The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A fox snake slithering on a trail
What's the difference?: Fox snake vs. eastern massasauga rattlesnake
4/4/2020Read moreIs that snake you saw a dangerous eastern massasauga rattlesnake or a nonvenomous fox snake? If you saw it in Will County, it was a fox snake. The massasauga does not live in Will County. In fact, no venomous snakes do.
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Yellow and green lichen on a log
Things we love: Those lovely lichens
4/2/2020Read moreLichens are little known and not well understood, but they deserve our appreciation.
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Blue-spotted salamander on a log
Things we love: Those sneaky salamanders
3/27/2020Read moreWhen it comes to salamanders, a big part of the thrill is the hunt.
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Red-headed woodpecker perched on a branch
Nature curiosity: Why don't woodpeckers get brain damage?
3/23/2020Read moreWoodpeckers can peck up to 12,000 times a day! So how do they do it without hurting their brains?
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White-breasted nuthatch eating on a feeder
How to turn your yard into a haven for birds
3/20/2020Read moreWant to attract birds to your yard? You'll need to meet their basic needs: food, shelter and water.
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Great blue heron in the water on the hunt
Things we love: Those gangling great blue herons
3/19/2020Read moreBirds in Will County come in all shapes, sizes and colors, but it doesn't get any better than spotting a great blue heron gliding over a preserve or patiently stalking its prey on the ground.
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Spring peeper frog on a branch
Creature feature: The season-announcing spring peeper
3/18/2020Read moreSoon, spring peepers will be calling out in the night, letting us know spring has arrived.
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A mosquito biting a person's arm
A world without mosquitoes? It's not as great an idea as it may seem
3/11/2020Read moreA world without mosquitoes might sound nice, but removing one species from its habitat can have far-ranging and devastating consequences.
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Dead great blue heron hanging by fishing line
This dead great blue heron Is hanging from a tree due to human carelessness
3/9/2020Read moreThe photo isn't easy to look at, but it's important to share it to raise awareness of how deadly the trash being left behind in the preserves can be to wildlife.
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A queen snake slithering on a leafy branch
What's the difference?: Reptile vs. amphibian
3/8/2020Read moreIs a snake a reptile or an amphibian? How about a frog? These two classes of animals have some similarities, but some key characteristics also set them apart.
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.