May 15, 2024
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Forest Preserve District of Will County’s nature show expands its TV audience

WJYS reaches 11 million people in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, the district says.

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Learn more about Canada geese and raccoons and a fun winter activity you might want to try on your own during February’s episode of the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s monthly “Buzz” nature show. Pictured is program host Suzy Lyttle, a Forest Preserve program coordinator.

Learn more about Canada geese and raccoons and a fun winter activity you might want to try on your own during February’s episode of the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s monthly “Buzz” nature show. Pictured is program host Suzy Lyttle, a Forest Preserve program coordinator. (Photo provided)

Enjoying nature has just gotten one station easier.

“The Buzz,” a monthly nature show from the Forest Preserve District of Will County, will now be featured on WJYS, thanks to funding from the Nature Foundation of Will County.

WJYS is a TV station that reaches 11 million people in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, according to the district.

“The Buzz” will also expand from a 20-minute show to a 30-minute one, said program host Suzy Lyttle, also a Forest Preserve program coordinator.

“We’re just overwhelmed.” Lyttle said. “This is very exciting. … so many people love the outdoors and the environment.”

People can watch February’s episode on WJYS at 9 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday. February’s show will focus on Canada geese and raccoons and feature “a fun outdoor winter activity viewers might want to try on their own,” according to the release.

Viewers also can watch the program on the Forest Preserve District’s Facebook and YouTube pages on the last Wednesday of the month. In addition, residents in Joliet, Naperville, New Lenox, Romeoville and Tinley Park can catch the show on their local cable stations, Lyttle said.

Lyttle said followers of “The Buzz” comment on how much they enjoy the show. But that’s not the best part for Lyttle.

“The best part is that they’re reaching out and letting us know that they’re going out and trying to find the animals that we’ve talked about on the show,” Lyttle said.

Although the Forest Preserve District of Will County produces the show, topics featured on “The Buzz” “don’t necessarily have borders” since many of the same types of wildlife can be found in the region, Lyttle said.

“We’re talking about tracking wildlife this month,” she said.

The forest preserve first aired “The Buzz” in July 2020 and has produced 20 episodes, Lyttle said. And because nature has so many varied elements, “The Buzz” won’t run out of topics to feature anytime soon, she said.

For information, visit reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz and willcountynature.org.