If you live in the Midwest, you may be used to seeing garlic mustard thriving along forested roadsides or buckthorn shrubs taking over forests and parks. These are two examples of invasive plants that have become widespread. Plants are considered invasive if they are non-native, meaning they...
It was a beautiful April Saturday afternoon at the Anita Purves Nature Center in Urbana. Like most spring Saturdays, the grounds of the nature center were full of families from the surrounding area exploring the indoor exhibits and strolling along the boardwalk through the nearby woods. Unlike most...
Emerald ash borer, bush honeysuckle, bighead carp – if any of those names made you shudder, you’re likely aware of the widespread environmental and economic harm invasive species cause in Illinois.But the first time I passionately spoke with a...
It’s July 19, 2023. Standing at a trailhead within Skokie Lagoons, I was armed with close-focus binoculars and a clipboard, about to embark on a leisurely walk. It was a pleasant summer day at 79°F, the sun brightly shining with just a couple of clouds dotting the sky, and feeling only the...
For 25 years, the Urban Coyote Research Project has been studying the ecology of urban coyotes in the Chicago area. Researchers monitor and examine coyote behavior, health, and genetics through live capture and radio-collaring, led by Dr. Stanley Gehrt from Ohio State University and Chris...
Sports enthusiasts and data lovers go hand in hand — just like hot dogs and mustard at Wrigley Field. Recently, I took a deep dive into the Illinois Department of Natural Resources database, exploring historical trends in hunting and fishing license sales, as...
What is a Master Naturalist?
We get that question a lot at University of Illinois Extension. Master Naturalists are many things: Advocates, volunteers, teachers, and environmental stewards.
Around the state and in your backyard,...
The transition zone between winter and spring is a fascinating time to explore the wildlife of Illinois. Here are a few of the neat opportunities for watching wildlife in early spring.
Want to learn more? Check out the...
The relentless wind on February nights sends skiffs of snow sliding across the rural landscape of Illinois. Average temperatures this time of year dip into the low 20s prior to dawn. For extra balance, a young wild turkey rests its breastbone on the branch of a northern red oak tree where it is...
