Invasive Species

Events

Nature’s Uninvited Guests: The Impact of Invasive Plants

April 29, 2025

Blog Posts

A grove of silver maple trees in a flood plain.

Why Some Plants Thrive While Others Struggle: The Role of Soil, Climate, and Competition

January 6, 2025

Plant competition is an instrumental part of natural ecosystems, with winners and losers in all cases. Still, it is really fascinating to consider...

The Hidden Dangers of Sharing Firewood: Protecting Our Trees

November 8, 2024

If there is one certainty for all humans is that we are drawn to natural elements. Two of the best examples are how we can become transfixed when...

clumps of fountain grass in bloom in a landscape bed with a bridge in the background

Remove and replace Fountain Grasses

September 23, 2024

Several years ago on a hike in mid-November, I came across an unfamiliar grass. It was still green, with an intact seed head. The alarm bells started...

What to expect with invasives and climate change

September 5, 2024

Climate change and invasive species are both huge threats to our natural resources. How are the two issues interacting? Can we expect invasive...

More Blogs

News Releases

Purple to blue-green tri-color background with Four Seasons Gardening text overlay.

March 21, 2025

Discover invasive plants, garden pests with Four Seasons Gardening spring webinars
URBANA, Ill. — While plants are waking up in backyards, parks, and gardens this spring, check in on the Four Seasons Gardening series webinars as another way to dig deeper, consider more plant options, strengthen...

invasive glossy buckthorn in bloom in forest

February 4, 2025

Forest landowner motivation to control invasive species depends on land use, study shows
URBANA, Ill. — Many U.S. forests are privately owned, particularly in the Eastern and North Central part of the country. This makes control of invasive plants and pests challenging because efforts must be coordinated across landowners. A...

An older volunteer and a young volunteer work together to cut down an invasive stump.

November 7, 2024

Master Naturalists rally volunteers to restore historic Sibley Burr Oak Grove
SIBLEY, Ill -- On the chilly morning of November 2, 45 dedicated volunteers gathered at Sibley Burr Oak Grove for a community-led restoration event to protect one of the region’s most precious natural landmarks. Guided by organizations such as the...

Two people in a boat with nets on poles watch as dozens of carp jump out of the water

October 29, 2024

Study: Invasive silver carp reduce movement in Chicago-area water
URBANA, Ill. — Invasive silver carp have been spreading throughout the Mississippi River Basin since their introduction a half-century ago. Yet, try as they might, the fish have not advanced beyond a particular stretch of the Illinois River north of Kankakee. Research from the...

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Videos

New Invaders: Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly is the newest “unwanted” invasive pest in Illinois. Learn how to identify and report this invasive insect as well as how to manage it and prevent further spread.

Tricia Bethke from The Morton Arboretum explores why monitoring for spotted lanternflies in winter is...