528 Bevier Hall MC 184 905 S. Goodwin Ave Urbana IL 61801
Emily Steele is a skilled science communicator with a background in journalism and more than 15 years of experience in storytelling. She serves on the Illinois Extension communications team, supporting natural resources, environment, and energy staff statewide, including the Master Naturalist program, the Voice of the Wild podcast, the Everyday Environment series, the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, and a range of topic areas, including weather and climate, forestry, wildlife, and invasive species. Her work includes writing, copy editing, social media management, project management, and website development.
She serves on the Illinois Extension communications team, supporting natural resources, environment, and energy staff statewide, including the Master Naturalist program, the Voice of the Wild podcast, the Everyday Environment series, the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, and a range of topic areas, including weather and climate, forestry, and invasive species., graphic design, and video work.
Emily has a M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from University of Illinois and a B.A. in Journalism from Eastern Illinois University. She joined Illinois Extension in 2015 as a Publicity Promotion Specialist in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties. Prior to that, she worked as a reporter, copy editor, and designer at several newspapers. She volunteers with her comfort dog Sophie at nursing homes, schools, and libraries in the Decatur area and, in the summer, puts in a lot of miles exploring Illinois on a bicycle.
Professional memberships
Awards
Individual Extension Excellence, 2025
Telling the Extension Story
Natural Resources, Environment and Energy
Nutrient Loss and Agriculture
- Agriculture, environmental leaders urge continued collective action on nutrient pollution prevention
- Illinois continues work to improve waterways by reducing nutrient pollution
- Extension grows agriculture connections at Farm Progress Show
- Asking for help just got easier with no-cost mental health access for agricultural community
- The spice is right? Researchers explore growing ginger in Illinois
- Crop scientists explore using predator insects to eat pests in high tunnels
- Corn fields add to muggy, humid Midwestern temps
Invasive Species
- Frequent prescribed burns help young oaks thrive despite invasive grasses, Illinois study finds
- Nine new invasive species regulated in Illinois with expansion of Exotic Weeds Act
- Online and on the ground, new program empowers Illinois communities to tackle invasive species
- Report spotted lanternflies in Illinois to help slow the spread of invasive pest
- Hunters, meat processors, and food pantries aim to solve hunger
- Keep an eye out for invasive jumping worms in the garden
Climate
- New Extension initiatives empower Illinois to meet the challenges of changing climate
- Shifting USDA plant hardiness map reflects changing climate, changes for plants
Energy and Environment
- Reduce energy consumption and stay safe during summer heat waves
- Know before you throw, new law expands free battery recycling options
- Keep pharmaceuticals out of local waterways with drug take back day
- Is there lead in your soil? New Chicago-area map tells you
Staff feature
- Extension foresters protect trees, empower landowners
- Sustaining a healthy world starts in your backyard
- At Extension, water resources work when we work with them
- Extension bridges gap between environmental research and real-world solutions
Master Naturalist program
- Master Naturalists get outdoors to connect with, support Illinois’ natural spaces
- Master Naturalists advocate for diversity in ecosystems and volunteer program
Wildlife
- Time change raises risk of driver collisions with wildlife
- What to know about avian flu in wild birds, poultry, and pets in Illinois
- New study finds Extension offices have vital role in fight against growing number of tick bites
- Mountain lions on the move through Illinois, not here to stay
- Warmer temperatures rouse reptiles for spring migration
- Save baby wildlife by stepping back; rescues rarely needed
- Take steps to help stop avian flu in wild birds, domestic flocks
- Nature adapts when heat waves hit
Forestry