Hundreds of cities around the world will take part in the friendly City Nature Challenge competition — Friday through Monday — to see who can identify the most biodiversity.
Stories by patty wetli
Imani Is Back at Montrose Beach. Will This Be the Year Chicago’s Piping Plover Bachelor Finds a Mate?
Imani is the son of Chicago's beloved late piping plover lovebirds, Monty and Rose.
Get Ready to Clean Out the Garage. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site Coming to South Suburbs
For the second year in a row, the Cook County government has celebrated Earth Day by announcing a new south suburban recycling facility aimed at taking some of the nastiest garbage out of the waste stream.
The Bluebells Are Here. Catch These Short-Lived Beauties Before They’re Gone
These gorgeous spring ephemerals love woodland habitats near creeks, and they’ll spread like a carpet on the forest floor. But only for a couple of weeks, and then they’re gone.
Sour Cherries: Weird Weather Stunts Blossoms in Jackson Park for Second Year in a Row
The Cherry Blossom trees in Jackson Park won’t reach peak bloom this year, the Chicago Park District said.
Look Who's Coming to the DNC: Stephen Colbert Bringing Live 'Late Show' Broadcasts to Chicago
Stephen Colbert, host of CBS's "Late Show," announced Wednesday night he'll be broadcasting live from Chicago during the convention, Aug. 19-22.
Advocates Say Chicago’s New Sustainable Development Guidelines Fail to Protect Birds: ‘That’s Shameful’
Spring migration is still weeks away from reaching its peak in Chicago and already the tiny body bags are piling up, filled with birds killed in collisions with the city’s glass buildings.
WTTW News Explains: Why Will There Be So Many Cicadas in Illinois This Year?
In case you haven’t heard, the cicadas are coming, and things are about to get loud. WTTW News explains.
G’Day, Chicago! Koalas Coming to Brookfield Zoo, Debuting Memorial Day Weekend
For the first time in its 90-year history, Brookfield Zoo Chicago will welcome koalas.
Baby Bald Eagles Confirmed in 3 of 4 Nests in Will County Forest Preserves
Sharp-eyed observers have now confirmed hatchlings in three of the four bald eagle nests being monitored on Will County forest preserve property.
Lighting Upgrades Will Create Mini-Blackout on Museum Campus, Lakefront Path This Weekend
Lights will be out in parking lots and along portions of the lakefront bike and pedestrian trails from 7 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Great Lakes Beaches Might Look Clean, But They’re Littered With Tiny Plastics, New Report Says
Alliance for the Great Lakes has collected 20 years’ worth of data from beach cleanups. Tiny plastic trash is a huge problem.
EPA Sets New Rule on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water. What Does It Mean for Chicago?
Chicago’s water has been tested numerous times for the presence of so-called “forever chemicals,” and the substances have never been detected.
First Great Lakes Piping Plover Returns to Michigan, Watch Is On for Chicago
Wildlife officials are reporting that the season’s first Great Lakes piping plover, known as YibBee, has returned to his breeding grounds at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Will arrivals in Chicago be far behind?
Here’s Where to Recycle Those Eclipse Glasses (Or You Can Save Them for 2099)
Instead of trashing those vital eclipse glasses, recycle them at any one of dozens of Chicago locations.
‘Watershed’ Moment for Chicago River System as Tougher Rules Take Effect for City’s Sewer Discharges
“Chicago owns the most outfalls that discharge into the river system, and controlling what comes out of them is essential to reach our shared vision for a fishable-swimmable river that is accessible to everyone,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River.
Traveling to Carbondale for the Eclipse? IDOT Says ‘Pack a 10-Gallon Tank of Patience’
The Illinois Department of Transportation learned a lot from the traffic jam “hangover” that followed 2017’s solar eclipse: mainly to warn motorists to expect gridlock.
Preservationist-Backed Study Finds Promontory Point Rock Wall is Good for Another 100 Years as Efforts Continue to Fight Off Demolition
An independent engineering study has concluded Promontory Point’s limestone blocks are still functioning as ample shoreline protection, which refutes a longstanding position held by the Army Corps of Engineers.
MWRD Primary Results Are in: Waller Defeats Pogorzelski, Moves on to General Election
Challenger Sharon Waller has bested incumbent Daniel “Pogo” Pogorzelski in the Democratic race to claim a seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s board of commissioners, according to unofficial results from the Chicago Board of Elections released Tuesday evening.
The Great American Eclipse: Your Guide to the Upcoming Solar Show in Chicago, Downstate Illinois and Everywhere Else
The Great American Eclipse is almost here. Here’s how to make the most of the experience in Illinois and the Chicago area.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Beloved Gorilla Matriarch, Bana, Has Died
The 29-year-old gorilla was diagnosed with congestive cardiac failure in early March and after an “abrupt decline” in her condition, “the difficult decision was made to euthanize her,” zoo officials said.
Shedd’s Rescued Otter Pup Has a Newly Announced Name and It’s a Nod to His Small-Town Roots
The rescued otter pup, now nearly 6 months old, was named in honor of his Alaskan roots.
Advocates Cry Foul Over Forthcoming Policy to Make Chicago’s Buildings Safe for Birds, Call Lack of Mandatory Requirements ‘Enraging’
In mid-April, the Chicago Department of Planning and Development is set to release an update to the city’s sustainable development policy. No section of the policy will make bird-friendly design mandatory.
Morton Arboretum Names New Director of Chicago Region Trees Initiative
CRTI connects organizations — public and private — across the seven-county Chicago area to promote the importance of trees and improve the quality of the region's tree canopy.
11 Shot, None Killed in Weekend Violence in Chicago: Police
For the first time in at least six months, Chicago recorded zero weekend homicides due to gun violence, according to police.
MWRD Commissioner Race Too Close to Call Between Sharon Waller, Daniel Pogorzelski
Challenger Sharon Waller holds a slight lead over incumbent Daniel “Pogo” Pogorzelski in the race to claim a seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s board of commissioners, with more than 100,000 outstanding vote-by-mail ballots still uncounted.
