The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A turtle with a muddy shell sitting on a log in the water.
Nature curiosity: Why and how do turtles breathe with their butts?
2/2/2024Read moreHow do turtles breathe while they are underwater all winter? Through their butts, so to speak.
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A groundhog in the grass.
Five things to know about groundhogs, an animal for all seasons
2/2/2024Read moreGroundhogs get a lot of attention on Feb. 2, but there's a lot more to these critters than the silly notion that they can predict when winter will end.
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Two birds eating from a bird feeder.
How to keep the birds visiting your yard all winter long
1/31/2024Read moreThe days have become noticeably colder and shorter, and food supplies have become more scarce for many birds. But you can keep birds visiting your yard all year long by providing the right foods.
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A person standing in front of a map display in a museum.
Meet a Naturalist: Amy McNeil, a lifelong history buff
1/29/2024Read moreMeet Amy McNeil, a program coordinator at Isle a la Cache Museum.
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A pair of bald eagles on their nest.
Nature curiosity: Why do eagles lay their eggs in winter?
1/19/2024Read moreWinter might seem like an odd time for laying eggs, but it's the perfect timeline for bald eagles.
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A cicada and two cicada exoskeletons on grass.
Have you heard the buzz? This summer will be a cicada summer
1/12/2024Read moreGet ready for cicada summer. It's been 17 years since periodical cicadas last emerged in northern Illinois, and it's once again their time to shine.
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A snow-covered trail and trees.
Five freezing facts about snow to tide you over this winter
1/9/2024Read moreLove it or hate it, snow is as essential as rain. Learn to appreciate it with these five fun facts.
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A squirrel on a tree branch.
Five fun facts about our squirrelly squirrels
1/3/2024Read moreSquirrels are common enough that they are just part of the background in nature, but they are pretty interesting creatures when you learn more about them.
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An eastern bluebird on a tree branch.
Not all blue birds are bluebirds: Learn the difference between our blue-hued birds
12/22/2023Read moreNot all blue birds are bluebirds. In our area, we see eastern bluebirds, blue jays and even indigo buntings sporting blue feathers. Learn the differences between these blue-hued birds.
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A woman standing in front of a tree along a trail.
Meet a Naturalist: Heather Van Zyl, always curious and always learning
11/28/2023Read moreMeet Heather Van Zyl, an interpretive naturalist at Plum Creek Nature Center.
Current Headlines
McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove, Four Rivers scheduled to be closed Aug. 5-6 for sealcoating
McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove and Four Rivers Environmental Education Center are scheduled to be closed Aug. 5 and Aug. 6 for sealcoating. The schedule could change due to weather or other factors. Updates will be posted online.
OPRT remains closed as storm cleanup work continues
Old Plank Road Trail remains closed from Pfeiffer Road to Harlem Avenue as tree removal work continues after a recent, severe storm. Due to the number of downed trees and cracked overhead branches, cleanup work may continue through Tuesday, July 30.