most frigid temperatures.
-
An eastern screech owl perched atop a tree snag.
Quiz: Are you an expert on screech owls?
2/18/2025Take this 10-question quiz to find out.
-
A deer in the snow.
Nature curiosity: How do deer stay warm in winter?
2/17/2025Deer can't escape the cold during a long, harsh winter, so how do they survive? They rely on a combination of adaptations and behavioral changes to make it through the cold winter months.
-
A skunk walking in the grass.
Love is in the air? It's just skunk mating season
2/13/2025It's skunk mating season, and as male skunks are out and about searching for mates, we may have more close encounters with these animals, resulting in that telltale smell in the air.
-
A partially frozen stream in a snowy landscape.
Why is the world so quiet when it snows? The science behind the silence
2/12/2025It's not just a myth that the world seems more quiet after a snowfall. There's science behind the silence.
-
A side-by-side comparison of a gray fox and a red fox.
What's the difference?: Red fox vs. gray fox
2/10/2025Illinois is home to two fox species, the red fox and the gray fox, and telling the difference between them isn't always as easy as looking at the color of their fur.
-
A snowy owl standing on the snow-covered ground with snowy trees in the background.
Quiz: How savvy are you about snowy owls?
2/9/2025Take this quiz to see how much you know about this treasured species.
-
Sparkling snow on the ground.
Nature curiosity: Why does some snow sparkle?
2/6/2025Have 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.
-
A turtle with a muddy shell sitting on a log in the water.
Nature curiosity: Why and how do turtles breathe with their butts?
2/5/2025How do turtles breathe while they are underwater all winter? Through their butts, so to speak.
-
Heavy snow falling on a snow-covered trail lined by trees.
What's the difference?: Blizzard vs. snowstorm
2/4/2025Snowstorms are often anticipated for days ahead of their arrival, but when does a snowstorm become a blizzard?
Current Headlines
Second wetland bank greenlit for restoration funding
The Forest Preserve District now has two wetland mitigation banks that will provide funding for restoration in two preserves. Farmers or developers who disturb wetlands elsewhere can buy credits in the banks to pay for wetland enhancements in Will County.
Isle a la Cache hosts buzz-worthy 'Pollination Investigation' exhibit
Smithsonian Gardens’ “Pollination Investigation” opens April 2 at Isle a la Cache Museum. The exhibit, which runs through June 22, highlights the crucial role pollinators play in our ecosystem.