The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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It's lightning bug season, so be on the lookout for these incredible creatures
6/18/2024Read moreCatching lightning bugs is a summer rite of passage. But do you know how these bugs light up? Or why?
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A side-by-side comparison of a common grackle and a European starling with both birds perched on tree branches.
What's the difference?: Grackle vs. starling
6/18/2024Read moreCan you tell the difference between a grackle and a starling? Which is larger? Which gets white polka dots in the winter? Here is your chance to find out.
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A blue jay splashing in a bird bath.
Help wildlife beat the heat by leaving water out for them
6/17/2024Read moreWhat are you doing to beat the heat this summer? If you can, add leaving water out for wildlife to your list.
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An opossum atop a wooden fence.
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An Asian longhorned tick on a leaf.
New tick sighting in Illinois a reminder to be vigilant
6/7/2024Read moreAn invasive tick called the Asian longhorned tick has been discovered for the first time in Illinois.
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A monarch butterfly at rest on a yellow flower.
Quiz: Are you a monarch master?
6/6/2024Read moreTest you knowledge about monarchs with this 10-question quiz.
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A shiny metallic green six-spotted tiger beetle in the soil.
Six-spotted tiger beetles: Flashes on the forest floor
6/5/2024Read moreIf you catch a glimpse of a flash of green on the forest floor, you might be on the trail of a six-spotted tiger beetle.
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A new moon high in the sky above pinkish clouds just after the sun has set.
Five things about the mysterious moon
6/1/2024Read moreThe moon is a constant in our lives, and it's long been a source of curiosity and inspiration. Here is your chance to learn more about it.
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A double rainbow over a prairie.
Nature curiosity: What causes a rainbow to appear?
5/31/2024Read moreLearn the science behind a rainbow and why you might even be able to see one in the dark.
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A turkey vulture, with its dark body and red head, comes in for landing next to another on a path.
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.