Blog Archive | Illinois Extension

Picture of native plant Black-eyed Susan with butterfly

Native plant education aids natural habitat preservation

May 6, 2021

Each year in the United States, over one million acres of native habitat are transformed into urban and suburban lawns. The loss of these native plant resources is directly related to the decline of the native bird population by 3 billion birds. As news of species decline becomes more common,...

Finish this story

4-H alumni give back as volunteers

May 6, 2021

Once a 4-Her, always a 4-Her. According to the Illinois 4-H Alumni Association, 25 million Americans share the unique bond of being a 4-H alum, each with a unique story. Whether it's spending time at 4-H camp, conquering public speaking...

Finish this story

Tara Heath joins Extension horticulture team

April 7, 2021

Horticulture has been a part of Tara Heath’s life since she was a little girl. After a 20 year career focused on landscape management, Tara has joined the University of Illinois Extension team as the horticulture program coordinator serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and...

Finish this story

4-H Federation members develop leadership skills by offering encouragement

April 7, 2021

The best leaders are those who also serve others. 4-H offers a wide variety of opportunities for youth to develop those servant leadership skills. The four 4-H Federation groups in Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties have worked hard over the past year encouraging others through 12 various...

Finish this story

Extension Master Gardeners standing by flower bed

Extension Master Gardeners educate the community about native plants at Morton Public Library

April 7, 2021

Education and beauty go hand-in-hand with the new native plant landscape project at Morton Public Library. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners in the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit worked to...

Finish this story

New Connection Corner blog provides tools to support youth mental health during stressful times

March 10, 2021

Youth and families are currently impacted by a variety of stressful events outside of their control. Changes in normal routines, limited social interaction with friends and families, and missed significant life events can all increase the stress and anxiety children and families are feeling....

Finish this story

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

Pollinator Partnership honors Extension Master Naturalists

March 10, 2021

The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists of Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties were honored in January 2021 by Pollinator Partnership for Project Wingspan as the Most Engaged...

Finish this story

Picture of SNAP-Ed community worker preparing a recipe for online education

SNAP-Ed Healthy Cents lessons reach adults online

March 10, 2021

While it is important to educate people about nutritious eating, it is equally important to teach them how they can afford nutritious foods on a budget. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education (SNAP-Ed) staff at University of Illinois Extension staff offer Healthy Cents 12-part series...

Finish this story

On-line Extension Master Gardener training sees increase in unit participation

February 15, 2021

The number of people going through online training to become a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener increased in 2020. Since the summer of 2020, twelve people have enrolled in online training program from Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties. This is an increase from 2019...

Finish this story

Central Illinois communities convening on coal plant transition planning

February 15, 2021

In the fall of 2019, the communities of Canton and Havana were hit with the shocking news that Vistra Corp. planned closing the local coal-fired power plants within three months. Community leaders were left to navigate the detrimental impacts to their tax base and workforce and they turned to each...

Finish this story

Tazewell 4-H members experience a unique drive-thru award ceremony

February 15, 2021

The skill mastery exhibited during the 2020 Virtual 4-H Shows seemed extra special this year and deserved an extra special recognition. A drive-thru awards ceremony was held honoring the Tazewell County 4-H Virtual Show exhibitors. “An important part of the 4-H experience is the recognition of...

Finish this story

Extension Snapshots 2021