Invasive Species

Events

Blog Posts
Season 4 Invasive species
Effective invasive species management takes empathy and teamwork
In the spring 2026 season of Everyday Environment, we explored invasive species in a new and exciting way. The world of invasives typically focuses...
orange ditch lilies spreading through dense green foliage
Landscapes that support life: Replacing invasives with natives
Many people recognize bush honeysuckles (Lonicera maackii, L. tatarica, etc.) and autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) as invasive...
habitat restoration
Stories from the field: Managing invasive species at Emiquon Preserve
When water returned to the floodplain at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve in west central Illinois, it marked a major restoration success....
invasive golden oyster mushroom
A golden opportunity to learn that mushrooms can be invasive too
You’ve heard of invasive plants and animals, but what about mushrooms? Around Illinois, you won’t have to look far to find invasive mushrooms.Golden...
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News Releases
Portrait of the researchers standing in front of a map of Illinois with tick species indicated on the map.
New study reinforces the need for year-round tick awareness in Illinois
URBANA, Ill — A new study has reported a “dramatic growth” in the number of human cases of tick-borne disease between 2004 and 2022. The University of Illinois study also found that tick-borne diseases were reported in every month of the year and in every Illinois county, underscoring the...
A small tick is visible on a human hand
Tick concerns are growing: What Illinois residents need to know
URBANA, Ill. — For some residents, a walk through a park or an afternoon in the backyard brings a new level of anxiety thanks to growing concerns about ticks and the diseases they carry. This fear can lead people to limit outdoor activity out of concern that they may be bitten. As reports of...
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Videos
Invasive Species Q&A

Do you have questions about invasive species? We have the answers! This Q&A livestream about invasive species in Illinois was presented and recorded on May 21, 2026, on Facebook for the Everyday Environment series. 

Wild and Wily Animal Invaders

Across the U.S., including Illinois, many non-native wildlife species have found their way into new environments where they can be a threat. Explore the history of these animal invasions and the tug-of-war between the biology of animals, including humans, and efforts to protect our native...
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Staff
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