Environment

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Blog Posts

benefits of park
Read article: Nature helps rural communities build resilience
Nature helps rural communities build resilience
Imagine if the river just down the road were not only a place to fish, but a way to connect generations through shared storytelling. Or picture...
insect challenges
Read article: Reduce insect conflicts with a naturalistic approach
Reduce insect conflicts with a naturalistic approach
While enjoying the outdoors, we often come into contact with insects, for better or worse. From buzzing mosquitoes to wasps interrupting outdoor...
a bird with a berry in its beak
Read article: Beyond the bird feeder: Grow an autumn food web with native plants
Beyond the bird feeder: Grow an autumn food web with native plants
As leaves change color, fall migration brings many birds through central Illinois. Warblers, vireos, thrushes, and other songbirds stop along the way...
a bird with a berry in its beak
Read article: From serviceberries to winterberries: Native fruits for birds year-round
From serviceberries to winterberries: Native fruits for birds year-round
Native trees and shrubs provide more than flowers, fall color, and wildlife habitat. They also create a diverse selection of food for birds...

News Releases

A person smashing a pumpkin in an open dumpster used for recycling and composting.
Recycle pumpkin season with a smash at Illinois Extension composting events
URBANA, Ill. — Like the changing of the leaves, fall can seem fleeting. Enjoy seasonal vibes — until the porch pumpkins start to decay. When that happens, where do the pumpkins go?“Many do not realize that a thrown-away pumpkin does not break down and disappear on its own without leaving...

Videos

Community Science in Your Backyard

At Everyday Environment, we enjoy noticing everyday observations of cool things in nature, many of which can be found in backyards and local parks. These everyday observations can be used to help scientists better understand the climate, species phenology, and more. Explore how everyone can...

Ecology at Your Home

Remember back in grade school biology learning about things like the carbon cycle? How about evolution? Or even things like a predator-prey relationship? These are all important aspects of ecology that, when paired with a few design considerations, can teach everyone how to make any landscape an...

Staff