Everyday Environment Blog

The spring rains have come, and the streams are running. Gliding over the somewhat cloudy waters of a creek in west-central Illinois, I took my kayak out to explore the changing landscape.  A few years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to the wild world of freshwater mussels.  So,...

What is a Master Naturalist? We get that question a lot at University of Illinois Extension. Master Naturalists are many things: Advocates, volunteers, teachers, and environmental stewards.   Around the state and in your backyard,...

On April 8, 2024, parts of southern Illinois will darken as the moon passes in front of the sun causing a total eclipse. The eclipse has about a 115-mile-wide path cutting northeast across North America from...

The lakes, rivers, and streams of Illinois are places of beauty. They’re also essential to life. Without clean water, there are no picnics on the beach, no fishing or taking the boat out, no geese paddling or ducks dabbling, and in worst-case scenarios, no water coming out of the faucet whenever...

Late winter and early spring are critical transition periods for trees, making the shift from dormancy to active growth. Proper care during these seasons sets the foundation for healthy, vibrant trees throughout the year. Late-winter care along with spring practices, will help trees transition and...

The transition zone between winter and spring is a fascinating time to explore the wildlife of Illinois.  Here are a few of the neat opportunities for watching wildlife in early spring. Want to learn more? Check out the...

The relentless wind on February nights sends skiffs of snow sliding across the rural landscape of Illinois. Average temperatures this time of year dip into the low 20s prior to dawn. For extra balance, a young wild turkey rests its breastbone on the branch of a northern red oak tree where it is...

Every fall, nature lovers from around the state lace up their hiking boots and head out into the field for the annual Master Naturalist State Conference. The gathering is a chance for Illinois Extension staff and volunteers to share ideas and gain new skills, tools, and programs they can bring home...

Most cavities in a tree are caused by some type of living organism, either an animal or a pathogen of some sort. Some cavities will only be found in dead trees or a portion of a live tree with dead wood. Other cavities can be in otherwise completely healthy trees. Let’s take a look at some of the...

Gardens are full of critters – insects, squirrels, alligators? Last month, a Decatur woman was watering her flowers when she discovered an unusual reptile...