Events

Blog Posts

 flower garden in bloom
Read article: Planting for honey bees
Planting for honey bees
By Trudy Yazujian, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesI used to tease that I was a public-school...
hummingbird at a zinnia flower
Read article: Welcoming hummingbirds to your yard
Welcoming hummingbirds to your yard
By Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell countiesThis past weekend I...
Honeybees are covering this honeycomb which was pulled from a managed hive for inspection.
Read article: Honeybees aren't as sweet as they may seem
Honeybees aren't as sweet as they may seem
When most people think about pollinators, they envision the honeybee (Apis mellifera) buzzing from flower to flower collecting nectar and...
Cattails in a wetland
Read article: Constructed wetlands for water quality: Easement programs for agricultural conservation
Constructed wetlands for water quality: Easement programs for agricultural conservation
Both restored and constructed wetlands can play a big role in reducing nutrient loss. In ...

News Releases

pollinator friendly pink and yellow flowers against a blue sky
Join the Pollinator-Friendly Planting Event at Prairie Gardens
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension invites community members to dig in and help pollinators thrive during a special hands-on container planting event sponsored by the Champaign County Master Gardeners. This event will be held at Prairie Gardens in Champaign on May 27 or 28,...
a bee perched on a pink flower
Available prairie seed mixes may fall short for pollinators
URBANA, Ill. — As populations of bees and butterflies decline in the Midwest, native prairie restoration becomes crucial. A new Prairie Research Institute study found, however, that many commercial seed mixes used to conserve and restore prairies may not have enough diversity or spring flowering...
diverse group of young people gardening
Spring into gardening with tools and tips at upcoming gardening programs
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is near, and your green thumb is ripe for gardening. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just getting started, growing nutrient-rich vegetables, fresh fruits, and aromatic herbs is more than just a way to fill your plate; it is like a badge of honor. Gardening...
Pollinator Palooza at Carlyle Lake: A Free Family-Friendly Event
University of Illinois Extension invites the community to Pollinator Palooza, a free outdoor event celebrating our vital pollinators! Join us at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center on [Event Date] for a day of educational fun and engaging activities designed to highlight the importance of...

Videos

The Buzz About Bees

What's all the Buzz about Bees? Illinois Extension is here with information

Join University of Illinois Extension and Extension Educator Sreelakshmi Suresh in this info-packed Wilderness Wednesday webinar sponsored by...

Tricky Pollinator Questions and Answers

Are my annual plants “junk food” for bees? Can I help pollinators by not mowing my lawn? How can I help pollinators thrive if I don’t have a garden? This presentation explorespollinator questions that have nuanced, uncertain, or controversial answers. 

Staff

Staff photo Shiba Kar

Shiba 'Shibu' Kar

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