University of Illinois Extension

Events (2)

Orion and Beyond: Winter Night Sky Tour | Everyday Environment

Thu, 12/08/2022 - 12:00

Online

deep space with stars in background

Gardeners' BIG Day 2023

Sat, 04/15/2023 - 12:00

Spoon River College, Canton

pink rose

Blog Posts (126)

What’s the difference between snow, sleet, and freezing rain?

icy road during winter

Leave grasses intact in the garden through fall and winter

grass covered in ice

Let's talk turkey: Fact or fiction

Trio of wild turkeys in a snow dusted field

New 4-H Adventures in Nature challenged youth and adults to reap the benefits of spending more time outdoors

man looking in microscope

Extension Master Gardeners partner with Canton Park District to develop tree walks

woman looking at and pointing at a tree trunk

Rivers in the air: Atmospheric rivers can lead to lots of West Coast rain

More than trees: enjoy the fall color of grasses

landscape view of a prairie in fall, with reddish grasses and white wildflowers

Illinois’ state grass: Big Bluestem

landscape view of turkeyfoot seed heads of Big Bluestem

What’s the difference between a weather forecast and a climate scenario?

World map with green trees and continents represented as lakes

Identifying warm-season grasses: Indiangrass

indiangrass inflorescence

Share space and give your wildlife neighbors a chance

black and white skunk in straw bed

What are the Dog Days of Summer?

Glowing sun behind trees spilling rays of light over a grassy late summer meadow

Grasses can be purple?

purple inflorescences of purpletop

Breaking down the rye grasses

clump of Canada wild rye in bloom

Identifying River Oats

Golden spikelets of River Oats growing in full sun

Comparing the foxtails

patch of giant foxtail, with drooping inflorescences

Identifying the Grama Grasses

close up of the spikelets of side oats grama grass, looking like little red eyelashes

What’s growing? A look at Gama Grass

grassy edge with gama grass in bloom

Picking the right tree for your windbreak

a stand of trees forming a windbreak

Ozone, protector of life on earth

Rays of light from the sun above a layer of clouds over the earth.

Tips for a creating a successful windbreak

A windbreak of evergreens

5 family friendly activities for rainy days

little girl under an umbrella outside on a rainy day

Celebrate Earth Day

fancy photo of a glass marble reflecting the grass, trees, and sky

5 resources to help you get back to nature this spring

A womand and man lifing up a child by their arms as they walk in the woods

Master Naturalists involved with Citizen Science programs

Master Naturalist Mary Zehner holding binaculars close to face

Unique soil conditions create biodiversity in Flatwood Forests

trees woodland area

Asian lady beetles move indoors for winter

two red insects, a lady bug and a lady beetle.

Crows come home to roost

crows roosting in tree tops at dusk with moon rising in background

Wild songbird illness still undiagnosed

grackle bird perching on bird feed cage

Tree Frogs are Hopping

Gray Tree Frog on Porch Door

Dealing with pumpkins after Halloween: Debunking social media advice

rotted pumpkin

Trees can help reverse effects of climate change

green wavy leaves with acorns

Fall and winter forecast looks mild, but keep mittens close

Save wetlands, use soilless potting mixtures

composte bins in yard

Fall is spider season as orb-weavers spin bigger webs

Yellow garden spider, Argiope aurantia by James Braselton, Bugwood.org

Using natives in a home landscape

Purple coneflowers and other native plants in front of house

Want to help wildlife in Illinois? Protect their habitat

yellow bird in wild flowers

Prescribed fire as a management tool

Prescribed fire sign with smoke in the air

Climate Change Adaptations for the Urban Forest

Urban trees provide a variety of benefits which are going to be increasingly important as climate change impacts Illinois in coming years.

What is that lazy, crazy haze?

hazy sky

Stop taking crummy snapshots: 5 tips for amazing nature photos

Photos of mushrooms, Celendine poppy and Luna moth by Chris Evans

Quiz Answers: How well do you know weather?

weather map with Q&A icon on top of it

Spirals in Nature

The spiral in a pincone.

What is the difference between a tornado watch and warning?

illustration of a cartoon man watching a tornado "whats' the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?"

Adding more blooms to your garden invites more birds

humming bird feeding from zinnias

The robins have returned, but did they ever leave?

