The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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Four raccoons climbing a tree
Things we love: Those rascally raccoons
4/16/2020Read moreRaccoons have a well-earned reputation for being trash bandits, but they deserve our respect too.
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Bloodroot in bloom on forest floor
Things we love: The aptly named bloodroot
4/13/2020Read moreSpring wildflowers are beautiful but fleeting. Keep your eyes trained to the ground when out for a walk to see if you can spot bloodroot, a fascinating ephemeral.
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View of lightning strike off in the distance
Myth buster: Lightning can strike the same place twice
4/8/2020Read moreLightning can — and will — strike the same place twice, so always head indoors when thunder roars.
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A crappie fish being held in a hand
Things we love: Those fiercely protective crappies
4/7/2020Read moreSpring is spawning season for crappies, which offers an opportunity to get a good look at these fish.
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A blue-spotted salamander draped on top of a down log
Creature feature: The secretive blue-spotted salamander
4/6/2020Read moreHave you ever seen a blue-spotted salamander? Most people haven't, but they do live in Will County. Finding one is a matter of knowing where to look.
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.