The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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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.
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A crow on a branch.
Five things about misunderstood crows
11/22/2023Read moreCrows 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?
11/17/2023Read moreThe 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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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
11/13/2023Read moreTheir 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?
11/3/2023Read moreBeing 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
11/2/2023Read moreWhat 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
11/1/2023Read moreMeet 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
10/27/2023Read moreWhat 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
10/24/2023Read moreIt should come as no surprise that wood ducks love trees, but that's not all that is unique about them.
Current Headlines
Joliet Junction Trail section to close in December for Interstate 80 work
A section of the Joliet Junction Trail is scheduled to be closed for several days in December due to an Interstate 80 improvement project. The trail will be closed from McDonough Street to Moen Avenue.
Healing With Nature: Crete man battling cancer finds health and hope on paths at Goodenow Grove
Tom Scott of Crete is giving thanks this year for the people in his life who pushed him to start walking at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve as he was recovering from cancer. The daily hikes have given him better health, hope for the future and a new appreciation of nature.