Small changes have positive impacts on the environment

Everyday Environment explores the intricate web of connections that bind us to the natural world. From water, air, energy, plants, and animals to the complex interactions within these elements, we aim to unravel the ties that link us to our environment. Through podcasts, blogs,  webinars, and videos, you'll gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for these connections in Illinois and beyond. Each fall and spring, we'll explore a new topic in detail. 

In the spring of 2025, we're diving into everything about water! Learn more about how water works related to where it comes from, agriculture, aquatic invasive species, rain gardens, watersheds, community science opportunities, and more. Together, we can protect and preserve our vital water resources. 

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Webinars

The Everyday Environment webinars explore environmental topics to encourage sustainable practices. Tune in and learn how you can do your part to protect the planet for generations to enjoy. All sessions are free.

Follow the Drop: Illinois Water from Source to Tap | March 13 at 1 p.m. 

Illinois is a diverse state when it comes to water resources, and where your water comes from depends on how much is available, the quality of a water source, and its contamination risk. Explore sources of drinking water in Illinois, get an understanding of what your community water or well water goes through from source to tap, and find out how geology or natural contaminants limit the availability of drinkable water. 

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Actions to Reduce Water Pollution | May 8 at 1 p.m. 

What’s in your water? How can your actions help reduce and prevent water pollution? Discover what the most common water pollutants are and how you can prevent water pollution by paying attention to what you put down the drain at home and how you manage your yard. Explore how the water treatment process cleans water before it returns to lakes, rivers, and streams. 

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Looking for previous programs? Recordings are posted several weeks after the program to allow time for closed captioning. The most recent sessions are available below.

Watch Past Webinars on YouTube

Follow the Drop: Illinois Water from Source to Tap

Do you know where your drinking water comes from? Illinois is a diverse state when it comes to water resources, and where your water comes from depends on how much is available, the quality of a water source, and its contamination risk. Explore sources of drinking water in Illinois, get an...

Everyday Environment Podcast
From the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan, Illinois’ waters are incredible environmental and economic resources, supporting a diversity of plants and animals, providing drinking water for millions of people, and allowing for transportation and recreation. However, aquatic invasive species...
Everyday Environment Blog
Tornado touching down over green field and buildings

Tornado trends

In today’s world, it appears that everyone has seen or experienced a tornado up close and personal, at least from all the video that is available on social media.  The fact is many people have only seen pictures or video and have not experienced a real tornado. However, their chances may be...
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Red male cardinal on grey fence

A year of discovery: Daily observations in my backyard

Author’s Note:  In January of 2022, I embarked on a year of daily half-hour observations in my backyard. This essay is a partial accounting of what I discovered. There’s nothing special about my backyard.  It’s one of countless tracts surveyed and mapped into thousands of neat urban...
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white flowers on a tree

Grassland teaches a lesson on Callery Pear

Spring has sprung! Birds are active, insects are emerging, and the early bloomers are starting to show their bright flowers indicating the cold days of winter are almost behind us. You may notice the brilliant displays of blooming trees, particularly a white one, that feels like it is THE tree for...
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Fire with orange, red, and yellow flames

The Changing Sentiment of Prescribed Fire

When I was a child, I remember fondly the US Forest Service (USFS) forest fire prevention commercials containing the slogan, “only you can prevent forest fires.” We were a camping family, so we were careful to follow safety rules when we cooked with fire at our campsites. As a student and a young...
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Trio of wild turkeys in a snow dusted field

Let's talk turkey: Fact or fiction

From turkey hands made by schoolchildren to presidential pardons at the White House, November is turkey time. And while we may think we know a lot about these birds, here are a few things that might be new to you. Fast Turkey Facts Wild turkeys, (Meleagris gallopavo) are one of...
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White man with dark beard in blue shirt and hat hiking with backpack

Tips for staying safe when hiking during hunting season

Illinois has some of the most beautiful areas to hike across the state. State parks alone have over 270 trails that total more than 700 miles. Each area of the state offers many different landscapes to enjoy. You may encounter rugged bluffs with waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park in northern...
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black and white skunk in straw bed

Share space and give your wildlife neighbors a chance

When people get excited about supporting wildlife on their property, they are usually referring to charismatic wildlife. The ones that bring us joy or whimsy or that serve a function such as pollination. Or even the ones that encroach on our lives the least. For most of us, that is in the form of...
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flying geese over lake silhouetted against sunrise

Be vigilant about bird diseases

Anyone who comes into contact with birds should be aware that avian influenza cases are on the rise in Illinois and around the Midwest. What is avian flu? Avian influenza is a highly contagious virus that spreads naturally among wild birds, sometimes without causing illness. However, avian...
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Climate Change in Illinois

In the fall of 2024, Everyday Environment explored the different facets of climate change. Take a look at the full collection of climate change videos, blogs, and podcasts below.

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Climate Change Blogs

Reduce methane generation with composting 

Exploring the Potential of Agrivoltaics

Renewable energy offers benefits for our future

How agricultural carbon markets are investing in policy and interest for farmers

Saving the planet is child's play! Empower youth about climate change

Adapting to climate change can have added health benefits

Pollinators' complicated relationship with climate change

What to expect with invasives and climate change

Soil carbon addresses climate resiliency for the future

The urban forest is a climate tool for all

How plants respond to rising carbon dioxide concentrations

Climate expert breaks down the basics of climate change

Climate Change Podcast Episodes

Coffee grounds are green: composting reduces methane and builds up soil

Investigating solar energy and agriculture: agrivoltaics and climate change

Exploring carbon markets as part of emissions reduction goals

Cover Crops not Mudslides: empowering youth on climate change

It’s all about risk: how climate change increases our risk of health concerns and how we can adapt

Exploring the challenges facing pollinators

Will invasive species be helped or hindered by climate change?

Understanding soil as a system

708 million tons of carbon storage: Urban Forests and climate change

Too Much of a Good Thing: A Plant’s Perspective on Climate Change

Shifting to a Silver Lining: Climate Expert Talks Climate Change Basics

Climate Change Videos

An Introduction to Climate Change in Illinois

How renewable energy transitions are happening in rural Illinois

Can your lawn be climate friendly?

An Interview with a Buckthorn Tree

Reduce your energy use to help fight climate change

Webinar: What Illinois Residents Should Know about Climate Change 

 Webinar: Actions for Illinois Residents to Combat Climate Change

What Illinois Residents Should Know About Climate Change

Discover what climate change means for Illinois now and in the future and explore practical solutions. Learn how you can play a vital role in helping your community be healthier and more resilient to the effects of climate change. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation and...

Actions for Illinois Residents to Combat Climate Change

While there are many strategies to reduce risk and adapt at global and regional scales, individuals can also take action. 

In this video you will learn how you can address climate change in your home, landscape, and community, explore how different methods of managing your lawn,...

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