BELVIDERE, Ill.—University of Illinois Extension Educator Peggy Anesi will be offering a free educational program on coyotes Saturday, March 21, at 9:00 a.m. at the Boone County Conservation District, 603 Appleton Road. “Coyote families are welcoming their new offspring in March, so it’s a good time to talk about what to expect from these family groups as they live in and out of all of our neighborhoods,” said Anesi.
Coyotes are one of the most misunderstood species in Illinois. Cunning, social, resilient, opportunistic, faithful, adaptive, shy, successful, hated, and inspirational are all words that have been used to describe coyotes. They conjure up mixed feelings of fear, anger, and, for some, wild beauty. There are many stories about coyotes, and some cultures believe them to be the jokester of the wild. Many of these feelings depend on who you are, where you live, and even what you do for a living. Coyotes also take the blame for many things they do not do in our spaces. They, nonetheless, should get the award for best survivalist despite the human population.
We have eliminated natural predators and barriers, paving the way for the coyote to explore all areas of the U.S. and beyond. This includes suburbs and cities alike. “They do not understand your opinion or mine", said Anesi, "they just know how to survive regardless, and that is very fascinating from a management perspective.” Now, with coyotes in the urban world, we hear more about them. This adaptation to urban living is changing how we view them, even though our rural coyotes still function the way they have for decades. We have greater awareness of their presence, but there is still much about the wild canine that remains misunderstood. The program is designed to increase your understanding of coyote behaviors and what you can expect from them.
Anesi will share information and stories about this incredible animal. “I admire coyotes as a wild mammal because of their inquisitive behaviors, their devotion to family, and their incredible intelligence. They also need to be managed like many of our other wildlife,” said Anesi. Register online at https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/wild-neighbors-coyotes. If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact the Boone County Extension office at 815-544-3710.
Extension Educator Peggy Anesi brings years of expertise in environmental education, helping people of all ages understand wildlife and water quality issues. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a specialization in wildlife management.
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 500 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 five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.