The buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
A rose-breasted grosbeak perched on a branch with a seed on its mouth.
The rose-breasted grosbeak: A pretty bird with a pretty song
6/24/2024With their recognizable namesake plumage, rose-breasted grosbeaks are a welcome sight. Learn what else makes these birds special.
-
A snapping turtle laying on a log above the water with its shell covered in duckweed and other vegetation.
Quiz: Are you savvy about snapping turtles?
6/21/2024Find out by answering these 10 questions.
-
It's lightning bug season, so be on the lookout for these incredible creatures
6/18/2024Catching lightning bugs is a summer rite of passage. But do you know how these bugs light up? Or why?
-
A side-by-side comparison of a common grackle and a European starling with both birds perched on tree branches.
What's the difference?: Grackle vs. starling
6/18/2024Can you tell the difference between a grackle and a starling? Which is larger? Which gets white polka dots in the winter? Here is your chance to find out.
-
A blue jay splashing in a bird bath.
Help wildlife beat the heat by leaving water out for them
6/17/2024What are you doing to beat the heat this summer? If you can, add leaving water out for wildlife to your list.
-
An opossum atop a wooden fence.
Quiz: Are you an expert on opossums?
6/8/2024Find out by answering these 10 questions.
-
An Asian longhorned tick on a leaf.
New tick sighting in Illinois a reminder to be vigilant
6/7/2024An invasive tick called the Asian longhorned tick has been discovered for the first time in Illinois.
-
A monarch butterfly at rest on a yellow flower.
Quiz: Are you a monarch master?
6/6/2024Test you knowledge about monarchs with this 10-question quiz.
-
A shiny metallic green six-spotted tiger beetle in the soil.
Six-spotted tiger beetles: Flashes on the forest floor
6/5/2024If you catch a glimpse of a flash of green on the forest floor, you might be on the trail of a six-spotted tiger beetle.
-
A new moon high in the sky above pinkish clouds just after the sun has set.
Five things about the mysterious moon
6/1/2024The moon is a constant in our lives, and it's long been a source of curiosity and inspiration. Here is your chance to learn more about it.
Current Headlines
Preserves, visitor centers to close for Christmas holiday
All forest preserve visitors centers will be closed after noon on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and all day on Wednesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday. Also, all preserves, including dog parks, will be closed on Dec. 25.
Mark your calendar for exciting 2025 events
The Forest Preserve District's 2025 calendar is chock full of exciting events and exhibitions ranging from Eagle Watch and a Smokey Bear art exhibition in January to Pelican Party and Woods Walk in the fall.