News Releases

Take care of your trees with summer Forestry Stewardship Series
URBANA, Ill. — Illinois has 4.8 million acres of tree-covered land. From shading homes and feeding wildlife to producing oxygen and filtering water, trees do a lot of heavy lifting. Give them a hand by discovering innovative, research-based management options in the summer Forestry...
child holding a catfish
Free Fishing with 4-H Funshop: Two Days of Learning and Fun on the Water
PETERSBURG, Ill. — The Menard County 4-H Program hosted an exciting and educational Free Fishing with 4-H Funshop, offering 19 local youth from Menard, Logan and Sangamon counties a hands-on experience with fishing and conservation. This event, held on June 17 and 18, provided a unique blend of...
a group of people stand in a circle in a field surrounded by trees listening to someone speak from the back of a truck
Growing Extension forestry team speaks for the trees
URBANA, Ill. — Oaks, elms, hickories, and other trees cover Illinois in a tapestry of forests and woodlands that shade homes and parks, shelter and feed wildlife, produce oxygen, and stabilize soil. Trees once covered more than a third of Illinois, but now that number is halved and disease,...
Person outside in the hot sun gardening while wiping forehead of sweat.
Recognizing heat-related warning signs for gardeners and landscapers
URBANA, Ill. — Landscaping and gardening are great physical exercises, and studies show they are good for emotional well-being. But those working outside must remain aware of the dangers associated with heat stress on their bodies. “When I was working as a landscaper, we had to sod a...
Summer Fun with 4-H!
Explore, learn and grow during free summer activities provided by 4-H
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Youth of all ages can explore their interests and learn new skills during the fun and exciting summer activities provided by 4-H in Logan, Menard and Sangamon counties. From gardening and cooking to emergency preparedness and mental health, there's something for everyone to...
3 youth playing with legos
New Cloverbud 4-H club starting in Pawnee
PAWNEE, Ill. – A new Cloverbud 4-H club, open to youth ages 5 to 7 (as of September 1, 2023), is starting in Pawnee. A kickoff meeting for interested families will be held Saturday, April 27, 10-11 AM, at the Pawnee Public Library. Cloverbud 4-H clubs focus on having fun and making...
two morel mushrooms growing on the forest floor
Spring brings opportunity to forage wild mushrooms
URBANA, Ill. — Spring is a time of change. Migrating birds return. Ephemeral wildflowers start popping up. And morel mushrooms start appearing prompting enthusiastic mushroom hunters to scour forests across Illinois in search of the elusive and delectable fungi. Determined...
two pairs of hands planting a tree sapling
Greenview School is home to an oak tree savanna
GREENVIEW, Ill. – Greenview School District #200 in Menard County is now home to an oak tree savanna thanks to local youth and community members. The group of 25 oak trees, called a savanna, will breathe new life into oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois. The 4-H Green...
2 youth sitting at a table
4-H Public Speaking Contest results announced
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local 4-H members presented speeches and earned awards at this year’s Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H Public Speaking Contest, which was held March 19 at the Sangamon County Extension Office in Springfield.   Awards winners included: Champion...
Overhead view of compost filled bin during winter.
Spring into composting by reviving a compost pile after winter
URBANA, Ill. — If you haven’t touched your compost bin or pile all winter, don’t worry, you are not alone. It could be filled with kitchen scraps to the top or left untouched since the fall. Getting a compost pile going again after the long, cold winter can be intimidating, but it is...
purple, pink, and 3 blue award ribbons
Abe Lincoln 4-H Shooters Hold Air Pistol Exhibition
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Abe Lincoln Shooters 4-H currently offers shooting disciplines of air pistol and archery. The Sangamon County program is guided by Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinators. The Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program is part of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program...