Forestry

Events

10th Annual Backyard Maple Syrup Production Workshop and Pancake Breakfast

February 7, 2026

County

Pope

Illinois Watershed Stewards Spring 2026

February 23, 2026 - April 13, 2026

County

Adams

Brown

Pike

Hancock

Schuyler

2026 Gateway Green Conference

March 4, 2026

County

Madison

Little Grand Canyon Spring Hike and Bird

April 12, 2026

County

Jackson

Blog Posts

The science and splendor of fall foliage

October 21, 2025

With over 250 species of trees growing across Illinois, there is a guaranteed assortment of tree shapes, sizes, and forms throughout the landscape....

Beautyberry: A flashy fall performer with purple pop

October 20, 2025

Each year in late summer and fall, beautyberry catches my eye and reminds me of its fantastic fruit display. This spectacular fall shrub is a...

Walnut Caterpillars

September 28, 2025

A few weeks ago, I was exploring a woodland near Springfield and ran across a fuzzy cluster of feeding insects. It was slightly out of reach,...

The Hidden Dangers of Sharing Firewood: Protecting Our Trees

November 8, 2024

If there is one certainty for all humans is that we are drawn to natural elements. Two of the best examples are how we can become transfixed when...

More Blogs

News Releases

December 17, 2025

University of Illinois Extension Offers Free Winter Tree Identification Workshop at Carlyle Lake
Carlyle, IL — University of Illinois Extension invites nature enthusiasts and community members to attend a FREE in-person Winter Tree Identification workshop on Saturday, January 17, at 12:30 p.m. at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center.This educational program will teach participants the...

A large green circle with the words Gateway Green Conference in the center.

December 8, 2025

Conference strengthens communities against emerging environmental challenges
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Natural resource professionals play a key role in protecting our communities’ environmental assets. With ongoing research and changing conditions, it’s increasingly important to adopt responsible stewardship, manage new diseases and pests, and apply sustainable practices...

July 28, 2025

A century of data reveals declining forest diversity
URBANA, Ill. — Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have analyzed 96 years of forest census data to better understand ecological changes and inform management practices. Their study...

A group of people outside examine a tool

July 1, 2025

Learn how to manage invasive species online and in the field with statewide hybrid course
URBANA, Ill. — From your backyard to the local forest, invasive species have big environmental and economic impacts. Learn how to manage invasive plants in Introduction to Invasive Species Management, a two-day hybrid program led by University of Illinois Extension educators...

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Videos

Making Maple Syrup - A Basic Introduction

Explore the basics of all of the steps involved in making maple syrup as Extension Forester Chris Evans walks through the maple syrup production process at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois.