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Blog Posts

Read article: Nitrates in Drinking Water: What Illinois Residents Need to Know
Nitrates in Drinking Water: What Illinois Residents Need to Know
Nitrates in drinking water can be a concern in Illinois. In June, nitrate levels of 11.9 mg/L, higher than the federal standard of 10mg/L set by the...
Elm zigzag sawfly larva
Read article: Illinois Invasive: Elm Zigzag Sawfly
Illinois Invasive: Elm Zigzag Sawfly
The elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) is an invasive pest of elm trees (Ulmus spp.) that was first detected in Illinois in July 2024...
dragonfly hovering over leaf near freshwater
Read article: Dragonflies and Damselflies 
Dragonflies and Damselflies 
Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors, especially if you are near water where you might encounter members of the Odonata order. This group...
Read article: Taking Care of Water is a Community Effort
Taking Care of Water is a Community Effort
When the Everyday Environment team first looked at water as our season two topic, we brainstormed a lot of different approaches. Unlike our first...

News Releases

A woman plants in a garden
At Extension, water resources work when we work with them
Sometimes water is only a drizzle or a trickle, while other times it pours and floods, but it is always there in the background, a steady and vital resource for all our lives. A core University of Illinois Extension program area — natural resources,...
Person walking on a log
Discover, learn, and inspire as a Master Naturalist
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—For some, there comes a great joy when you hear a child excitedly say, “Look at this cool bug!” or when an adult asks, “How can I care for wildlife in my backyard?” If you, too, experience this joy when out in nature, find pleasure in learning and educating others about the...

Videos

Actions to Reduce Water Pollution

What’s in your water? Learn about common water pollutants, how your daily actions, indoor and outdoor, impact water quality, and how water is treated before returning to rivers and lakes. Simple tips to prevent pollution start with you.

This webinar was recorded on May 8, 2025. Find more...

Follow the Drop: Illinois Water from Source to Tap

Do you know where your drinking water comes from? Illinois is a diverse state when it comes to water resources, and where your water comes from depends on how much is available, the quality of a water source, and its contamination risk. Explore sources of drinking water in Illinois, get an...

Staff

Staff photo Shiba Kar

Shiba 'Shibu' Kar

Assistant Dean: Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Program Leader. Associate Director of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant