The buzz

All Buzz Articles

  • Yellow and green lichen on a log

    Things we love: Those lovely lichens

    4/2/2020

    Lichens are little known and not well understood, but they deserve our appreciation.

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  • Blue-spotted salamander on a log

    Things we love: Those sneaky salamanders

    3/27/2020

    When it comes to salamanders, a big part of the thrill is the hunt.

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  • Red-headed woodpecker perched on a branch

    Nature curiosity: Why don't woodpeckers get brain damage?

    3/23/2020

    Woodpeckers can peck up to 12,000 times a day! So how do they do it without hurting their brains?

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  • White-breasted nuthatch eating on a feeder

    How to turn your yard into a haven for birds

    3/20/2020

    Want to attract birds to your yard? You'll need to meet their basic needs: food, shelter and water.

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  • Great blue heron in the water on the hunt

    Things we love: Those gangling great blue herons

    3/19/2020

    Birds in Will County come in all shapes, sizes and colors, but it doesn't get any better than spotting a great blue heron gliding over a preserve or patiently stalking its prey on the ground.

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  • Spring peeper frog on a branch

    Creature feature: The season-announcing spring peeper

    3/18/2020

    Soon, spring peepers will be calling out in the night, letting us know spring has arrived.

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  • A mosquito biting a person's arm

    A world without mosquitoes? It's not as great an idea as it may seem

    3/11/2020

    A world without mosquitoes might sound nice, but removing one species from its habitat can have far-ranging and devastating consequences.

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  • Dead great blue heron hanging by fishing line

    This dead great blue heron Is hanging from a tree due to human carelessness

    3/9/2020

    The photo isn't easy to look at, but it's important to share it to raise awareness of how deadly the trash being left behind in the preserves can be to wildlife.

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  • A queen snake slithering on a leafy branch

    What's the difference?: Reptile vs. amphibian

    3/8/2020

    Is a snake a reptile or an amphibian? How about a frog? These two classes of animals have some similarities, but some key characteristics also set them apart.

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  • A bee on a coneflower

    Pesticides causing brain damage in baby bumblebees, study shows

    3/5/2020

    Climate change and habitat loss aren't the only factors affecting the bee population. A new study shows the use of pesticides called neonicotinoids can cause permanent brain damage in baby bumblebees. 

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Current Headlines

Start your autumn with family-friendly fun at Fall on the Farm event on Sept. 14

8/31/2024

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. 

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Visitor centers to close on Labor Day, bait shops will be open

8/30/2024

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.

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