All fall, our Everyday Environment team has been exploring wildlife. Check in with the last blog of the season and get a sneak peek of their spring 2026 topic (pssst, it's invasives!) https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/everyday-environment/2025-11-06-unexpected-turn-human-dimensions-wildlife

How do you crowdsource nature? With community science!  We explore the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network and other community science projects on the latest Everyday Environment blog and podcasts https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

Whether you call it a hedge apple or Osage orange, this tree has a story - Indigenous people made bows from it, pioneers used the thorny tree as a living fence, and mammoths dined on it. https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2022-11-11-massive-fruit-myths-and-mastodons-osage-orange

Collisions with wildlife spike after daylight saving time ends, when more people are driving after dark. Not every collision can be avoided, but you can reduce your risk. Check out the article for tips.

Illinois is home to three praying mantids, which are a common sight in the fall, along with their egg cases. Check out the Good Growing blog for identification help.

If you learn to listen for wildlife, suddenly you start hearing them everywhere – the bark of a squirrel, the trill of a frog, the hoot of an owl. Explore Illinois' natural soundscape in the Everyday Environment blog and podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

We welcome Dr. Kevin Carey as the new assistant dean and director of Illinois 4-H! Kevin brings deep experience and service-minded leadership to this role that will help to develop future leaders who are #BeyondReady. Congrats, Kevin! 🍀 🔗go.illinois.edu/KevinCarey4H #Illinois4H #YouthDevelopment

Illinois has 9 new invasives that cannot be bought, sold, or planted, including Callery pear, tree-of-heaven, garlic mustard, leafy spurge, sericea lespedeza, and stiltgrass Details https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/nine-new-invasive-species-regulated-illinois-expansion-exotic-weeds-act

The plains pocket gopher is one “angry potato!” Learn how the only gopher found in Illinois got its nickname in the latest Everyday Environment blog and podcast with @prairieresearch.bsky.social researcher Nathan Alexander at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

The red-breasted nuthatch is an honorary "winter finch." Usually found in the Canadian north, these nuthatches will occasionally head south into Illinois in search of food.  Learn more about with Voice of the Wild, found on podcast platforms or at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

Droughts have long impacts, especially on trees. @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social spoke with Forestry Extension and Research Specialist Chris Evans about how our forests respond.

If you're cold, they're cold! A lot of Illinois is under a frost advisory tonight, so it’s time to move outdoor houseplants back inside and remove hoses from spigots. Find the full list of affected counties from @nws.noaa.gov at https://www.weather.gov

Leaders gathered Oct. 20 to celebrate the beam signing of the future Doris Kelley Christopher Illinois Extension Center. The 39,500 sq. ft. facility will be Illinois Extension's first central home, driving innovation and community impact. 🔹 Read More: go.illinois.edu/ExtensionCenterProgress

Armadillos are in Illinois. So what does that mean?  Zoologist Agustin Jimenez from Southern Illinois University joined the Everyday Environment team to talk about the armadillo's movement, behaviors, and more. Blog and podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

Are you seeing plants that are still green with oval green leaves and red berries in a wooded area? You might have invasive bush honeysuckle. Explore how to ID and remove amur bush honeysuckle this fall and winter at https://extension.illinois.edu/invasives/invasive-amur-bush-honeysuckle

Where have all the whip-poor-wills gone? Often heard and rarely seen, the eastern whip-poor-will is an iconic nocturnal woodland bird. But its numbers are declining. Learn what’s happening to whip-poor-wills in an Oct. 16 webinar at 1 pm. Sign up at https://go.illinois.edu/WhipPoorWills

By tagging, radio-collaring and collecting samples from 1,600+ coyotes, scientists with The Urban Coyote Research Project in Chicago know more about their activities and how to coexist with them Explore more in the Everyday Environment blog and podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

When it comes to managing invasive species, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work. A new Extension course gave people hands-on experience at local field days. More at https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/online-and-ground-new-program-empowers-illinois-communities-tackle-invasive-species

See a holey tree? You might have a yellow-bellied sapsucker to thank! These woodpeckers tap into trees to drink the sap and any insects that come along as they migrate through Illinois or overwinter here.  Learn more with the Voice of the Wild podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

From bass to blue gill, Illinois state-run hatcheries raise fish so they can be released to support natural populations that may be struggling. Explore more in the Everyday Environment blog and podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/everydayenvironment with Kayleigh Smith from @illinoisdnr.bsky.social

Not all fall-blooming flowers are to blame for seasonal allergies. If you're sneezing, ragweed and its airborne pollen are likely the culprit, but showy goldenrod blooms often get accused. Learn more https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2022-10-21-autumn-allergies-dont-blame-goldenrod

Seeing starlings? These non-native invasive birds start to gather in the fall, with roosts as large as tens of thousands. Their large flocks often fly in synch – called mumuration – twisting into different shapes across the sky. Learn more https://extension.illinois.edu/invasives/european-starlings

A charismatic, bold bird, the blue jay has a lot to say! This easily identifiable bird is common in towns, especially those with oaks that produce their favorite food – acorns! Learn more with the Voice of the Wild podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

Go from "yup, that's a tree" to "that's a white oak!" with the Forest Trees of Illinois field guide. Get a better understanding of almost 150 native and introduced tree species with this guide available to purchase at https://go.illinois.edu/ForestTreesIL

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam! 🎵 Good thing there is a place in Illinois for the American bison, AKA the buffalo, to graze on restored tall grass prairies, including the Nachusa Grasslands. Explore more with Elizabeth Bach from @nature.org at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

Today, we're excited to welcome Dr. Matthew Vann as Illinois Extension’s new Associate Dean & Director! “Together, we will chart a bold, responsive path forward — rooted in listening, innovation, and a deep belief in Extension’s power to improve lives,” says Vann.

