The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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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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A side-by-side comparison of a house mouse and a Norway rat.
What's the difference?: Mouse vs. rat
12/15/2022Read moreIf you see a rodent scurrying across your floor, you may not care if it is a mouse or a rat, but there are several key differences between them. And while some mice and rats are non-native nuisances, native species of both also live in Illinois.
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A red fox.
Five fast facts about resourceful red foxes
12/9/2022Read moreThe red fox has earned its reputation for being clever and cunning.
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A red-bellied woodpecker on a tree branch.
Looking to get into birding? Your local forest preserves are calling
12/7/2022Read moreBirds aren't exactly a rarity in our world, populating just about every type of habitat worldwide in good numbers. But if you want to see a variety of birds or brush up on your local birding knowledge, the Will County forest preserves are a good place to start.
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golden eagle on the left and bald eagle on the right
What's the difference?: Bald eagle vs. golden eagle
11/22/2022Read moreIn their adult plumage, golden eagles and bald eagles are easy to distinguish from one another. As juveniles, however, they look much more similar.
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A pair of sandhill cranes in shallow water.
Five fast facts about loud but lovely sandhill cranes
11/18/2022Read moreSandhill cranes are the supermodels of the bird world, tall, elegant and eye-catching with their gray plumage and crimson eye patches.
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Monee Reservoir at sunrise.
Nature curiosity: Why do lakes turn over each spring and fall?
11/10/2022Read moreEach spring and fall, our lakes undergo a quiet but essential change that keeps them healthy for aquatic species.
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.