Explore impact of local trees at Illinois Extension fall tree planting workshops
URBANA, Ill. — Communities with healthy, viable trees are more likely to have improved air quality, reduced stress, and added personal comfort for surrounding residents, nature, and wildlife. “As we all have recently felt, Midwest summers are hot, and trees are a crucial part of our...
Kendall County Fair: 4-H youth show what they learned, have fun
YORKVILLE, Ill. – The Kendall County Fair in August marked the culmination of the 4-H year with exhibits, animal shows, and activities. 4-H members shared their knowledge and skills thanks to the support of many dedicated volunteers.“4-H shows provide youth with a valuable opportunity to...
4-H invites families to fall open house events
ST. CHARLES, Ill. – Each fall, Illinois 4-H kicks off a new year, and to celebrate, local 4-H programs host open house events in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties.4-H Youth Development programs focus on building leadership, citizenship, and life skills. In the coming weeks, join our...
Drought is intensifying across Illinois
An extremely dry end to summer and start to fall has intensified the ongoing drought in central and southern Illinois and increased the fire and blowing dust risk as we approach harvest, according to Illinois State Climatologist...
Illinois Extension to host inaugural Stormwater Leadership Summit
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois communities are facing more stormwater challenges due to larger storm events creating water quantity issues, infrastructure mitigation needs, and a lack of resources protecting water quality for all communities. To address this, University of Illinois Extension is...
DeKalb County 4-H dominates Illinois State Air Rifle Competition
Bloomington, Ill. — August 2025 DeKalb County 4-H members made a powerful statement at the Illinois 4-H State Air Rifle Shoot, held at Central Illinois Precision Shooters in Bloomington. With seven of the top ten individual scores, DeKalb County emerged as the clear frontrunner in this year’s...
Don’t be in the dark when it comes to power grid resiliency in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — Power is readily available at the flick of a switch, but what does it take to make that happen now and in the future for everyone? This September, representatives from the Union of Concerned Scientists will join University of Illinois Extension...
2025 State 4-H Fishing Tournament Reels in Record Participation
URBANA, Ill. — The fifth annual Illinois 4-H Hooks-Us-Together statewide fishing tournament concluded with a record-setting year, drawing 321 entries from 4-H youth across Illinois. The virtual event, held during May, June, and July, challenged participants to submit...
4-H Master Showmanship stars shine at 2025 Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Ill. —The 25th Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest took place on Friday, Aug. 8, , drawing talented 4-H members ages 14 to 18 who had already earned their spots by winning county-level competitions. Hosted in partnership with the Illinois Farm Bureau, the...
DuPage County Fair: 4-H’ers showcase skills through 4-H summer shows
WHEATON, Ill. – The DuPage County Fair in July marked the culmination of the 4-H year with exhibits, animal shows, and activities where 4-H members demonstrated knowledge and skills, and of course, had fun.“4-H conference judging and show experiences provide youth with valuable...
Kane County Fair: Young people grow knowledge and explore interests through 4-H
ST. CHARLES, Ill. – The Kane County Fair in July marked the culmination of the latest 4-H year with exhibits, animal shows, and activities where 4-H members demonstrated knowledge and skills, and of course, had fun.“4-H conference judging and show experiences provide youth with valuable...
Simple design changes can make bat boxes safer
URBANA, Ill. — Imagine moving into a new house just to discover it has no insulation. That’s what life can be like for a bat box resident.Bat boxes, a kind of artificial roost, are a simple and cost-effective way to increase habitat for these flying mammals. They’re a preferred spot for...
Grow successful made in the shade gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Did you know that despite Illinois' reputation as a prairie state, its landscape was once nearly a third forest? This fact opens up a wonderful world of native plants perfectly suited for shade gardens. Choosing these local beauties not only bolsters regional biodiversity but...
