Events

Blog Posts

Frost crack on apple tree branch
Read article: Exploding Trees? A Closer Look at Frost Cracking
Exploding Trees? A Closer Look at Frost Cracking
Exploding trees made quite a few headlines this past week when winter temperatures dropped across much of the country. While the claim of trees...
mug of hot chocolate
Read article: Celebrating Hot Chocolate Day
Celebrating Hot Chocolate Day
Hot Chocolate Day is January 31, inviting us to appreciate the plants and traditions that make this beverage possible. While hot chocolate feels like...
Read article: A look at Illinois’ native conifers
A look at Illinois’ native conifers
I have always marveled at pinecones and the seeds of other conifers. Whether I was picking them up for a “collection” as a kid or watching them...
A woodland vole staring at the camera lens giving its best blue steel
Read article: Protect your trees and yard from winter vole damage
Protect your trees and yard from winter vole damage
Voles are active in the winter, even if you aren'tWhile I may not be out in the garden during this time of year, the frozen landscape of Illinois...

News Releases

Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference returns to support Midwest landowners
URBANA, Ill. — The Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference, one of the largest gatherings for forest landowners in the Midwest, returns this spring. For more than 25 years, the conference has provided resources to forest landowners in the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin area to better manage their...
Snowflake
Celebrate the season at WinterFest set for Jan. 17
GENOA, Ill.—The annual WinterFest, held at the Natural Resources Education Center (NREC) in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, will be Saturday, Jan. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Russell Woods is located 1 mile west of Genoa on state route 72.University of Illinois Extension and DeKalb...
A large green circle with the words Gateway Green Conference in the center.
Conference strengthens communities against emerging environmental challenges
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Natural resource professionals play a key role in protecting our communities’ environmental assets. With ongoing research and changing conditions, it’s increasingly important to adopt responsible stewardship, manage new diseases and pests, and apply sustainable practices...

Videos

Making Maple Syrup - A Basic Introduction

Explore the basics of all of the steps involved in making maple syrup as Extension Forester Chris Evans walks through the maple syrup production process at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois. 

Be Safe When Trimming Trees Near Power Lines

Trees and power lines often find themselves mingling together causing safety concerns and requiring a utility’s attention. Oftentimes people aren’t happy about what has to happen next. From funny shaped trees to proper trimming techniques to picking out the right tree to plant around lines, this...

Staff