American Robin male bird

How non-native teasel went from good to absolutely bad

teasel

Feral Swine: Potentially the most threatening invasive yet

feral swine

How to reduce food waste at home

trashcan full of food next to the text, reduce food waste at home

Tread lightly as the hunt begins for morel mushrooms

How not to retire when you retire - join the Master Naturalists

Edible wild mushrooms are more than just your next meal

Three morel mushrooms

Why did the snake cross the road? Illinois reptiles migrate safely with spring road closure

Cottonmouth snake coiled

Three astounding benefits of creating art from data

photo of rainbow colored paper arranged in a design

Why garlic mustard succeeds when other plants fail

Forest path with second year garlic mustard growing in it.

Leucism in Nature

Piebald Robin

Are average temperatures 'normal'?

weather chart

Reason for the Rime

Rime ice accumulating over a hoar frost.

Winter: A time for storytelling

open book with light and stars coming out of the pages

Ice Accumulation on Trees and Shrubs

Ice accumulation yesterday resulted in damage to many trees and shrubs in our area.

How winter salt can damage landscape plants

The frosty accumulation of ice crystals on these spruce needles resulted from the wafting spray of an adjacent (untreated) roadway and serves to illustrate how salt spray can accumulate on plant parts.

How the Eastern Grey Squirrel became our urban neighbors

Eastern Grey Squirrel with snow on nose

Many ways to recycle the Christmas tree

Nature’s Current Event: Frost Flowers

Ice formations at the base of plants

Master Naturalist Profile: “The Butterfly Lady”

Master Naturalist, Rhonda Brady on school bus full of kids

Light is magical

light streaming through trees

Nature's Current Event - The Beaver Moon

Beaver chew

Species Profile – Crawfish Frog

Crawfish frog adult

Nature's Current Events: Sandhill Crane Migration

Sandhill Crane in a wetland

Event: Annual Day of Learning

Tree Identification

What we have in common

Species Profile: White Oak

Upper branches of white oak tree

Ecological Profile: Hill Prairies of Illinois

Hill Prairie overlooking river

Project Profile: Kids and Nature

Kids walking on log over shallow creek in local park

Local OPAL- Guiding People to Nature

Contemplation of trees

looking up from the ground into the sky between tall trees with green leaves

Forest Management, HIPP and RCPP

illinois forest

Master Naturalist Profile: Nachusa Prairie Steward

Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid

Native Plants and Biodiversity

Prescribed Burning

Garlic Mustard and Phenology

creekbed garlic mustard

Spotted Wing Drosophila

spotted wing drosophila

Climate Change and USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Part Three

Climate Change and USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Part Two

Climate Change and USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Part One

American Ginseng

Natural Lawn Care

East Central Illinois Master Naturalists

The Monarch Butterfly

National Pollinator Week

The Headwaters Invasive Plants Partnership

Aquaponics

Wild Ramps

Vegetable Gardening in the Midwest

Welcome to Naturalist News

Cover Crops

Our Moon and the Old Farmer's Almanac

Science is learning

items from a science classroom. pencils, a beaker, and science textbook

Sensational Senses

Grow your own vegetables to benefit your health and the environment

women working in garden

A Question of Community

man and woman fist bumping each other

Plant Pathogen Spread

The alien-looking fingers protruding from these crabapples release spores that can infect trees in the juniper family to perpetuate cedar-apple rust disease.

Plant Phenology for Identification

The tufted seedheads of reed canary grass are easily noticed this time of year.

When in doubt, go out, outside, that is

woman sitting on a fallen tree stump reflecting

Early History of Pollinators and Plants

This two-spotted bumble bee forages pollen on the flower of a spirea shrub

Think food safety before you hit the trails

Hiking trail in the woods.

The Power of Questions

question marks on blue, pink, yellow and orange post it notes

Two trees you should never plant in Illinois - Colorado blue spruce and Callary Pear

Colorado blue spruce is a non-native, commonly planted landscape tree that suffers from many issues here in Illinois.

Invasive Species

Garlic mustard is in full bloom right now with clusters of tiny white flowers and distinctive leaves that have a garlic-like aroma when crushed.

Sense of Wonder

sense of wonder

Starting a Garden: Season Extension

Cold frame with vegetables growing inside in the fall.

