Whether you're managing your family's farm or you're an avid supporter of green spaces in urban areas, interest in expanding our understanding of the natural environment has never been higher. With an increased focus on sustainability, safety, and innovation, what we know about shepherding our energy and environmental resources has evolved rapidly in the past decade.
If you have questions about best practices in environmental stewardship, you'll appreciate that our information is based on peer-reviewed science - the gold standard in determining the credibility and reliability of information.
Volunteer Locally
Our local land managers and environmental educators need your help! Find out ways to volunteer locally and earn the title of Master Naturalist through our volunteer training program.
Insects, Plants, and Wildlife
- Emerald Ash Borer: Learn how to identify ash trees and spot possible Emerald Ash Borers and then explore options for controlling the problem. Available in Spanish.
- Gypsy Moth Reporting Site: Learn about gypsy moths and how to control them.
- Living with Deer in Illinois: This website provides residents of Illinois with information about how to coexist with Illinois deer.
- Pollinator Garden - Native Plants for Attracting Pollinators: This guide features a plant plan that creates year-round interest for people and extends the foraging season for pollinators.
Educational lessons
- Exploring the Secret Life of Trees: Designed to help 3rd to 5th-grade students gain an appreciation of trees, observe trees in their everyday lives, and develop an interest in discovering more about trees. Available in Spanish.
- I Think Green: Youth investigate how living things interact with each other and with their environment.
- Natural Resources and the Environment: Explore how plants, animals, and humans interact within ecosystems and how they each influence one another.
- Trees are Terrific: Designed to help children ages 5 to 8 gain an appreciation of trees, observe trees in their everyday lives and develop an interest in learning more about trees. Available in Spanish.
Weather and Climate
- Disaster Resources: Quick access to information on disaster preparedness and recovery.
- Illinois State Climatologist Office: Weather and climate data and maps.
- Midwest Regional Climate Center: Services and research help to better explain climate and its impacts on the Midwest.
- Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring Program (WARM): Research and data about Illinois conditions.
- Weather Video Series: Learn all about the weather with this informative video series.
- Winter Storm Resource Center: Tools for coping with severe winter weather.
- Illinois Drought Resources: Learn how to deal with heat and drought in Illinois.
Educational Lessons
- Riding the Winds with Kalani: This weather adventure teaches about temperature, clouds, precipitation, and Earth movements. For K-2nd grade students. Available in Spanish, Chinese and Korean.
- Shake, Rattle, and Slide: Learn about the work of earthquakes, volcanoes, and glaciers. Intended for 5th-8th grade students. Available in Spanish.
- TreeHouse Weather Kids: Learn about why the weather changes, how we predict the weather, and how weather can cause great destruction. Intended for 5th-8th grade students. Available in Spanish.
