University of Illinois Resources and Programs

spotted lanternfly

Cooperative Pest Survey Program

The Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey program is a joint effort between state and federal agencies, including the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and USDA-APHIS.

a person in safety gear uses a chainsaw on a tree trunk

Forestry

The Extension Forestry program provides forestry and natural resources education, technical assistance, programming, and awareness to an estimated 132,000 private forest landowners who own 82% of Illinois forests.

A sprayer bottle

Pesticide Safety Education Program

Pesticide safety training is critical for all who work with pesticides, and none more so than certified Applicators and Operators. The Pesticide Safety Education Program, PSEP, team is here to help you meet your training and certification goals.

A photo of the Chicago skyline and lake Michigan

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

IISG brings together scientists, educators, policy makers, community and business leaders to work toward a healthy environment and economy.

Plant leave eaten by insects

Plant Identification

Plant disease and injury can be costly. The Plant Clinic provides plant and insect identification and  diagnosis of injury from disease, insects, weeds, and chemicals.

A woman at a computer holding a phone

Ask Extension

Local Extension staff can help you identify species and make a plan of action for controlling them. County offices are available to help.

Guides

A stack of Extension publications

Publication Library

Explore our catalog of guides covering agriculture, gardening, environment, pesticide safety, and more.

a green plant with white flowers

Management of Invasive Plants and Pests

Download this comprehensive guide to managing invasive plants and pests of Illinois. 

Fish jumping out of a lake

Invasive Updates

A list of Extension invasive species updates from around the state.

Title
Regional Invasive Organizations
Body

Across Illinois and the Midwest, a variety of organizations work together to prevent and remove invasive species. 

  • Illinois Invasive Species Symposium: Get the latest research updates, learn about management recommendations, celebrate invasive removal success stories, network with colleagues, and ask questions about managing invasive species effectively from University of Illinois Extension. Hosted annually in May.
  • Illinois Invasive Species Council: Established in 2005, the IISC's mission is to minimize the economic and ecological impacts from invasive species. The Council provides information and recommendations to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and the public.
  • Cooperative Weed Management Areas: These partnership organizations are formed with the goal of managing invasive plants across jurisdictional and landownership boundaries.
    • Headwaters Invasive Plant Partnership: HIPP is a cooperative weed management area in East Central Illinois to address terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants. Formally established in June 2015, HIPP is built upon the efforts of a six-year Invasive Plant Task Force established by the East Central Illinois Master Naturalists.
    • River to River CWMA: This area is a partnership between 13 federal and state agencies, organizations, and universities aimed at coordinating efforts and programs for addressing the threat of invasive plants in Southern Illinois.
  • Midwest Invasive Plant Network: The MIPN works to reduce the impact of invasive plant species in the Midwest by drawing on the knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm of a diverse group of participants and partners.
  • Illinois Forestry Association
  • USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Events
Events
News
Local News Releases
A man leans on a tool outside by a tree surrounded by a group of people
Extension foresters protect trees, empower landowners
URBANA, Ill. — As the saying goes, the hope is that trees will “bloom where they’re planted.” Still, sometimes even these plant powerhouses need help overcoming challenges like invasive species, urban...
A tree trunk looking up at green canopy and the text "tri-state forest stewardship"
Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference returns to support Midwest landowners
URBANA, Ill. — The Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference, one of the largest gatherings for forest landowners in the Midwest, returns this spring. For more than 25 years, the conference has provided resources to forest landowners in the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin area to better manage their...
Winter Trails and naturalist tales
Get to Know Our Natural World at Winter Trails and Naturalist Tales
WINNEBAGO COUNTY- Nature lovers of Northern Illinois area are invited to uncover some of nature’s hidden tales and trails on Saturday, January 31st, 2026, at Illinois Extension’s annual program, Winter Trails and Naturalist Tales. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenes, Torstenson’s...
Aerial view of forest in autumn
Spotting the Invaders: Fall Workshop on Managing Woody Invasive Plants
WINNEBAGO COUNTY- Autumn brings us many gifts: cooler weather, fall traditions, changing leaves, and the perfect opportunity to manage invasives. As leaves fall and many plants go dormant, woody invasives stand out as still green and growing, making them stick out like a sore thumb. When we can...
a group of people stand in a wetland
Study: 72% of Illinois wetlands no longer protected by federal Clean Water Act
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois once harbored more than 8 million acres of wetlands. By the 1980s, all but 1.2 million wetland acres had been lost, filled in for development or drained to make way for agriculture. Now, thanks to a 2023 Supreme Court decision, roughly 72% of the remaining 981,000...
Autumn Olive
Walk the Forest and Learn to Fight Invasive Plants
Some plants quietly—yet quickly—invade and overtake our landscapes, pushing out natives and offering no benefits to people, wildlife, or the environment. Luckily, Fall is an ideal time to identify and manage many of the invasive plants in our timber, prairie areas, and landscapes. ...
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

EEO myExtension Staff Login