The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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Cellar spider closeup
Things we love: Those human-friendly cellar spiders
5/7/2020Cellar spiders love to live in human habitats, but they're beneficial to us to.
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Killdeer with two babies underneath her.
Myth buster: Mother birds won't reject their babies if you touch them
5/6/2020A mother won't reject her babies if you touch them, but most young birds don't need your help.
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Woman picking up dog poop while her dog watches
Dog poop vs. wildlife poop: Not all animal excrement is equal
5/4/2020When it comes to animal poop, it's not all the same. Dog poop can be harmful to the environment if left behind, but that's not true of wildlife waste. That's why it's important to always pick up after your dog, no matter where you are.
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Woodchuck walking across grass
Things we love: Those layabout woodchucks
5/1/2020Photographing wildlife can be an adventure, but the woodchuck is an easy subject.
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Person spraying pesticides on lawn
When it comes to our lawns, many of us are keeping up with the Joneses
4/28/2020The need to have a perfect lawn has to do with peer pressure, according to a recent study. But doing so isn't really good for the environment.
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A common grackle perched on a fence
Things we love: Those exquisite common grackles
4/27/2020Common grackles might seem ordinary, their name even implies it. But while these birds may be common, there is something quite special about them.
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Garter snake slithering through leaf litter
Creature feature: The ubiquitous garter snake
4/26/2020The 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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A foggy forest
Nature curiosity: Where does fog come from?
4/21/2020You woke up to a blanket of fog covering the neighborhood, but where did it come from?
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Four raccoons climbing a tree
Things we love: Those rascally raccoons
4/16/2020Raccoons 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
4/13/2020Spring 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.
Current Headlines
Half-price dog park permits go on sale July 1
Half-price dog park permits will be available for purchase starting July 1 online and at Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. The permits can be used at all six Forest Preserve dog parks through the end of 2025.
Volunteer opportunities abound in the preserves this summer
The Forest Preserve District is offering a variety of short-term volunteer opportunities this summer, from hands-on habitat restoration to helping at public programs and events. With limited space and high demand, early registration is encouraged.