Stories by Patty Wetli

The invasive spotted lanternfly appears to be making inroads in Chicago. So far, there have been more reports of the bug in September 2025 alone than there were in all of 2024.

Half a billion birds will be on the move across the U.S. tonight as migration begins to hit its peak, with some 25 million expected to pass over Illinois, putting the entire state on high alert to reduce collision risks.

Applications are now open for the city’s official Christmas tree, which will stand at the center of celebrations in Millennium Park.

The Chicago Department of Water Management is sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for lead line replacement, with little progress made in terms of swapping out the toxic pipes. City Council members want to know why.

The Chicago City Council could make it easier for people to keep organic waste out of landfill.

The Chicago River has proven itself fit for swimming. But what about raising a family? No one’s ever tallied the number of larval fish in the waterway, until now.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced nearly $1 million in grants to support stewardship activities in natural areas across the state. Organizations in Cook, Lake and McHenry counties were among the recipients.

According to Climate Central, summer temperatures are extending deeper into fall in more than 90% of major U.S. cities.

If your fall allergies have kicked in, ragweed is the likely culprit, but goldenrod often takes the blame.

Jeremie Fant, director of conservation at Chicago Botanic Garden, has spent 15 years experimenting with growing native plants in containers on his 10-foot by 5-foot Chicago condo balcony.

Chicago’s Urban Birding Festival is back in 2025 with dozens of field trips designed to spotlight the city’s avian diversity. Registration closes this Sunday.

Mazon Creek is one of the most significant fossil sites in the world, and it’s in Chicago’s backyard. The Field Museum is behind a push to reinvigorate research at the site, with the help of community scientists.

Despite a long stretch of hot and humid days early in the month, August as a whole finished with below normal temperatures, according to the Chicago office of the National Weather Service.

It's the final weekend of the summer to enjoy swimming at Chicago's outdoor pools and lakefront beaches, which will close after Labor Day on Monday.

Locally foraged fungi — in all their fascinating, weird and beautiful-ugly forms — will take center stage Sunday at the Illinois Mycological Association’s annual mushroom show.

On Thursday, Brookfield Zoo announced that Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female, will be making the move from the Oregon Zoo to Chicago’s suburbs, where she’ll also be paired up with 5-year-old Hudson.

Now in its third year, the Waterlily Weigh-Off has bulked up to more than 40 competitors across eight countries. The winner will be announced Aug. 28.

A new report explores how unprecedented levels of consumption by heavy water users — namely “hyperscale” data centers — could lead to conflicts over and even shortages of water, even in the Great Lakes.

63rd Street Beach sees heavy recreational use while also managing to support diverse wildlife.

A bright moon will make it harder than usual to see the meteors as they streak across the night sky. But experts say it’s still worth a try.

Chicago’s bungalows may be modest in size, but that doesn’t keep their owners from having grand ambitions when it comes to gardening.

The district's goal is to continue to provide Chicagoans with cooling options to the extent possible, even as many of its lifeguards head back to school.

The event will mark the first open water swim in the Chicago River in nearly 100 years, according to organizers.

On Saturday, people of all ages are invited to join the rodeo in Kane County and wrangle the rusty crayfish, an invasive species that's infiltrated local waterways.

Elizabeth Babcock comes to the Adler Planetarium following a short stint as the founding director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker announced the creation of a new endowment for Illinois state parks, with the intention of providing a permanent source of funds that can't be redirected or taken away.