URBANA, Ill. — Across the U.S., including Illinois, many non-native wildlife species have found their way into new environments, where they can pose a threat to natural ecosystems and the economy. This spring, explore the history of these animal invasions and efforts to protect local natural resources and economic interests with the University of Illinois Extension webinar Wild and Wily Animal Invaders.
The free webinar will be at 1 p.m. on March 19. The session will be led by Extension natural resources, environment, and energy staff and presented by Joy O’Keefe, associate professor and wildlife Extension specialist at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Species covered will include feral swine, nutria, Norway rats, starlings, and other invasive wildlife in Illinois. Sign up by March 18 at go.illinois.edu/AnimalInvaders.
Everyday Environment explores the intricate web of connections that bind us to the natural world through podcasts, blogs, webinars, and videos. The spring 2026 series explores the impacts of invasive species, the latest laws and research, tools for detection and reporting, and success stories of communities working to manage invasives.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this webinar, contact Erin Garrett at emedvecz@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. All sessions are recorded and available to watch on YouTube within a few weeks.
To connect with Extension natural resources, environment, and energy staff about a program or for a consultation, visit go.illinois.edu/NREEstaff. 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 Master Naturalist, Climate Steward, and Watershed Steward volunteer and training programs.
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.