The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A monarch on a wildflower.
The monarchs are disappearing, but here's how you can help
6/21/2021Read moreMonarch populations continue to plummet, but there are things you can do to help.
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Mosquitoes swarming in the air.
Hate mosquitoes? Try these tricks to keep the buggers at bay
6/18/2021Read moreFrom herb gardens to bug repellents to Skrillex music, here's a primer to stop mosquitoes from ruining your time outside.
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An algae bloom.
Nature curiosity: What is an algal bloom?
6/17/2021Read moreAlgae are always present in water, but in certain conditions they reproduce quickly, resulting in potentially harmful algal blooms.
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An alligator snapping turtle and a common snapping turtle side by side.
What's the difference?: Common snapping turtle vs. alligator snapping turtle
6/9/2021Read moreCommon snapping turtle or alligator snapping turtle? In Will County, the answer is easy.
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A red-spotted admiral butterfly on a leaf.
Five things about those beautiful butterflies
6/3/2021Read moreBrush up on butterflies with these five fascinating facts.
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A raccoon peering out from a tree cavity.
Is your yard a hotspot for local wildlife? Get it certified
6/2/2021Read moreIf your yard is abuzz with wildlife, see if it meets the criteria to become a certified wildlife habitat.
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A blue-winged teal in flight.
Creature feature: The blue-winged teal
5/28/2021Read moreBlue-winged teals are migratory ducks, one of the last to arrive here each spring and one of the first to head south each fall.
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A purple coneflower growing in a container.
No space? No problem. Small spaces still work for native plants
5/25/2021Read moreYou don't need a big yard — or any yard at all — to add native plants to your outdoor space. A small garden plot or even a container garden are more than enough to attract pollinators and other creatures.
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Native wildflowers include black-eyed Susans.
Let it rain: How rain gardens can help keep our water clean
5/19/2021Read moreAdding a rain garden to your yard can help prevent flooding and also filter pollutants and chemicals out of the water supply.
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A Baltimore oriole on a branch.
Five things to know about our beloved Baltimore orioles
5/13/2021Read moreBaltimore orioles are one of the most anticipated birds each spring. Learn more about them with these five fun facts.
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.