The buzz
All Buzz Articles
-
Cellar spider closeup
Things we love: Those human-friendly cellar spiders
5/7/2020Read moreCellar spiders love to live in human habitats, but they're beneficial to us to.
-
Killdeer with two babies underneath her.
Myth buster: Mother birds won't reject their babies if you touch them
5/6/2020Read moreA mother won't reject her babies if you touch them, but most young birds don't need your help.
-
Woman picking up dog poop while her dog watches
Dog poop vs. wildlife poop: Not all animal excrement is equal
5/4/2020Read moreWhen it comes to animal poop, it's not all the same. Dog poop can be harmful to the environment if left behind, but that's not true of wildlife waste. That's why it's important to always pick up after your dog, no matter where you are.
-
Woodchuck walking across grass
Things we love: Those layabout woodchucks
5/1/2020Read morePhotographing wildlife can be an adventure, but the woodchuck is an easy subject.
-
Person spraying pesticides on lawn
When it comes to our lawns, many of us are keeping up with the Joneses
4/28/2020Read moreThe need to have a perfect lawn has to do with peer pressure, according to a recent study. But doing so isn't really good for the environment.
-
A common grackle perched on a fence
Things we love: Those exquisite common grackles
4/27/2020Read moreCommon grackles might seem ordinary, their name even implies it. But while these birds may be common, there is something quite special about them.
-
Garter snake slithering through leaf litter
Creature feature: The ubiquitous garter snake
4/26/2020Read moreThe garter snake is the most common snake in the United States, living from coast to coast. But these snakes are still interesting creatures, despite being ubiquitous.
-
Six-lined racerunner on dirt background
Things we love: The surprising six-lined racerunner
4/24/2020Read moreSometimes, the things we come to love are the things that surprise us. Learning the six-lined racerunner lives in Will County is what made interpretive naturalist Erin Ward fall in love with them.
-
A foggy forest
Nature curiosity: Where does fog come from?
4/21/2020Read moreYou woke up to a blanket of fog covering the neighborhood, but where did it come from?
-
Green mayapple plants on the forest floor
Things we love: Those magical mayapples
4/20/2020Read moreThe blooms of spring wildflowers can be fleeting, and that's certainly true of the mayapple. But what makes this plant all the more special is that its flowers hide under umbrella-like leaves, making them even harder to catch a glimpse of.
Current Headlines
Lambs Woods closed, trees down in preserves after Monday's storm
Lambs Woods Preserve in Lockport is closed due to a large tree blocking the parking lot after Monday's storm. Also, trees are down and partially blocking trails in other preserves. The cleanup is underway and preserve visitors are urged to use caution as the work continues.
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.