Branch out into summer learning with free Forestry Stewardship Series
URBANA, Ill. — In summer, the shade of a large oak tree is a welcome relief from the heat. The 4.8 million acres of trees in Illinois do everything from supporting human health and providing habitat for wildlife to creating oxygen and slowing floodwaters...
Climate change cuts global crop yields, even when farmers adapt
URBANA, Ill. — The global food system faces growing risks from climate change, even as farmers seek to adapt, according to a June 18 study in Nature.In contrast to previous studies suggesting...
Celebrate Pollinator Week with tips and tools for a more pollinator-friendly yard
URBANA, Ill. — As they flutter through plant and flower blossoms, spreading pollen with every landing, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators quietly sustain healthy ecosystems, successful home vegetable gardens, and agricultural production. This...
Explore invasive plant, animal, insect research updates at Illinois Invasive Species Symposium
URBANA, Ill. — When it comes to invasive species, what we don’t know, can hurt us. From insects that kill trees to plants that may increase tick populations, invasive species are a serious threat to Illinois natural areas, waterways, and farm fields because once they take hold, removing them is...
Available prairie seed mixes may fall short for pollinators
URBANA, Ill. — As populations of bees and butterflies decline in the Midwest, native prairie restoration becomes crucial. A new Prairie Research Institute study found, however, that many commercial seed mixes used to conserve and restore prairies may not have enough diversity or spring flowering...
Extension bridges gap between environmental research and real-world solutions
Strong natural systems and the resources they provide, from water filtration to renewable energy sources, are a vital part of healthy, robust communities. One of the core University of Illinois Extension program areas – natural resources, environment, and energy – connects communities across the...
Tap into Illinois water resources, actions to take at home with Everyday Environment
URBANA, Ill. — With the quick twist of a handle, water is easily available whenever we need it for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, and yard work. But do you know where your water comes from?Water is a vital resource that affects everyone. This spring, learn more about how water works...
New agroforestry maps plot environmental, social, and economic benefits of trees
URBANA, Ill. — There’s a longstanding attitude in many farming communities that trees and agriculture don’t mix. But agroforestry — the intentional integration of trees and shrubs in agricultural systems, such as planting trees as windbreaks, integrating trees on pastures, or growing tree crops...
Advance local impact with Watershed Stewards
Bloomington Ill. – Every day, rain nourishes fields of growing crops, and rivers steadily flow through natural areas and communities until, eventually, drinking water trickles out of faucets into our homes, schools, and businesses. The health of a watershed is tied to the...
What to know about avian flu in wild birds, poultry, and pets in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. — The nationwide spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, also known as avian or bird flu, has many in Illinois concerned about livestock, pets, wildlife, food safety, and public health.HPAI is an extremely contagious and frequently deadly respiratory disease for...
Songbirds socialize on the wing during migration, new study says
URBANA, Ill. — The night sky teems with migrating songbirds, aloft in their millions following routes etched in evolutionary time. But those flight paths may not be entirely innate, according to new research...
Can one person make a difference on environmental issues?
Global environmental issues like habitat loss and pollution can feel overwhelming. Can one person’s actions make a difference? Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator Erin Garrett believes so. Garrett provides...
Local Climate Stewards can lead to big changes with new environmental program
URBANA, Ill. — Climate change is a complex global challenge, but local action has an important role in empowering communities and building resiliency. The new University of Illinois Extension Climate Steward course trains environmental stewards to communicate about climate change and engage in...
Illinois Extension to host native landscape design workshop for sustainable gardening
CHAMPAIGN, Ill – Transform your garden into a pollinator-friendly, sustainable haven with Illinois Extension’s Native Landscape Design Drawing Workshop! This engaging two-part program is designed to help participants reimagine a defined garden area using native plants. By incorporating native...
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...
