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A dead brown duck washed up on a lakeshore
Read article: How avian flu is affecting wildlife in Illinois
How avian flu is affecting wildlife in Illinois
In early February, dead birds began washing up on the Chicago lakeshore: red-breasted and common mergansers, Canada geese, and others. In a city...
eastern bluebird with caterpillar
Read article: Field notes from the bluebird trail
Field notes from the bluebird trail
By Joe Huether, Illinois Extension Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesFor as long as I can remember, I’ve...
humming bird
Read article: Hummingbirds are on the move
Hummingbirds are on the move
Every spring, I look forward to the return of the hummingbirds. Their aerial antics around the feeder, zooming by with iridescent flashes of green,...
Conservation at Home sign in a flower garden
Read article: Embrace eco-friendly yards with Conservation@Home in West Central Illinois
Embrace eco-friendly yards with Conservation@Home in West Central Illinois
Conservation@Home is making its way to our region, thanks to the collaborative...

News Releases

What to know about avian flu in wild birds, poultry, and pets in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — The nationwide spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, also known as avian or bird flu, has many in Illinois concerned about livestock, pets, wildlife, food safety, and public health.HPAI is an extremely contagious and frequently deadly respiratory disease for...
Managing Your Winter Landscape to Support Wildlife
Winter can be a challenging season for wildlife, but with thoughtful landscaping practices, homeowners can create spaces that nurture birds, insects, and other creatures. By providing food, shelter, and overwintering habitats, you can ensure your yard is a haven for wildlife while enriching your...

Videos

Create a Winter Bird Haven

The garden doesn’t stop being a haven in the winter months. Lots of wildlife can use your yard for over-wintering and provide a delightful spectacle on cold days as we look out dreaming of warmer weather. Attracting birds to the winter landscape can be incredibly rewarding for people of all ages...

Talking About Illinois Birds

University of Illinois ornithologist Michael Ward discusses the plight of birds. Are the declining populations dire? Why are Midwestern migrating birds being found in shark stomachs in the Gulf of Mexico? Ward tells what is being done across the borders, in Illinois agricultural lands, and how...

Staff