Adopt the Pace of Nature

lady journaling outside in a notebook

Rapid Response to Ramorum Blight

This rhododendron shoot is infected with the pathogen Phytopthora ramorum, displaying the typical symptoms of ramorum blight. PC UI Plant Clinic

Weeding out Invasives

The green foliage in this picture is bush honeysuckle, which is an invasive species that dominates forest understories in Illinois. If not weeded out...

Landscape Drainage for Homeowners

A puddle

Bald Eagles: Noble bird or thieving scavenger?

Bald Eagle

Walks of Discovery

dirt path through trees

Talking Biodiversity, Habitat, and Sustainability in the American Landscape

Blog title

Pick the Christmas Tree Right for You - Artificial vs. Real

Why do some trees retain leaves over winter?

This young swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) has retained its leaves while the maples on either side have already dropped theirs. Many of our native oaks keep their leaves all winter as young trees.

Feathered Friends and Fireplaces

Woodpile

College of ACES dean and extension director connect with staff and stakeholders

Dr. Shelly Nickols-Richardson shaking hands with a 4-H teen

Street flooding? Your neighborhood right of way could be part of the solution

Right of way raingarden view. Rendering by Gabriel Harper-Hagen

Why you should care about natural resources in Illinois

Mowing for Monarchs

orange and black monarch butterfly perched on milkweed plant

News Releases (103)

New 4-H Adventures in Nature challenged youth and adults to reap the benefits of spending more time outdoors

Illinois report says native fish overlooked as invaders in U.S. waters

Mountain lions on the move through Illinois, not here to stay

Bats protect young trees from insect damage, with three times fewer bugs

Best way to estimate costs for invasive plant removal? Get out and dig

Researchers explore soil erosion nutrient runoff in Illinois waterways

Young Garden Explorer’s Day triples in attendance

New video series highlights five revitalized Great Lakes Areas of Concern

West Central Illinois invests in future of farming with new agricultural center

Discover Monarch butterflies at local festival

Protect the delicate balance of our natural world

Illinois Extension program teaches rainscaping practices

Farmers: What do you need to know about ecosystem market opportunities?

Producers and consumers must share burden of global plastic packaging waste

Renewable energy project demonstrates efficiencies, benefits of clean energy geothermal systems

Next Master Naturalist training begins in August for tri-county area

Prevent the spread of invasive species in Illinois

Bat box design, placement matter for energy balance in endangered bats

Plant a tree in McDonough County; Help the planet

Inspired by nature, take home kits provide learning experience for youth

Neighborhood trees may protect against high medical costs, poor health

New hybrid model expands Master Gardener and Naturalist training options

Map reveals widespread lead pollution in Chicago backyards, parkways

New climate change specialist strengthens Illinois’ commitment to environmental stewardship

Learn the art of Nature Journaling at the Carolyn Mason Education Day

Plant a tree in Knox County; Help the planet

Recycling becomes focus in McDonough County initiative

4-H offers new nature-based family activities

Pollinator pockets

Free online webinar introduces Latin naming system for plants

Natural world guides archaeologists in their investigation of ancient people

Log on for forestry expertise woodland owners can use

Environmental educator to bring west-central Illinois nature to your backyard

Carbon may soon be stored in Illinois' underground rock

Improve your forest one tree at a time

Plant a tree; help the planet: Illinois 4-H tackles global issues locally

JDC prairie project provides many benefits to county and residents

Keep pharmaceuticals out of local waterways with drug take back day

Don’t dump Halloween pumpkins; donate or compost them

Reclamation programs help communities transition abandoned mines

Free learning experience offered in a take home kit

4-H'ers across the state can soak up facts directly from a scientist

Extension work highlighted in recent Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Biennial Report

Extension Master Gardeners create native landscaping demonstration at Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon

Natural lawn care made easy with new eco-friendly guide

Illinois youth leaders become global changemakers

Geothermal systems bring smaller footprint to scalable, renewable energy

Summer blooms simplify warm-season grass identification

Extension expands leadership focused on natural resources, energy, environment

Free learning experience offered in a take home kit

Educator Duane Friend honored for 30 years of soil, water conservation

Applying herbicides in natural settings lowers costs, increases efficiency

Small bug, big risk: Protect yourself from ticks this summer

Bring your food scraps to help our environment and learn about composting

Native plant education aids natural habitat preservation

Save baby wildlife by stepping back; rescues rarely needed

What’s in a name? Non-native species not the same as invasives

Community participation needed in rural recycling survey

Edible wild mushrooms are more than just your next meal

New directory connects Illinois woodland owners with professional foresters

Take home kits offer learning experiences for children

Great Lakes educators reflect on their Lake Guardian experiences

Youth take on the role of citizen scientists in nesting study

Get rid of weeds and insects at home without pesticides

Warmer temperatures rouse reptiles for spring migration

Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative to outline proposals at April 9 meeting

Environmental webinars explore owls, native shade gardens

Assortment of cool-season grasses add beauty to spring

Healthy forests start with single tree, hands-on landowners

Coles County gets $106,000 grant for Embarras River project

Illinois Extension honors 30-year rainfall reporting volunteers

Protect plants from winter salt damage

Explore financial incentives for environmentally-friendly farm practices

Getting to know Illinois' largest hibernator this Groundhog Day

Water quality concerns to be discussed in online meetings

“A Naturalist’s Virtual Seminar” Offered by the University of Illinois Extension

Country ponds need help to stay healthy, beautiful

Driftless Region Beef Conference equips producers with facts for environmental debate

Winter take home learning kits now available through Illinois Extension

4-H service project brushes off invasives at state park

Every day is a good day for environmental stewardship

Carroll-Lee-Whiteside Master Naturalist Training 2021

Explore, learn and grown with Wee Naturalists virtual program

Green infrastructure can promote social justice, fight climate change

Slow down, stay alert: Deer-vehicle accidents peak in fall

Carroll-Lee-Whiteside counties looking for Master Naturalists

Scientists bring the Great Lakes to students learning from home

Red Oak Rain Garden nears completion with award of grants

Attend astronomy webinar to learn more about the night sky

Tree stand safety for deer hunters starts on the ground

Local 4-H staff, teens offer national water quality program

Taking a deep dive into aquatic plant identification

Census count determines wildlife, environment funding

Learn how to tell which grass is which

6th Annual Monarch Migration Festival to be held online

Find nature in your backyard with environmental webinar series

When hail freezes over

Website serves ag, natural resource industries

Master Naturalist Applications open through April 30, 2020

Wee Naturalists Monthly Program at Odell Library in Morrison Feb 22

Soil and Water Management training to take place in Monmouth

Tips to Help Drivers Avoid Deer Vehicle Accidents

Illinois Extension has Resources to help with Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategies

Staff (22)

staff photo of Earl Allen

Earl Allen

County Director

C. Eliana Brown

Carolyn Eliana Brown

Water Quality Specialist

Alex Burbach

Alex Burbach

Jo Daviess County Program Coordinator

Rachel Curry

Rachel Curry

Watershed Quality Outreach Associate

Peggy Doty

Peggy Doty

Natural Resources, Environment and Energy Educator

Christopher Enroth

Christopher Enroth

Horticulture Educator

Wendy Ferguson

Wendy Ferguson

Horticulture Program Coordinator

Duane Friend

Duane Friend

State Master Naturalist and Climate Change Specialist

female, white, brown hair, business attire.

Abigail Garofalo

Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator

Erin with colorful sweater outside with road and trees background

Erin Garrett

Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator

Doug Gucker staff photo

Douglas B. Gucker

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Judy Hodge

Judy Hodge

Program Coordinator

Shibu Kar

Shibu Kar

Assistant Dean, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Program Leader

Layne Knoche

Layne Knoche

Visiting Extension Outreach Associate

Jenny Lee

Jenny Lee

Program Coordinator, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist

Amy Lefringhouse

Amy Lefringhouse

Natural Resources, Environment and Energy Educator

Donna Nuger

Donna Nuger

4-H Youth Development Educator

Joy O'Keefe

Joy O'Keefe

Assistant Professor, Wildlife Extension Specialist

Shannon Range 4-H Youth Development Educator

Shannon Range

4-H/Youth Development Extension Educator

Curtis Sinclair

Curtis Sinclair

4-H Specialist, Natural Resources and Shooting Sports

Stanley (Jay) Solomon

Stanley (Jay) Solomon

Extension Educator Natural Resources, Environment & Energy

Sarah Zack

Sarah Zack

Pollution Prevention Extension Specialist