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 an expensive and lengthy process. The 2025 Illinois Invasive Species Symposium on May 28 in Champaign will offer environmental stewards the tools and resources they need to prevent the spread of invasive species and manage them effectively.
For 10 years, University of Illinois Extension has hosted the symposium to share the latest invasive species research, discuss management options, and highlight success stories. University researchers, students, and industry professionals will present updates about emerging invasive species threats, Asian carp, tick population response to invasive plants, science communication techniques, effective invasive removal and restoration projects, and an open Q&A panel discussion on the state of invasive species in Illinois.
The symposium will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 28 at the Champaign County Extension Office at 801 N. Country Fair Dr., Champaign. The event is open to industry professionals, students, landowners and managers, farmers, foresters, volunteers, environmental stewards, and the media.
A full agenda and registration are available at go.illinois.edu/InvasiveSymposium. Sign up by May 22. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Karla Griesbaum at (217) 333-7672 or kherzma2@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
Explore more about invasive species in Illinois at extension.illinois.edu/invasives.
Extension’s natural resources, environment, and energy program provides research-based education for awareness and action to sustain healthy environments and ecosystems that support quality living and resilient communities. Extension staff empower people across Illinois to make a difference through the volunteer programs Master Naturalists, Climate Stewards, and Watershed Stewards. Have a nature question? Connect with your local Extension experts at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionOffice.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.