Water Quality

Events

Dudley Smith Farm Field Day 2026

June 17, 2026

County

Christian

Blog Posts

Stories from the field: Managing invasive species at Emiquon Preserve

May 21, 2026

When water returned to the floodplain at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve in west central Illinois, it marked a major restoration success....

Tractor plowing a field with a dust cloud behind

Dust storms, starter fertilizer, and conservation tillage

March 27, 2026

In episode 80 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, University of Illinois Assistant Professor and Extension agronomist...

Nitrogen rates above MRTN, timing decisions, and farm-level insights

March 20, 2026

In part one...

How MRTN works and the economics behind nitrogen rates

February 27, 2026

In episode 79, University of Illinois soil fertility specialist John Jones,...

More Blogs

News Releases

May 13, 2026

Illinois study: Can designer biochar pellets help manage phosphorus in agricultural fields?
Tile drainage is common in U.S. Midwest agricultural fields, helping to remove excess water and aerate the soil. While the practice enhances crop productivity, it can cause phosphorus to leak into nearby waterways, where it contributes to harmful algal blooms. Directing tile-drain...

May 12, 2026

Delve into water quality research at Dudley Smith Farm Field Day
PANA, Ill. — To help area agricultural producers learn about the latest research on water quality, conservation practices, and related topics, the Dudley Smith Initiative is hosting a research plot tour this June with...

March 2, 2026

Study shows 20-year decline in nitrate pollution across portions of the Mississippi River Basin
A new accounting of nitrogen pollution in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) reveals a significant decline in recent decades, suggesting positive momentum for water quality goals in local watersheds and the Gulf. Surprisingly, the University of Illinois...

Native plant illustrations on a yellow background with the text "Rain Garden Rumble"

February 25, 2026

Root for your favorite native plant to help crown 2026 Rain Garden Rumble champion
URBANA, Ill. — Let the garden games begin with the return of the annual Rain Garden Rumble, where nature and gardening enthusiasts get to pick the champion in this native-plant-playoff. This botanical bout —...

More News

Videos

Cover Crop Conversations: Farmer-to-Farmer Insights Across Illinois - Part 2

Illinois farmers discuss how cover crops fit into their systems, what they have learned along the way, and how these practices support soil health, nutrient management, erosion control, and farm profitability under very different soils and climate conditions.

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...