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On the move: How plants disperse seeds
Plants are clever in many ways! One of the most impressive and diverse adaptations is how they spread their seeds.


Who needs winter? Nature does
What purpose does our cold winter season serve? Do we really need winter? What does winter do for nature? So many things.


Beware of the stink in skunk mating season
Love is always in the air, but at this time of the year the love in the air may smell a lot like skunk. That's because we are right in the midst of mating season for striped skunks. And with mating season comes increased activity as male skunks search for female mates.


Why do some animals turn white in winter?
Animals that stay active during winter in cold climates rely on many adaptations to help them survive. For a select few, their winter survival strategies include a unique adaptation: turning white.


This state symbol really rocks!
Illinois has a state bird and a state tree and even a state mineral. Here's your chance to learn all about fluorite.


Weather vs. climate: Related but different
Weather and climate are related, but they are two different things. One simple way to explain the difference is with a well-known saying from American writer Mark Twain: "Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get."


This playlist is a hoot: Learn owls' songs
Eight owl species call Will County home. And most of our local owls are nocturnal, so seeing them is a real treat. More often than not, we know owls are nearby because we hear them singing and calling. But owls don’t all sound the same. They don’t even all hoot. Each species has its own unique song.


A local spin on a classic Christmas carol
You probably know the classic carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," but we are putting a local spin on it by featuring birds we see locally.
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