The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A person standing next to a tree with more trees and a river in the background.
Meet a Naturalist: Sara Russell, weaving history, culture and nature together
5/28/2024Read moreMeet Sara Russell, an interpretive naturalist at Isle a la Cache Museum.
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Cicadas sit on a branch in a forest.
What was life like when Brood XIII cicadas last emerged? Take a trip down memory lane
5/24/2024Read moreHow much has changed since the Brood XIII cicadas last emerged in 2007? Well, back then the iPhone was brand new. And so was the Netflix streaming service. But not everything is much different than it was in 2007.
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Quiz: Test your beaver brainpower
5/17/2024Read moreWe all know the saying "busy as a beaver," but how much do you really know about these buck-toothed rodents?
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A bolt of lightning striking the ground in the distance.
Nature curiosity: Why does grass look greener after a storm?
5/16/2024Read moreIt's not just rain that helps keep your grass green. Lightning plays a role too.
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Quiz: How smart are you about salamanders?
5/14/2024Read moreTake this quiz to see how much you know about the salamanders that can be found in Will County.
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A cicada on a wall molts from its shell.
Quiz: Test your cicada IQ
5/9/2024Read moreHow much do you know about cicadas? Test your knowledge on this 10-question quiz.
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A side-by-side comparison of a European robin and an American robin both perched on tree branches.
What's the difference?: American robin vs. European robin
5/3/2024Read moreThe robins we are so familiar with are called robins because they reminded early European settlers of the robins they were familiar with from their home countries.
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A person standing against a wooden fence with trees in the background.
Meet the recreation coordinator: Em Wilcher wants to help you connect with nature
4/27/2024Read moreMeet Em Wilcher, the Forest Preserve District's recreation coordinator.
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Can you identify these 15 birds? Take the test to find out
4/26/2024Read moreBirding can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be tricky to get those identifications right.
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A yellow-bellied sapsucker on a tree full of sap wells.
Holey moley: Yellow-bellied sapsuckers leave distinct clues of their presence
4/23/2024Read moreThe yellow-bellied sapsucker is the only woodpecker in the eastern United States that is fully migratory, so their time in northern Illinois can be fleeting. Look for them in the spring and fall as they migrate through our area.
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.