The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A side by side comparison of a turtle and a tortoise
What's the difference: Turtle vs. tortoise
11/12/2020Turtle or tortoise? There are some key differences between these animals, but if you saw it here in Illinois you can rest assured it was a turtle.
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A woolly bear caterpillar walking on the ground
Myth buster: Woolly bear caterpillars don't really predict winter weather
11/4/2020The bands on woolly bear caterpillars are said to be a sign about what Mother Nature has in store for us each winter, but in reality these insects can't tell us anything about the weather.
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An eastern bluebird on a branch
Nature curiosity: Why is blue so rare in the animal kingdom?
10/24/2020Creatures come in all sizes, shapes and colors, but not all colors are represented equally. Find out why blue is so rare in the animal kingdom.
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An apple core discarded on the ground
Think twice before your drop that apple core on the ground; it's still littering
10/21/2020Food scraps don't decompose as fast as you might think, so leaving your apple cores and banana peels behind is bad news for many reasons.
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A wolf spider walking on pavement
Creature feature: The creepy, crawly wolf spider
10/19/2020With eight long legs, eight eyes and fangs for mouthparts, wolf spiders look scarier than they are. In reality, they aren't dangerous at all, and they play an important role in the ecosystem.
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Ladybugs on a log
What's the difference?: Ladybug vs. lady beetle
10/15/2020Ladybug or lady beetles? Are these creatures one and the same?
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A beaver swimming in water
Nature curiosity: How do beavers hold their breath for so long?
9/30/2020How do beavers stay under water for so long? Their bodies are specially designed for it.
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An orb weaver in a web
Myth buster: Spider silk is as strong as steel? It's not quite so simple
9/25/2020Is spider silk as strong as steel? Yes and no.
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A spiny softshell turtle on a log by water
Creature feature: The more vulnerable spiny softshell turtle
9/23/2020Eastern spiny softshell turtles aren't as large as snapping turtles, but they are one of the biggest freshwater turtles in the United States.
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A side by side comparison of a frog and toad
What's the difference?: Frog vs. toad
9/11/2020Frogs and toads are both amphibians, and the differences between them can be confusing and subtle.
Current Headlines
Visitor centers to close for Easter weekend
Forest Preserve visitor centers will be closed on Friday, April 18, and Easter Sunday, April 20. Preserves, trails and dog parks will remain open. The Tackle Box bait shop at Hidden Oaks Preserve will be open on Friday but closed Sunday.
'Contagious passion' earns Fuqua Volunteer of the Year Award
John Fuqua received the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Volunteer of the Year Award and Don and Espie Nelson were given a Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual volunteer banquet.