The Buzz

All Buzz Articles

  • A woman standing in front of a tree along a trail.

    Meet a Naturalist: Heather Van Zyl, always curious and always learning

    11/28/2023

    Meet Heather Van Zyl, an interpretive naturalist at Plum Creek Nature Center.

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  • A crow on a branch.

    Five things about misunderstood crows

    11/22/2023

    Crows are highly sociable and among the most intelligent animals around, but they don't have the best reputation.

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  • The green glow of the northern lights in the night sky.

    Nature curiosity: What are the northern lights?

    11/17/2023

    The northern lights are always happening, but you have to be at the right place at the right time to view them.

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  • Two people walking a dog along a trail.

    Need a good reason to take a hike? Here are four

    11/16/2023

    Looking for a reason to it the trails and stretch your legs on a hike? Here are a few.

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  • Side-by-side photos of a long-eared owl and a short-eared owl perched atop tree stumps.

    What's the difference: long-eared owl vs. short-eared owl

    11/13/2023

    Their so-called ears aren't the only difference between short-eared owls and long-eared owls.

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  • A red fox standing in a forest with the ground covered by fallen leaves.

    Nature curiosity: Why don't humans have tails?

    11/3/2023

    Being tailless is a rare trait among mammals, but us humans aren't quite alone. 

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  • A bison in a prairie.

    Five fun facts about our national mammal, the American bison

    11/2/2023

    What you don’t know about these scraggly bearded giants might surprise you.

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  • A woman poses in a forest.

    Meet a Naturalist: Alexis Lyons, helping people connect to nature

    11/1/2023

    Meet Alexis Lyons, an interpretive naturalist at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center. 

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  • A ladybug on a green leaf.

    Myth buster: Can you tell a ladybug's age by its spots? In a word, no

    10/27/2023

    What can a ladybug's spots tell us? Not much, although in some cases you may be able to determine the species from its spot pattern.

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  • A male wood duck standing on a tree branch.

    Five fast facts about ornate wood ducks

    10/24/2023

    It should come as no surprise that wood ducks love trees, but that's not all that is unique about them.

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Current Headlines

Nature Foundation's first in-person plant sale set for May 18-19 at Isle a la Cache

5/7/2024

The Nature Foundation of Will County's first in-person plant sale of the season will be held on May 18 and 19 at Isle a la Cache preserve in Romeoville. More sale are scheduled throughout the summer and a native plant garden tour is set for July 13. 

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All-terrain wheelchair opens up 'a whole new world' for nature exploration

5/3/2024

The first person to test the new GRIT Freedom Chair at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center said she loved that she could travel over grass, roots and mud and feel secure while doing so. The wheelchair is available for public use at no cost. 

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