Illinois study reveals another reason to save the world’s trees
All over the world, from Oregon’s old-growth forests to Queensland’s eucalyptus groves, creatures depend on trees for shelter. A new analysis from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that as the climate destabilizes, the world’s...
NOAA and partners find smaller-than-anticipated hypoxic zone in Gulf
NOAA-supported scientists announced today that the hypoxic zone in the Gulf is approximately 1,332 square miles, making it the second-smallest zone on record in 40 years of measurement. Hypoxic areas, also called “dead zones,” are areas with little to no oxygen in the water, which can...
Discovering Bats: Nighttime Superheroes program reaches youth across southern Illinois
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS – This summer, youth across southern Illinois explored the fascinating world of bats through the program, Discovering Bats: Nighttime Superheroes. Through interactive storytelling, hands-on activities, and educational games, participants learned about one...
New study reinforces the need for year-round tick awareness in Illinois
URBANA, Ill — A new study has reported a “dramatic growth” in the number of human cases of tick-borne disease between 2004 and 2022. The University of Illinois study also found that tick-borne diseases were reported in every month of the year and in every Illinois county, underscoring the...
How long does it take to grow a tree that supports endangered Indiana bats?
URBANA, Ill. — Bugs run rampant in the summer, and if you have ever suffered from a mosquito bite and regretted not putting on bug spray, you should know about nature’s insect repellent: the Indiana bat. Federally endangered since 1967, the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) helps...
Defining the modern ‘land-grant mission’ at ACES
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign often cites its land-grant legacy, but the land-grant university system is not a well-known...
Tick concerns are growing: What Illinois residents need to know
URBANA, Ill. — For some residents, a walk through a park or an afternoon in the backyard brings a new level of anxiety thanks to growing concerns about ticks and the diseases they carry. This fear can lead people to limit outdoor activity out of concern that they may be bitten. As reports of...
When natural curiosity takes root, Illinois communities thrive
The word “community” is often used to describe both people and nature, and for good reason. Each are groups of individuals sharing a space as they live and grow. It’s in this same spirit of collective...
Get to know Illinois grasses in summer plant identification series
URBANA, Ill. — Grasses play a big role in natural ecosystems — from controlling soil erosion to supporting pollinators to providing food for livestock — but telling one from another isn’t always easy. This summer,...
Peoria Agronomy Summit brings research-driven insights to Central Illinois farmers
PEORIA, Ill. - The 2026 Peoria Agronomy Summit welcomed more than 50 growers, ag professionals, and land owners to Illinois Central College’s East Peoria campus for a full day of research-focused learning. Hosted by University of Illinois Extension in...
Spring into action Woodsy Owl style
Johnson County, Ill. — Volunteers gathered at Dutchman Lake on June 5, 2026, for the fourth Trash Blast of the year, wrapping up the spring season of community-driven cleanup efforts focused on protecting and restoring the natural beauty of...
Grow healthier ecosystems at home this pollinator month
URBANA, Ill. — Planting native flowers in a backyard, patio container, or community garden can provide critical food and habitat for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. This June, in recognition of National Pollinator Month, University of Illinois Extension encourages community members to...
“The kitchen table of the University:" Statewide tour highlights Extension’s local impact
JOLIET, Ill. — From neighborhood gardens to community partnerships, University of Illinois Extension is helping residents access research-based solutions close to home. Members of the Illinois Extension leadership team saw that work firsthand during a visit to Joliet and...
