The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A woolly bear caterpillar on wood.
Nature curiosity: Why don't woolly bear caterpillars freeze to death?
2/10/2022Read moreWoolly bear caterpillars can't predict how bad the winter weather will be, but they do have a pretty cool way to survive even the coldest of temperatures.
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A snow-covered scene with a bridge over a waterway.
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A raccoon hanging on a bird feeder in a tree.
How to keep raccoons away from your bird feeders
2/4/2022Read moreRaccoons can be just as troublesome as squirrels around bird feeders, but there's a few tricks to keep them away.
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An aerial view of a frozen pond.
Nature curiosity: Why do frozen lakes creak or groan?
2/3/2022Read moreHave you ever heard an ice-covered lake creaking or groaning? It's normal in winter because of how temperature changes affect ice.
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An aerial view of a snow-covered bridge in a forest.
Nature curiosity: How do trees survive winter?
2/3/2022Read moreEven in a mild winter, trees have a lot to endure. How do they do it?
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A partially frozen stream in a snowy landscape.
Why is the world so quiet when it snows? The science behind the silence
1/31/2022Read moreIt's not just a myth that the world seems more quiet after a snowfall. There's science behind the silence.
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A snow-covered trail bridge.
Why is snowfall so hard to accurately predict?
1/25/2022Read moreThose snow forecasts you see can often be much ado about nothing, because snow is notoriously hard to accurately forecast.
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A deer in the snow.
Nature curiosity: How do deer stay warm in winter?
1/24/2022Read moreDeer can't escape the cold during a long, harsh winter, so how do they survive? They rely on a combination of adaptations and behavioral changes to make it through the cold winter months.
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Salt on a sidewalk.
You're probably using too much salt to deice your driveway
1/22/2022Read moreWinter's wacky weather keeps us on our toes, but before you stock up on salt to keep your driveway and sidewalks clear, make sure you know how much you really need to use.
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A robin perched on a branch.
Nature curiosity: Where do robins go in the winter?
1/21/2022Read moreWhere do robins go in winter? Some go nowhere at all, but you still may not see them very often.
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.