News & Media

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Illinois Extension strives to provide relevant, science-based information that serves residents and businesses in our area and across the state. From blogs featuring the best seasonal tips and techniques to news stories highlighting upcoming learning opportunities, we offer you impactful insights backed by the research and public engagement resources of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

News Releases
A new master naturalist graduate gets emotional at the graduation.
Master Naturalist graduates ready to serve local communities
CHAMPAIGN, Ill – The East Central Illinois Master Naturalists welcomed 20 new graduates to their ranks on Wednesday, October 23, in a graduation ceremony at the Champaign County Extension Office. The ceremony celebrated the group completing the classroom portion of their Master Naturalist...
Two people in a boat with nets on poles watch as dozens of carp jump out of the water
Study: Invasive silver carp reduce movement in Chicago-area water
URBANA, Ill. — Invasive silver carp have been spreading throughout the Mississippi River Basin since their introduction a half-century ago. Yet, try as they might, the fish have not advanced beyond a particular stretch of the Illinois River north of Kankakee. Research from the...
a deer on the side of the road
Be cautious; watch for deer on roads in fall
URBANA, Ill. — While accidents can happen at any time of year, most deer-vehicle incidents occur between dusk and dawn during the months of October, November, and December. Drivers should slow down and stay alert to avoid deer-vehicle collisions this fall when traveling after dark.Not all...
two men in the woods
Invasive plants are no match for local Extension Master Naturalists
LEWISTOWN, Ill. — When certain plants get established in an ecosystem, they can choke out the more beneficial native plants. Left unchecked, those invasive species can destroy the native ecosystem and natural beauty. Local volunteers have a passion for eradicating invasive plants, and thanks to...
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...
Youth planting a tree
Planting trees in fall brings benefits spring doesn't afford
JOLIET, Ill – As the forecast starts showing cooler temperatures, many people are ready to get outside and continue to soak up the last bit of sunshine before winter.  But while people are focused on summer activities that they love, things like gardening and planting are often dismissed as...
A hand scrubbing a non-stick pan
Take steps to reduce exposure to PFAS chemicals
URBANA, Ill. — PFAS are chemicals commonly found in consumer goods that are making their way into drinking water supplies where they are a risk to human health, but there are steps people can take to protect themselves.PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of more than 15...
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...
a Black-crowned night heron
Conservation project tracks behavior, migration of Chicago's endangered heron
URBANA, Ill. — Among the snowbirds returning north for the summer, A24 is special. For one thing, A24 is an actual bird: a Black-crowned night heron, to be exact. And it has just returned to Chicago to join hundreds of its kind nesting near Lake Michigan. But unlike the human snowbirds that...
prairie
Becoming a Master Naturalist
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Do you find yourself deeply enjoying the outdoors, bird watching, growing native plants, or wishing you knew more about sustainability?  This fall the University of Illinois Extension serving McLean, Livingston, and Woodford counties, will be offering...
group out hiking
Adventures await in Naturalist Core Education program
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension's Naturalist Core Education Training is designed for adults of any age who love to learn about the natural world. The goal of the program is not to teach people everything there is to know about the...
a group of children stand at a table full of potted plants in a classroom
Plant positivity, learn how to grow a school or community garden
URBANA, Ill. — When green spaces fill schoolyards and neighborhoods with flowers and fresh produce, children and communities thrive. But the journey from the idea of starting a community or school-based garden to planting one that is built to last is long. What funding sources are available?...