Take your love of nature to the next level

University of Illinois Extension announces NC State agricultural leader as its new director
URBANA, Ill. — Matthew Vann has been named the new associate dean and director of University of Illinois Extension, the flagship public engagement organization housed in...

Master Naturalists welcome 18 new environmental steward volunteers
OGLESBY, Ill. – The Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam County Master Naturalists welcomed 18 new volunteers to their ranks on August 1.Helen Mlynarski, Ellen Evancheck, Pete Johnston, Coleen Piggott, Jillian Pender, Hannah Safiran, Cheryl Heitz, Patricia Meagher, Faye Barakat,...

Simple design changes can make bat boxes safer
URBANA, Ill. — Imagine moving into a new house just to discover it has no insulation. That’s what life can be like for a bat box resident.Bat boxes, a kind of artificial roost, are a simple and cost-effective way to increase habitat for these flying mammals. They’re a preferred spot for...

Get ready for Nature Trails Day—A family adventure in the great outdoors!
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A family day outside filled with guided hikes and hands-on activities for kids and adults, what could be better? Nature Trails Day is right around the corner, and now is the time to register and select what activities your family wants to explore! Hosted by the University of...

Think outside the box turtle with program exploring 20 years of wildlife research
URBANA, Ill. — Every box turtle has a story to tell. These charismatic, long-lived turtles are omnivorous and use both land and water ecosystems, which makes them a good indicator of how strong the overall ecosystem is. In the last 18 years, the Wildlife Epidemiology Lab at...