University of Illinois Extension

Events (1)

Winter Trails and Naturalist Tales - 2023

Sat, 01/28/2023 - 12:00

Torstenson's Education Center 13735 Cook Road, Pecatonica, IL

Blog Posts (68)

Invasive Species and Birds

Let's talk turkey: Fact or fiction

Trio of wild turkeys in a snow dusted field

Providing winter hospitality to wildlife

Managing thirteen-lined ground squirrel

a thirteen-lined ground squirrel eating a seed

Labeling is an Important feature of a plant collection

Conservation Status of the Monarch Butterfly

Goldenrods and asters are the stars of fall

Goldenrods and asters provide some of the showiest flowers of fall, but can be aggressive in gardens if not planted appropriately.

Attracting wildlife with native plants

blackcapped chickadee with a caterpillar in it's mouth

Share space and give your wildlife neighbors a chance

black and white skunk in straw bed

Sunflowers symbolize summer, elevate garden displays and double as a snack for wildlife

focus on one sunflower in front of a field of sunflowers lit from behind by sun

Be vigilant about bird diseases

flying geese over lake silhouetted against sunrise

Pelicans make a pitstop in Illinois on spring migration

three white pelicans on a lake

More Seasonal FAQs from the Master Gardener Help Desks

5 ways to attract Hummingbirds to your yard

ruby throat hummingbird feeding from flower

Early spring tasks before the growing season begins

Of blue jays and pin oaks: How jays have shaped our oak forests around the world

blue jay bird holding an acorn in its beak

Baldfaced Hornet: Dangerous bug or beneficial insect?

baldfaced hornets entering and leaving their nest

Asian lady beetles move indoors for winter

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

The funky, fidgety wildbird of Illinois Winters: dark-eyed junco

dark eyed junco bird perches on snowy branch

Crows come home to roost

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

Common questions answered as we transition to winter

Ravaging rodents and fall planted bulbs

Wild songbird illness still undiagnosed

grackle bird perching on bird feed cage

Fall garden clean up with pollinators and other wildlife in mind

Fall garden clean up with pollinators and other wildlife in mind. Gold finch feeding on purple coneflower seeds

Tree Frogs are Hopping

Gray Tree Frog on Porch Door

Coexisting with snakes: What kinds of gardening mesh are safe for snakes?

black racer snake entangled in plastic mesh

Scat Chat: What animal droppings can tell us

animal scat on a gravel surface

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

Invasive jumping worm confirmed in west-central Illinois

Jumping worm

Celebrate Pollinator Week by Growing Native Plants

Two-spotted bumble bee on a spirea flower

Tick prevention and removal

Tick photo and tick bite prevention graphic

Grow herb gardens for more than the kitchen

Flowering herbs provide ornamental beauty to the edge of this pollinator garden

The robins have returned, but did they ever leave?

American Robin male bird

Feral Swine: Potentially the most threatening invasive yet

feral swine

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

Green insect emerging from it's brown shell

9 native Illinois shrubs for sun and shade

Amorpha canescens - Lead Plant - Layne Knoche

Wildlife Babies

Cottontail rabbit babies in nest.

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

Spring Garden Cleanup

Standing dead stems are important overwintering habitat that should not be removed from the garden until insects emerge later in spring.

Leucism in Nature

Piebald Robin

What’s the best thing to feed the birds?

chickadee at a feeder

What to do with live Christmas tree after the holidays

tree cookies hanging from woody vine

How the Eastern Grey Squirrel became our urban neighbors

Eastern Grey Squirrel with snow on nose

Raising Reindeer

herd of reindeer

Nature's Current Event - The Beaver Moon

Beaver chew

Feed the birds with DIY feeders

Erin Minuskin - https://unsplash.com/

Winter Protection for Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs

Metal hardware cloth is a great material to protect young trees and shrubs from winter browsing wildlife.

Species Profile – Crawfish Frog

Crawfish frog adult

Preparing for feathered and furry winter visitors (both invited and uninvited)

Fall finds: praying mantis egg cases

the foamy-looking egg case of a chinese mantis clings to a cluster of twigs

Purple Martins

Great Gardening at Danville Area Community College: Local college hosts a wide variety of winter horticulture

Charles Darwin and Orchids

Bird Migration and Native Shrubs

Gardening with Reptiles

Goldenrods for Landscaping

Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ is a cultivar of our native wrinkle-leaved goldenrod that provides a spectacular display of fireworks-like flowers for up to 2 months in late summer and fall.

Wildlife in the fall garden

fox squirrel in foreground of fall or winter tree limbs.

Pollinator Pockets

Submit your application today so you can proudly post a Pollinator Pockets sign in your garden.

Get Out on the Trails

Hedge Apple Woods, Bloomington, by Rick Tindall

Recommended Replacements for Problem Trees

Native hawthorn trees are in full bloom this week with a canopy filled with tiny white flowers.

Wildlife-friendly gardens add more enjoyment and interest

praying manthis in zinnia

Harbinger of Spring

Photo Credit: Teresa Dewitt

Bald Eagles: Noble bird or thieving scavenger?

Bald Eagle

Snake Prevention and Management

The American Robin: Living up to its superhero image

Mowing for Monarchs

orange and black monarch butterfly perched on milkweed plant

News Releases (37)

Hunters, meat processors, and food pantries aim to solve hunger

Deer Donation program receives $25,000 to help feed Central Illinois families

Share your time and talents and become a Glacier's Edge Master Naturalist

Study: Canada geese beat humans in longstanding territory battle

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

Bats’ midnight snacks reveal clues for managing endangered species

Gardening advice now available 'in the air'

Give monarch butterflies something to munch on, plant native milkweeds

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

Take steps to help stop avian flu in wild birds, domestic flocks

Winter brings new opportunities for plant care

Coexisting with snakes: What type of mesh is safe for snakes?

Be cautious; watch for deer on roads in fall

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

Fall is for feathered friends, fireplaces

Create a bird-friendly yard

Save baby wildlife by stepping back; rescues rarely needed

Researchers call on backyard scientists to help save pollinators

Keep them around; snakes eat pests that eat your plants

Edible wild mushrooms are more than just your next meal

Does your child love nature and wildlife? Jr. Naturalist may be for them

Warmer temperatures rouse reptiles for spring migration

Environmental webinars explore owls, native shade gardens

Vulture attacks eat away income for livestock producers

Getting to know Illinois' largest hibernator this Groundhog Day

Is local wildlife trying to make itself at home in your home?

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

Learn from home with Good Growing Winter Webinars

Keep deer away from your plants this fall

Census count determines wildlife, environment funding

Conservation virtual workshop provides best practices for landowners and managers

Nature adapts when heat waves hit

Find nature in your backyard with environmental webinar series

Campus rain garden certified as wildlife-friendly

Uncover secrets of the environment

Staff (3)

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

Kevin Rohling

Kevin Rohling

Forestry Research Technician