Everyday Environment

Emerald ash borer, bush honeysuckle, bighead carp – if any of those names made you shudder, you’re likely aware of the widespread environmental and economic harm invasive species cause in Illinois.But the first time I passionately spoke with a...

It was a beautiful April Saturday afternoon at the Anita Purves Nature Center in Urbana. Like most spring Saturdays, the grounds of the nature center were full of families from the surrounding area exploring the indoor exhibits and strolling along the boardwalk through the nearby woods. Unlike most...

In the past decade, people living in southern Illinois have seen armadillos in their backyards, in the field, or, in most cases, as roadkill. Sightings of armadillos are becoming common as they continue what appears to be a northward expansion. Armadillos have become established in the region, and...

For 25 years, the Urban Coyote Research Project has been studying the ecology of urban coyotes in the Chicago area. Researchers monitor and examine coyote behavior, health, and genetics through live capture and radio-collaring, led by Dr. Stanley Gehrt from Ohio State University and Chris...

A public fish hatchery is a facility that raises fish from an early life stage, such as an egg or freshly hatched fry, to a larger size, with the intention of stocking them into a body of water where they could eventually be caught by a recreational angler or commercial fisher. In Illinois, public...

Tallgrass prairie is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world, and yet there is hope for the future of the ecosystem that defines Illinois, aka the prairie state. Tallgrass prairie is an open grassland ecosystem characterized by abundant tall grasses like big bluestem, Indian grass, and...