University of Illinois Extension

Events (9)

Master Naturalist Meeting

10AM - Noon

Thu, 10/28/2021 - 12:00

Fall Tree Walks

10 AM - 11:30 AM, 1 PM - 2:30 PM

Thu, 11/04/2021 - 12:00 - Wed, 11/10/2021 - 12:00

Various

Macon County Honeysuckle Sweep

9 - 11 AM

Sun, 11/07/2021 - 12:00

Fairview Park, 2095 W. Eldorado St., Decatur, IL 62522

picture of plant

MN CEU Series - Knowing your Clouds

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 12:00

Online

Clouds in the background with university and Master Naturalist logos and event title

Cultivating Connections

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Thu, 11/18/2021 - 12:00

University of Illinois Extension Education Center & Community Teaching Kitchen, 944 First Street, LaSalle, Il 61301

Master Naturalist Meeting

10AM - Noon

Thu, 12/02/2021 - 12:00

Holiday Huddle - McLean Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists

10 AM or 2 PM

Fri, 12/03/2021 - 12:00

McLean Extension Office - 1615 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704

Dragonflies

6:00 PM

Wed, 02/09/2022 - 12:00

Zoom

dragonfly with yellow wings with black markings perching on stick

Wildflower Photography

6:00 PM

Wed, 03/23/2022 - 12:00

Shannon Bayou, 3301 S. Waldron Road, Aroma Park, Illinois

woman with brown hair taking photograph in nature with camera

Blog Posts (73)

Nature's Technicolor Dreamcoat: The science of fall color

brilliant red fall color of Eastern Wahoo shrub

JDC prairie project provides many benefits to county and residents

Extension Master Naturalist in a field of native plantings

Trees can help reverse effects of climate change

green wavy leaves with acorns

The hunt for orange September, searching for monarch roosts

Many Monarchs roosting in an oak tree

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

Engagement in nature helps youth academically

little boy sitting outside looking through binaculars

Want to help wildlife in Illinois? Protect their habitat

yellow bird in wild flowers

Scat Chat: What animal droppings can tell us

animal scat on a gravel surface

Prescribed fire as a management tool

Prescribed fire sign with smoke in the air

A personal run-in with the invasive gypsy moth

adult gypsy moth on hand

Ode to the Opossum

Opossum walking on plants and rocks

Stop taking crummy snapshots: 5 tips for amazing nature photos

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

Master Naturalist Pam Tomka inspires others to enjoy nature through her grant writing skills

wall of engraved bricks

Spirals in Nature

The spiral in a pincone.

Preserve soil health with microorganisms

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

Native plant education aids natural habitat preservation

Picture of native plant Black-eyed Susan with butterfly

Periodical cicadas emerge in 2021 but the best is yet to come

Green insect emerging from it's brown shell

Species Profile - Japanese Stiltgrass

Japanese stiltgrass growing in a forest

Best Practices for Sharing Plants to Stop the Spread of Invasive Species

Stop the spread of jumping worms and other invasive species

Invasive Jumping Worms Confirmed in Peoria County

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

Pollinator Partnership honors Extension Master Naturalists

Master Naturalist volunteer holding a bag of cleaned seeds for Project Wingspan

Garden fun for families on Spring Break

terrarium with roman soldier - photo by Brittnay Haag

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.

Species Profile - Harbinger-of-Spring

Harbinger-of-spring plant in bloom

Eliminating the Competition...Allelopathy in Plants

clockwise from upper left: tree of heaven, amur honeysuckle, garlic mustard and oriental bittersweet

Leucism in Nature

Piebald Robin

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

Positive Change Can Make a Difference in Your Community

sunlight through ice covered trees

Missing the Middle: The Importance and Fragility of the Shrublands Habitat

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

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

Master Naturalists at Meadowbrook

Master Naturalist Profile: Nachusa Prairie Steward

East Central Illinois Master Naturalists

Welcome to Naturalist News

Science is learning

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

Sensational Senses

Virtual book study group keeps master volunteers connected and learning

Natures Best Hope book cover

Chautauqua Refuge gains attention through Master Naturalist’s writing skills

Get Out on the Trails

Hedge Apple Woods, Bloomington, by Rick Tindall

Adopt the Pace of Nature

lady journaling outside in a notebook

Local Master Naturalist volunteer builds website to encourage people to enjoy local natural areas

Extension Master Naturalist Julie Robinson documenting outdoor public spaces

Old Trees

Old Trees

Why Should You Draw in Your Journal?

leather journal and a pencil

Walks of Discovery

dirt path through trees

Talking Biodiversity, Habitat, and Sustainability in the American Landscape

Blog title

Master Naturalists invest time and talents volunteering at Wildlife Prairie Park

Volunteer Master Naturalist at Wildlife Prairie Park

Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle Joins Extension Team as Horticulture Educator

Nicole Flowers staff photo

Master volunteers’ involvement at Mason Tree Nursery expands to help 8-state Project Wingspan

women touching a plant sitting in classroom

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

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

Master Naturalists volunteer at Fulton-Mason Eagle Day

group of Master Naturalists standing in front of display

What I Do and Why It Matters - Christine Belless

Christine Belless in action

Science Adventure Day helps draw kids outdoors in Canton

man helping student use microscopes

Hidden Treasure

News Releases (77)

JDC prairie project provides many benefits to county and residents

Embrace the winter! Count feeder birds for science!

Cultivating Connections

Toluca Coal Mine Fall Festival hosts Marshall-Putnam Extension activities

Free learning experience offered in a take home kit

Should you make your garden tidy in the fall or spring?

