News & Media

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Illinois Extension strives to provide relevant, science-based information that serves residents and businesses in our area and across the state. We offer impactful insights backed by the research and public engagement resources of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

Extension Forestry News
Keep pesticides from drifting into unwanted spaces
URBANA, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Agriculture receives about 120 pesticide complaints each year; 60% of the complaints stem from a pesticide that moves from its intended target to surrounding land or water.  Off-target pesticide movement occurs when a pesticide...
Tiny tick-insect crawling on person's finger.
Small bug, big risk: Protect yourself from ticks this summer
URBANA, Ill. — When venturing in the woods this summer, don’t forget to protect yourself from a small, but dangerous creature likely lurking in trees, grass, and bushes. Ticks are easy to pick up when visiting grassy areas, woods, prairies, wetlands, deer trails, and brushy...
Keep an eye out for invasive jumping worms in the garden
URBANA, Ill. – After a long winter, Illinois gardeners are eager for the new growing season. While doing the usual preparations and tasks, home gardeners should be aware of an invasive species wriggling across the Midwest – the jumping worm. Jumping worms are non-native earthworms that...
mushroom
Edible wild mushrooms are more than just your next meal
URBANA, Ill. – Every spring, enthusiastic woodland hunters scour forests across Illinois in search of an elusive and delectable fungi, the morel. Determined foragers delight in the thrill of harvesting wild morel mushrooms, Morchella spp, that can’t be bought at a grocery...
Youth fishing program gets kids off screens, into the great outdoors
Urbana, Ill. – In the past year, screen time has increased exponentially as schools, organizations, and even socializing have gone remote.  Illinois 4-H has developed a new outdoor curriculum for junior-high age youth focused on getting kids spending time outside and enjoying the proven...
From hunt to plate, make a tasty dish of your wild game
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois hunters support the health of ecosystems, conservation efforts, and local economies. Successful hunts also provide lean, local protein for families and communities. University of Illinois Extension...
Environmental webinars explore owls, native shade gardens
URBANA, Ill. – Peer into the natural world during two University of Illinois Extension webinars. The free, online webinars explore ways humans can have positive impacts on the environment. The first webinar begins at 1 p.m. CDT on April 8. Extension Educator ...
Healthy forests start with single tree, hands-on landowners
URBANA, Ill. – The forests of Illinois are diverse, whether it’s a backyard with a few tall trees kids play under, an acre for firewood that is also home to deer and other wildlife, or a timber stand that will eventually be harvested and sold. Just in time for spring, the Illinois...