Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · 12h

Lights out Chicago! Intense bird migration forecast for tonight. If you have exterior Halloween lighting, unplug tonight.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · 4d

Those are INSECTS!!! Nature is wild.

news.wttw.com/2025/10/09/h...

Has Your Tree Sprouted Warts? The Cause Is Absolutely Gall-ing

Ever seen a tree that looks like its leaves have sprouted warts or are suffering from a really bad rash? Welcome to the wild, wonderful world of plant oddities known as galls.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · 7d

This was every sewer grate I passed last night before the really heavy rain fell.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · 14d

Han Solo will be sharing the limelight with fellow honoree David Willard, aka, the ornithologist who’s spent 50 years studying bird collisions, and making Chicago safer. Congrats!

news.wttw.com/2025/09/30/h...

Harrison Ford Will Receive Conservation Award at Field Museum’s Half-Earth Day in October

Harrison Ford is one of the most famous people on the planet. David Willard has spent a career and his retirement cataloguing dead birds. Both will be recognized as conservation superstars during Octo...

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · 14d

Han Solo will be sharing the limelight with fellow honoree David Willard, aka, the ornithologist who’s spent 50 years studying bird collisions, and making Chicago safer. Congrats!

news.wttw.com/2025/09/30/h...

Harrison Ford Will Receive Conservation Award at Field Museum’s Half-Earth Day in October

Harrison Ford is one of the most famous people on the planet. David Willard has spent a career and his retirement cataloguing dead birds. Both will be recognized as conservation superstars during Octo...

news.wttw.com

Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · 17d

We’ve seen the Chicago River is fit for swimming. But how about raising a family?

news.wttw.com/2025/09/22/b...

Baby Fish Shed New Light on Health of the Chicago River in First-of-Its-Kind Study

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.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · 21d

You’ve gotta fight for your right to COMPOOOOOST!

Proposed amendment would prohibit HOAs and landlords from adopting rules that keep people from subscribing to compost services.

news.wttw.com/2025/09/22/c...

Chicagoans’ Right to Compost Could Get a Boost From City Council

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

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · 28d

Will the real allergen please stand up?

news.wttw.com/2025/09/15/r...

Ragweed vs. Goldenrod: One of Them Makes You Sneeze, the Other is the Bee’s Knees

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

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Sep 9

Chicago's porches and balconies could be the next biodiversity hot spots.

news.wttw.com/2025/09/09/p...

Prairie in a Pot: Chicago Plant Scientist Tackles Challenge of Native Gardening on an Urban Balcony

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.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Sep 4

I'm OBSESSED.

"I had no idea that something like this was so close to Chicago, a world-class fossil location."

news.wttw.com/2025/09/04/t...

There’s a Mother Lode of Fossils in Chicago’s Backyard, and It Could Hold Clues to the Evolution of Life on Earth

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...

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Aug 21

Who needs pick-me-up? Who doesn’t?! This Waterlily Weigh-off is a blast! Horticulture gone WILD.

news.wttw.com/2025/08/21/w...

Water Lilies Flex Their Muscles in Global Botanic Garden Weigh-Off Challenge. How Do Chicago’s Contestants Stack Up?

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.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Aug 12

I keep meaning to do something like that.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Aug 12

Gonna need a “No Wake” sign over here. There’s a drain there — somewhere.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Aug 10

Spotted: Dead Man’s Fingers!!!! Such a cool sighting on a neighborhood stroll.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Aug 8

This rodeo is less “ride ‘em, cowboy” and more “yehaw, let’s catch some bad guys.” Whatever it takes in the fight against invasive species.

news.wttw.com/2025/08/07/w...

This Weekend’s Rusty Rodeo Is All About Wrangling the Invasive Rusty Crayfish

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.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Aug 8

If you want to swim in the Chicago River — and yes, this is really happening — the deadline to apply is Monday.

news.wttw.com/2025/08/07/c...

Chicago River Swim Announced for September, and This Time Organizers Have the City’s Approval

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

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Aug 6

It’s a matter of when, not if, armadillos will show up in Chicago. And they may be closer than suspected. 😱😱😱

Climate change has enabled their northward progress. How will local ecosystems respond?

news.wttw.com/2025/08/06/a...

Armadillos Are Coming. Is Chicago Ready?

Armadillos have been making a slow but steady push north. At this point, it’s a matter of when, not if, they’ll turn up in Chicago, according to one expert.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Jul 28

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That’s what community stewards want from the Chicago Park District when it comes to management of natural areas.

news.wttw.com/2025/07/25/c...

Chicago Park District Mowed Down a Thriving Natural Area. Mistake? Nope. Just ‘Systemic Failing’ to Communicate

What does the Chicago Park District owe its community of volunteer natural area stewards? Some say a little respect, and maybe a heads up if the district is going to mow down acres of native plants.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Jul 23

Jack o Lantern or Chanterelle? #mushrooms

Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Jul 22

Yikes! I never venture over there. What a disaster.

Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Jul 22

Tell me more….

Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Jul 22

Ugh, spotted a whole lotta teasel in Legion Park. @lglyndal.bsky.social

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Jul 12

Saw my first hummingbird moth!!! The coolest thing ever. And so many bumblebees loving the bee balm in River Park.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Jul 9

Chicago transit coverup exposed — in a totally delightful way.

news.wttw.com/2025/07/09/b...

Back in Time: Lincoln Square Construction Project Excavates Remnant of Chicago’s Not-so-Distant Streetcar Past

Newly exposed tracks and rail ties, excavated during construction, were part of what was once one of the world’s largest streetcar systems.

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Patty Wetli @pjdubs.bsky.social · Jul 8

I might have gasped when I saw this rooftop garden at Center on Halsted. It takes the term “pollinator-friendly” to new heights. Kudos to the volunteer stewards who’ve worked wonders.

news.wttw.com/2025/07/08/m...

This Magical Rooftop Pollinator Garden in Lakeview Is Normally Off Limits. Enjoy a Rare Glimpse

Only a small group of people have regular access to the enchanting rooftop sanctuary atop the Center on Halsted in Lakeview. Let's take a look.

news.wttw.com

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