The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A robin standing in grass.
Five fast facts about our most familiar bird, the American robin
2/15/2023Read moreRobins are among our most common and familiar birds, known to almost all even at a young age. But there's more to them than meets the eye.
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Two clusters of zebra mussels on a rock in the water.
What's the difference?: Non-native vs. invasive species
2/7/2023Read moreNot all the plants and animals that grow and thrive in their ecosystems belong there. Some are non-native, and among those are some that are considered invasive.
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A red fox standing on a large rock in the dark.
Nature curiosity: Why are some animals nocturnal?
1/27/2023Read moreWhy do some animals prowl around under the cover of darkness? Because it helps them survive and thrive.
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A snowy owl with wings outstretched on the snowy ground.
Five fast facts about stunning snowy owls
1/20/2023Read moreHave you ever been lucky enough to spot a snowy owl? Learn what makes these owls such a prized find.
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A side-by-side comparison of a gray squirrel and a fox squirrel.
What's the difference: Eastern fox squirrel vs. eastern gray squirrel
1/11/2023Read moreThe sight of a squirrel zipping up, down and all around our trees and forests is a familiar one to most people, but the zany antics of these critters can be the work of one of two species: fox squirrels or gray squirrels. Learn the difference between them.
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A white-tailed deer in the snow.
Feeding deer in winter: You're doing more harm than good
1/9/2023Read moreThink you're doing the deer a favor by feeding them in winter? You're actually doing them much more harm than good.
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An American mink alert in a grassy field.
Five fast facts about secretive American minks
12/30/2022Read moreThat furry, brown critter scurrying along the shoreline might just be an American mink, one of our lesser known semiaquatic mammals.
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A hairless Sphinx cat standing on a rock.
Nature curiosity: Do other mammals go bald like humans?
12/22/2022Read morePlenty of humans go bald, but do other animals lose their hair as they age?
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Horseshoe crabs on the shore.
You may bleed red, but not all animals do
12/21/2022Read moreRed blood certainly isn't unique in the animal kingdom, but it's far from universal.
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A trio of whooping cranes flying over a wetland.
Why are whooping cranes still so rare?
12/16/2022Read moreThe story of the whooping crane is a troubled one that nearly ended with these majestic birds' extinction. And while small populations of these cranes still do exist today, they haven't experienced the conservation successes that we've seen with other birds, like bald eagles and great egrets.
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Everyone is welcome at Four Rivers for All Abilities on July 24
Enjoy an outing for people of all abilities at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center during Four Rivers for All Abilities on July 24. Take part in hands-on activities, tour the building and enjoy being in nature as a family, group or individual.
Lake Chaminwood loop trail section closed for path connection, fishing pier project
A portion of the Lake Chaminwood loop trail in Channahon is closed for a Forest Preserve District path connection and fishing pier project.