The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A rabbit sitting in a field
Creature feature: The prolific eastern cottontail rabbit
8/14/2020Read moreYou've probably seen a cottontail rabbit, but how much do you know about these common creatures?
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A bee on a purple flower
What's the difference?: Bee vs. hornet vs. wasp
8/12/2020Read moreBee, wasp or hornet? Learn the differences among these stinging insects.
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Ruby-throated hummingbird at a feeder
Five fascinating facts about ruby-throated hummingbirds
7/31/2020Read moreThe ruby-throated hummingbird is among the most beloved birds in Will County, and the more you know about them the more you will love them.
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Bats lined up in roof rafters
Myth buster: Bats aren't blind
7/30/2020Read moreBats aren't blind — some can even see better than you — but they also don't need to rely on their vision to navigate in flight because they use echolocation.
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Belted kingfisher in shrubbery
Creature feature: The eye-catching belted kingfisher
7/24/2020Read moreThe belted kingfisher is a common bird that lives across the entire United States, and they often catch the eye and the ear with their top-heavy appearance and loud, rattling calls.
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A bee on coneflower
Nature curiosity: Why do flowers smell good?
7/17/2020Read moreNext time you stop to smell the roses, or any other sweet-smelling flower for that matter, keep in mind that the fragrance isn't intended for you. Instead, the plants are trying to attract insects and birds to aid in pollination.
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Bats lined up in roof rafters
Do you have bats living nearby? State researchers want to know
7/10/2020Read moreIf you know of bats living on your property or nearby, you can submit the information to researchers studying bats in Illinois.
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A butterfly on a green leaf
What's the difference?: Butterfly vs. moth
7/7/2020Read moreIs that a moth or a butterfly? Learn the clues to help you tell the difference.
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Opossum hanging from tree limb with tail wrapped around it
Myth buster: Opossums don't really hang by their tails to sleep
7/2/2020Read moreOpossums are often depicted in cartoons as hanging upside down by their tails, but they aren't really able to do it for any length of time.
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Two river otters standing next to one another on land.
Creature feature: The playful river otter
7/1/2020Read moreRiver otters once nearly disappeared from Illinois, but these playful creatures have rebounded, thanks to a successful conservation program.
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.