Spruce and Callery pear can be problematic for your midwestern landscape

Monarch Migration Festival to take place in person

Master Naturalist Native Tree and Shrub Sale 2021

Wondering how to rid your landscape of parasitic plants?

Master Naturalist Pam Tomka inspires others to enjoy nature through her grant writing skills

Extension expands leadership focused on natural resources, energy, environment

Free learning experience offered in a take home kit

Learn about heirloom gardening and native plants at free garden tour

Weeds or wildflowers? It's a matter of perspective

Four Seasons Gardening Program Offers Free Summer Series Webinars

Master Naturalists train 15 new environmental steward volunteers

Invasive jumping worms confirmed in Peoria County

Take home kits offer learning experiences for children

It's wild out there! Learn about nature at Master Naturalist education day

The gardening methods you need to tell goodbye

Extension is here to share in your gardening triumphs and woes

Pollinator Partnership honors Extension Master Naturalists

Become a citizen scientist and record precipitation in your neighborhood

There is Still Time to Register for “A Naturalist’s Virtual Seminar” Offered by the University of Illinois Extension!

Plant tags provide valuable information

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

Planning flower gardens for those hot, dry spots

Winter take home learning kits now available through Illinois Extension

Learn to identify trees in winter with bark, twigs, buds

Expand your iris IQ

LaSalle Public Library to Host University of Illinois Extension Live Virtual Program “Winter Bird Feeding”

Carroll-Lee-Whiteside Master Naturalist Training 2021

Take home learning kits for children now available

Overwintering annuals is possible with these tips

Explore, learn and grown with Wee Naturalists virtual program

Carroll-Lee-Whiteside counties looking for Master Naturalists

October Master Gardener Column

Attend astronomy webinar to learn more about the night sky

September 2020 Master Gardener Column

Taking a deep dive into aquatic plant identification

Virtual book study group keeps Master Volunteers connected and learning

Learn how to tell which grass is which

Mushrooms of Illinois Webinar

Harvest milkweed pods; plant Monarch butterfly garden

6th Annual Monarch Migration Festival to be held online

Master Naturalist evening classes begin September 22

August Master Gardener Column by Jan Phipps

Master Naturalist Native Tree and Shrub Sale

July Master Gardener Column

Master Naturalist Applications Now Accepted for Tri-County Training in August

Get Out on the Trails This Summer

June Master Gardener Column by Jan Phipps

Local Program Taught How All Can Support Native Mason Bees

Invasive Species Symposium 2020

Take a virtual hike through Shawnee's natural areas

Master Naturalist Applications open through April 30, 2020

April Master Gardener Column

Local Master Naturalist Volunteer Builds Website to Encourage People to Enjoy Local Natural Areas

Program cancellations and postponements

All Levels of Gardening Experience Encouraged to Attend Gardeners’ BIG Day

Local Volunteers Plan Spring Fling Garden Day

February Master Gardener Column

Illinois Master Naturalist Program Accepting Applications for June Training

Winter Tree ID Walk at Spoon River College Arboretum

Mason Bees Workshop

Master Naturalists invest time and talents volunteering at Wildlife Prairie Park

University of Illinois Extension announces Four Seasons of Gardening Winter Webinar Series Dates and Topics

MidWinter Horticulture Workshop is set for January 25

Illinois Master Naturalist Training to be Held at Giant City

Campus Rain Garden Receives Upgrades

Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists Shared Information at Fair

Master Volunteers’ Involvement at Mason Tree Nursery Expands to Help 8-State Project Wingspan

Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists Share Information at Fair

University of Illinois Extension Announces New Horticulture and Naturalist Education Course

Illilnois Extension Presents Fall Harvest of Horticulture in Aledo, Ill on September 21

Master Naturalists Contribute Photos to Rend Lake Visitor Center

Staff (23)

Christine Belless staff photo

Christine Belless

Ag and Natural Resources Program Coordinator

Gemini Bhalsod

Gemini Bhalsod

Cook County Horticulture Educator

Amanda Christenson

Amanda Christenson

Master Naturalist Program Coordinator

Christopher Enroth

Christopher Enroth

Horticulture Extension Educator

Sarah Fellerer

Sarah Fellerer

Master Naturalist Program Coordinator and Kane, Kendall County Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Wendy Ferguson

Wendy Ferguson

Horticulture Program Coordinator

Mary Fisher picture

Mary Fischer

Extension Educator, Horticulture

staff photo of Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle

Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle

Agriculture and Natural Resources (Horticulture) Educator

Duane Friend

Duane Friend

Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator

Holly Froning

Holly Froning

Program Coordinator, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist-Kankakee County

Erin Garrett

Erin Garrett

Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator

Sarah Gaulke staff photo

Sarah Gaulke

Graduate Student

Doug Gucker staff photo

Douglas B. Gucker

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Dena Hyde

Dena Hyde

Agriculture Program Coordinator

Shibu Kar

Shibu Kar

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

Nancy Kuhajda

Nancy Kuhajda

Program Coordinator, Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and Master Composter-Will County

Jenny Lee

Jenny Lee

Program Coordinator, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist

Judy Lemenager

Judy Lemenager

Office Support Assistant-Kankakee County

Mary Nelson

Mary Nelson

Whiteside County Ag and Natural Resources Program Coordinator

Joy O'Keefe

Joy O'Keefe

Assistant Professor, Wildlife Extension Specialist

Meg Overocker

Extra Help, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Program Coordinator

Kimberly Rohling

Energy and Environmental Stewardship Program Coordinator

Ross Wantland

Ross Wantland

Director of Curriculum Development and Education, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion