The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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View of a wetland at Rock Run Preserve
What's the difference?: Wetland vs. marsh vs. swamp
6/11/2020Wetlands link land and water, creating a crucial habitat with many important roles.
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A 13-lined ground squirrel on the ground
Creature feature: The often-misidentified 13-lined ground squirrel
6/8/2020That chipmunk you see may be a 13-lined ground squirrel. Learn how to tell them apart and everything you need to know about these ground squirrels.
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Female rabbit nursing its young
Breeding like rabbits? What does that mean anyway?
6/1/2020Rabbits are well-known for their ability to reproduce, but what makes them more prolific than other animals?
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Natural surface trail at Thorn Creek Woods
Skip the sunbathing and give forest bathing a try instead
5/28/2020Instead of sunbathing, give forest bathing a try. All you need is a little free time and access to a forested or tree-covered spot.
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Fox snake on a path
Myth buster: Snakes are not slimy
5/27/2020Another myth busted: Snakes are not slimy at all.
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Multiple worms on pavement
Nature curiosity: Why do worms come to the surface when it rains?
5/26/2020If you've ever taken a walk outside after it rains, you know that worms tend to congregate above ground after wet weather. The reason why is a mystery, although scientists have a few theories.
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Baby opossums on their mother's back
Things we love: Those precious possums
5/21/2020Opossums deserve our love and respect because they provide many benefits, and they're pretty cute too.
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Two men in a fishing boat
Hey anglers, don't dump your unused bait. It can ruin our waterways
5/19/2020Dumping unused bait in the water seems like an innocent way to end a fishing trip, but it is detrimental to the health of our waterways.
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Green heron perched on a branch
Creature feature: The clever green heron
5/18/2020The green heron isn't as well known or as frequently seen as the great blue heron, but these birds are interesting in their own right.
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Red microarthropod on the ground
Things we love: Those teeny, tiny microarthropods
5/14/2020Tiny but mighty microarthropods are tiny bugs that do a lot of good despite their small size.
Current Headlines
Be a Trailblazer turns outdoor fun into a family affair
Liz Lyons of New Lenox has turned the Forest Preserve District’s Be a Trailblazer challenge into a fun-filled family tradition. From dancing in the rain to spotting tiny critters on the trail, challenge missions have become cherished memories.
Wild Science: Rare mussel search in Will County aids DuPage restocking effort
Forest preserve staff from Will and DuPage counties recently searched a Will County creek for rare mussels to support a native species restoration project. The collaboration could help reintroduce the ellipse mussel to DuPage waterways, where it has disappeared.