The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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Garter snake slithering through leaf litter
Creature feature: The ubiquitous garter snake
4/26/2020Read moreThe garter snake is the most common snake in the United States, living from coast to coast. But these snakes are still interesting creatures, despite being ubiquitous.
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Six-lined racerunner on dirt background
Things we love: The surprising six-lined racerunner
4/24/2020Read moreSometimes, the things we come to love are the things that surprise us. Learning the six-lined racerunner lives in Will County is what made interpretive naturalist Erin Ward fall in love with them.
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A foggy forest
Nature curiosity: Where does fog come from?
4/21/2020Read moreYou woke up to a blanket of fog covering the neighborhood, but where did it come from?
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Green mayapple plants on the forest floor
Things we love: Those magical mayapples
4/20/2020Read moreThe blooms of spring wildflowers can be fleeting, and that's certainly true of the mayapple. But what makes this plant all the more special is that its flowers hide under umbrella-like leaves, making them even harder to catch a glimpse of.
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Four raccoons climbing a tree
Things we love: Those rascally raccoons
4/16/2020Read moreRaccoons have a well-earned reputation for being trash bandits, but they deserve our respect too.
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Bloodroot in bloom on forest floor
Things we love: The aptly named bloodroot
4/13/2020Read moreSpring wildflowers are beautiful but fleeting. Keep your eyes trained to the ground when out for a walk to see if you can spot bloodroot, a fascinating ephemeral.
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View of lightning strike off in the distance
Myth buster: Lightning can strike the same place twice
4/8/2020Read moreLightning can — and will — strike the same place twice, so always head indoors when thunder roars.
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A crappie fish being held in a hand
Things we love: Those fiercely protective crappies
4/7/2020Read moreSpring is spawning season for crappies, which offers an opportunity to get a good look at these fish.
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A blue-spotted salamander draped on top of a down log
Creature feature: The secretive blue-spotted salamander
4/6/2020Read moreHave you ever seen a blue-spotted salamander? Most people haven't, but they do live in Will County. Finding one is a matter of knowing where to look.
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A fox snake slithering on a trail
What's the difference?: Fox snake vs. eastern massasauga rattlesnake
4/4/2020Read moreIs that snake you saw a dangerous eastern massasauga rattlesnake or a nonvenomous fox snake? If you saw it in Will County, it was a fox snake. The massasauga does not live in Will County. In fact, no venomous snakes do.
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.