Join us for weekly sessions on environmental topics presented by University of Illinois Extension's Energy & Environmental Stewardship Team! These webinars will both provide new information on natural resources and help you learn how to make small changes in your lifestyle to have a positive impact on the environment. From lawn care, native plants, and managing home waste to understanding coyote behavior and atmospheric optics, there is never a shortage of new things to learn about your everyday environment. See flyer for more details.
The schedule of webinars is below and registration is free! Please register for each individual webinar you are interested in attending at their respective registration link.
Sky Spectacles
April 9, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Join us and learn why we see a blue sky; why twilight is longer near the poles; and what sun dogs, halos, mirages, and other atmospheric optics are. Presenter: Duane Friend.
Coyotes
April 16, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Coyotes have to be one of the most misunderstood species in Illinois. Cunning, social, resilient, opportunistic, faithful, adaptive, shy, successful, hated, inspirational: those words have all been used to describe coyotes. They conjure up mixed feelings of fear, anger, and for some, wild beauty. Coyotes are often blamed for many things they do and do not do. Nonetheless, they might be worthy the title of best survivalist despite the human population. Presenter: Peggy Doty.
Planting for the Pollinators
April 23, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
How can you support pollinators in your yard? Learn what types of pollinators you can attract to your yard and discover the right native plants attract butterflies, native bees, moths, and more. Presenter: Erin Garrett.
Natural Lawn Care Part 1: Assessment
April 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Assess the health and prepare for environmentally-friendly lawns. Participants will learn tools and techniques to better assess lawn so as they make an informed natural lawn care plan. Presenters: Abigail Garofalo, Gemini Bhalsod, and Allison Neubauer.
Natural Lawn Care Part 2: Strategies
May 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Learn strategies to understand your lawn, as well as learn tools to create a natural lawn care action plan. Presenters: Abigail Garofalo, Gemini Bhalsod, and Allison Neubauer.
Managing Waste in the Home
May 14, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Have you ever thought about how much trash your household generates? Learn about the management of municipal solid waste in the US, materials that can be recycled or composted, locating recycling and composting facilities near you, and strategies for decreasing household waste. Presenter: Ashley Belle.
Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Biennial Report
May 21, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
How is water quality in Illinois? The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy guides the state's efforts to improve water quality at home and downstream by reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels in our lakes, streams, and rivers. The strategy lays out a comprehensive suite of best management practices for reducing nutrient loads from wastewater treatment plants and urban and agricultural runoff. Learn how the strategy has progressed. Presenters: Eliana Brown, Kate Gardiner, Haley Haverback, and Jennifer Woodyard.
Woodpeckers in Illinois
May 28, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Woodpeckers are incredibly unique and have been around for millions of years. They require specific habitats and are very noticeable by their sound and movement. There are seven species of woodpeckers utilizing Illinois habitats. What many may not know is how critical woodpeckers are to some of our common backyard birds. Register for the webinar and hear the history of woodpeckers, how to identify them, and why they are important for many other species in the environment. Presenter: Peggy Doty.
Planning a Multipurpose Pond
June 4, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Thinking about building a pond on your property for wildlife, fishing, livestock, stormwater containment, fire protection or other reasons? Not sure where to start on site selection, sizing, estimating drainage area, overflow needs, embankment requirements, etc.? Join us for a discussion of important considerations for designing and building a multipurpose pond. Presenter: Stanley (Jay) Solomon.
Explaining the Greenhouse Effect
June 11, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Most people have heard about the Greenhouse Effect, but many would not feel comfortable explaining the science behind it. This webinar discusses in simple terms the basic scientific processes that make the greenhouse effect occur and will explain the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect. It will also cover how atmospheric gas concentrations have changed in the last 150 years. Presenter: Duane Friend.
Home Energy Check-up
June 18, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Many of us are all too familiar with that feeling of dread when the electric bill comes each month -- just how much electricity did we use? How high is our bill going to be? Now is a great time to take a look around your home to better understand how you use electricity and to make some simple changes to help reduce your electric bill. Presenters: Ashley Belle and Erin Garrett,
All About Clouds
June 25, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
See various types of clouds, including unique clouds only seen in a few locations and what weather is expected with each variety. Presenter: Duane Friend.
Webinar Archives
Each program is recorded and uploaded to Illinois Extension YouTube channel. To allow time for closed captioning, please check the YouTube channel 30 days after the scheduled program.