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A brown bat in a knot hole in a tree
Illinois study reveals another reason to save the world’s trees
All over the world, from Oregon’s old-growth forests to Queensland’s eucalyptus groves, creatures depend on trees for shelter. A new analysis from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that as the climate destabilizes, the world’s...
a girl kneels next to a dog and holds a blue ribbon
4-H members demonstrate skills at 2026 State Dog Show
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – 4-H members from across the state recently demonstrated their skills during the Illinois 4-H Dog Show, held Aug. 22 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. The show is open to 4-H members who are enrolled in the...
group of people standing in front of a 4-H backdrop
4-H volunteers honored for exceptional service
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 15,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently...
Mark Ridlen in a suit in a headshot pose.
Illinois 4-H Foundation welcomes Mark Ridlen to Board of Directors
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Ridlen, an Illinois 4-H alumnus and retired banking and financial regulatory executive, to its Board of Directors.The Illinois 4-H Foundation Board is committed to advancing...
black cows grazing in a field
Learn the latest research during Orr Beef Research Center Field Day
BAYLIS, Ill. — Experts from the University of Illinois will lead discussions addressing research, current topics, and situations producers are facing on-farm during the annual Orr Beef Research Center Field Day. This year’s event will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the new Ag...
collage of photos from Idea Garden events
Illinois Extension hosts free community event Sunday, Aug. 30
ST. CHARLES, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension will host an Extension Connection Community Day on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Kane County Idea Garden in St. Charles. This FREE open house will feature activities for all ages highlighting the environment, gardening, food,...
three girls in 4-H aprons in a green building
Kane County Fair: Young people discover and learn through 4-H
ST. CHARLES, Ill. – Each year, the Kane County Fair marks the culmination of the latest 4-H year with exhibits, animal shows, and activities where 4-H members demonstrate knowledge and skills, and of course, had fun.4-H conference judging and show experiences provide youth with valuable...
Portrait of the researchers standing in front of a map of Illinois with tick species indicated on the map.
New study reinforces the need for year-round tick awareness in Illinois
URBANA, Ill — A new study has reported a “dramatic growth” in the number of human cases of tick-borne disease between 2004 and 2022. The University of Illinois study also found that tick-borne diseases were reported in every month of the year and in every Illinois county, underscoring the...