Thinking about building a pond on your property for wildlife, fishing, livestock, storm water containment, fire protection, or other reasons? Not sure where to start on site selection, sizing, estimating drainage area, overflow needs, embankment requirements, etc.? Explore important...
Saturated buffers are an edge-of-field option farmers can apply to reduce the amount of nitrogen runoff in water leaving their fields. Illinois Extension watershed outreach associates explain how bioreactors work to remove nitrogen and improve water quality.
The lakes, streams, and rivers of Illinois are vital for drinking water, wildlife, recreation, fishing, and industry, and everyone has a role in safeguarding water here and downstream.
Explore what nutrient pollution is by learning about the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy,...
Rain gardens and native plants incorporated into home and business landscapes can help to reduce localized flooding, improve local water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and much more. Learn how to consider natural options to handle rain runoff and walk through the recent renovation of the...
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy is a multi-agency partnership that works to keep our waterways and everything downstream healthy. Explore the three new best practices that have recently been added to the list of recommended practices: water and sediment control basins, saturated...
Explore how watershed-based planning is a collaborative, stakeholder-supported approach to improving and protecting water resources. Learn how Illinois conservation professionals are working with local stakeholders to preserve our natural resources.
More tile drainage is installed in Illinois and the Midwest every year in agricultural fields. Tile drainage allows farmers to optimize spring planting. It has also been shown to contribute nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways. Explore these edge-of-field conservation practices farmers...
Learn the basic biology of zebra mussels, an invasive species now prevalent in the Great Lakes.
What is the spread of zebra mussels in the Great Lakes and their impact on the ecology of the lakes?
Invasive quagga mussels are so entwined and influential in Lake Michigan’s food web that they are an essential first line of study. Scientists on the R/V Lake Guardian in 2015 measured the density and biomass of quaggas all across the lake using traditional sampling methods like PONAR grab...