The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A bee on coneflower
Nature curiosity: Why do flowers smell good?
7/17/2020Next time you stop to smell the roses, or any other sweet-smelling flower for that matter, keep in mind that the fragrance isn't intended for you. Instead, the plants are trying to attract insects and birds to aid in pollination.
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Bats lined up in roof rafters
Do you have bats living nearby? State researchers want to know
7/10/2020If you know of bats living on your property or nearby, you can submit the information to researchers studying bats in Illinois.
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A butterfly on a green leaf
What's the difference?: Butterfly vs. moth
7/7/2020Is that a moth or a butterfly? Learn the clues to help you tell the difference.
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Opossum hanging from tree limb with tail wrapped around it
Myth buster: Opossums don't really hang by their tails to sleep
7/2/2020Opossums are often depicted in cartoons as hanging upside down by their tails, but they aren't really able to do it for any length of time.
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Two river otters standing next to one another on land.
Creature feature: The playful river otter
7/1/2020River otters once nearly disappeared from Illinois, but these playful creatures have rebounded, thanks to a successful conservation program.
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A field view with dew on grass
Nature curiosity: Why are some mornings so dewy?
6/23/2020What does it mean when the grass is wet and dewy in the morning? Can it tell you anything about the weather to come?
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A tree burl that looks like a very big butt
Tree burls create optical illusions in the forest
6/15/2020If you've ever seen a monkey in a tree in an Illinois forest, chances are it was really a tree burl creating an optical illusion.
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View of a wetland at Rock Run Preserve
What's the difference?: Wetland vs. marsh vs. swamp
6/11/2020Wetlands link land and water, creating a crucial habitat with many important roles.
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A 13-lined ground squirrel on the ground
Creature feature: The often-misidentified 13-lined ground squirrel
6/8/2020That chipmunk you see may be a 13-lined ground squirrel. Learn how to tell them apart and everything you need to know about these ground squirrels.
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Female rabbit nursing its young
Breeding like rabbits? What does that mean anyway?
6/1/2020Rabbits are well-known for their ability to reproduce, but what makes them more prolific than other animals?
Current Headlines
Watch eagles defy gravity during annual Eagle Watch at Four Rivers
See eagles in the wild and up close at live bird presentations during the Forest Preserve District's annual eagle watch on Jan. 11 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.
Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access reopens after trail improvement project ends
Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access in Joliet has reopened to the public after being closed for an asphalt improvement project on the Rock Run Greenway Trail since late October.