While the chirp of the fall field cricket is just background noise when outside, anyone who’s had one drawn to the warmth of their garage or home can tell you they are very loud…and very hard to find.  Learn more with the Voice of the Wild podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

Does that baby bird need help, or is it fine? Knowing when to help wildlife and when to step back can be hard.  Find out what to do in the latest Everyday Environment blog and podcast with guests from the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

A third of Illinois is in at least moderate drought, with conditions intensifying and nearing record levels in parts of southern and central Illinois. Find drought updates from the Illinois State Climatologist at https://go.illinois.edu/IllinoisDrought

The round-tipped cone head is a katydid that will start singing their buzzy call starting in mid-August until frost hits.  Learn more about nature calls with the Voice of the Wild podcast on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms or online at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

A turtle's shell protects it from a lot, but not a car. It's a hard truth that roadways split up habitat, pollute the environment, and lead to costly collisions for people and wildlife. So what can we do? Learn more with Everyday Environment at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

Love that nighttime summer chorus of insects and frogs? The lesser anglewing's short, raspy rattle can be heard in the mix, calling from the tops of trees. Learn more with the Voice of the Wild podcast on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or online at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

How do you study something you can't see? Environmental DNA is giving scientists new insights into wildlife by collecting their genetic material from the water, air, and soil.  Explore more with conservation biologist Mark Davis at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

Is the Illinois electrical grid resilient? Don't be in the dark about our state's power needs, goals, and community-driven solutions. Sign up for free for the webinar Building a Resilient Illinois Energy Grid at noon on Sept. 16 at https://go.illinois.edu/ResilientCommunities2025.

The Midwest is home to 12 common katydids. The latest episode of the Voice of the Wild podcast is your key to katydid calls!  Check out the Voice of the Wild podcast on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms or online at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

Quail used to be common across Illinois, but in a story that's similar to many other wildlife species, as the landscape has changed, there has been less habitat. Explore more about quail conservation in the Everyday Environment blog and podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

When you flick a switch the power turns on, but what does it take to make that happen now and in the future? 💡 Don't be in the dark about community power needs. Sign up for free for the webinar Energy Grid Resiliency 101 at noon on Sept. 9 at https://go.illinois.edu/ResilientCommunities2025

Walker's cicada is heard July-October in Illinois in creeks and swamps. This colorful insect is larger than most of the other common annual cidadas. Learn its call with the Voice of the Wild podcast on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms or https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

We’ll be there, will you? #FPS25 Stop by, say hello, and travel through various tables, filling the tent with research updates and conversations. 📍Farm Progress Show | Aug. 26-28 | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – College of ACES and Illinois Extension  Booth # 34W

Stay in the loop on the latest in pesticide safety issues, regulatory information, and changes in pesticide registration label status with the Illinois Pesticide Review newsletter. 🔗 Read the August newsletter issue at https://extension.illinois.edu/newsletters/julyaugust-2025

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Matthew Vann as Illinois Extension’s new Associate Dean & Director, starting Sept. 22! “Together, we will chart a bold, responsive path forward — rooted in listening, innovation, and a deep belief in Extension’s power to improve lives,” says Vann.

Midwest oak trees are a keystone species that support ecosystems, but they're dying off after years of drought.  Extension Forestry Research Specialist Chris Evans spoke about the impact in southern Illinois

Keep up with Illinois field crop progress from Illinois Extension educators across the state.  🔗 Aug. 15 Crop Report in The Bulletin from @farmdocdaily.bsky.social: https://farmdoc.illinois.edu/field-crop-production/illinois-crop-update-august-15-2025.html

#DYK Illinois is home to 6 species of cicadas? Learn how to distinguish their calls with the Voice of the Wild podcast on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or online at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild 6 cicada species: Scissor grinder, dog day, morning or swamp, Linne's, lyric, and Walker's

Looking for #wildlife? You don't have to look too far - Illinois is home to thousands of fish, birds, plants, and insects! Explore how we can coexist - from squirrels to snakes - with the latest Everyday Environment blog and podcast at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

As growing seasons shift, keep the learning going with two new fall webinars from Extension's Four Seasons Gardening series. Sept. 30: Be a Seed Shaker: Which Are Worth Saving?  Oct. 21: Reclaiming Runaway Landscapes 🔗 Register: https://go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons

The chimney swift has adapted to building its nests in cities, where it can be seen foraging for insects. Watch for these #birds in the fall at dusk around old chimneys, where they will return to roost. Listen to Voice of the Wild wherever you get podcasts or https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild

Think outside the [box] turtle with an Aug. 21 Everyday Environment webinar exploring 20 years of turtle research that tells us a lot about the land and water where they live. Sign up for "Saving the World One Box Turtle at a Time" for free at https://go.Illinois.edu/EETurtle

#DYK all toads are frogs but not all frogs are toads? 🐸 - Frogs: Long, strong hind legs for big leaps into water when startled - Toads: Short legs; sit and wait before taking small jumps

Illinois is home to several different species. The song of the lyric cicada is a steady toned whirr that doesn't pulsate Learn about the lyric cicada with Voice of the Wild on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms or online at https://go.illinois.edu/VoiceoftheWild