University of Illinois Extension

University of Illinois Extension Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans

University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. We serve as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Our mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.

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Did you know that everyday observations of nature are just as important to science as "big" discoveries?Anyone can contr...
09/17/2026

Did you know that everyday observations of nature are just as important to science as "big" discoveries?

Anyone can contribute important data from the comfort of a backyard or a local park to help scientists better understand the natural world with tools such as iNaturalist, eBird, Budburst, and CoCoRaHS.

Explore how to get started with the free webinar, Community Science in Your Backyard, on Oct. 1 at 1 pm.

Sign up at https://go.illinois.edu/CommunityScienceInBackyard

09/17/2026

Worried about the environment? Nature has solutions! Planting native plants and leaving them through the winter are easy ways to support your local ecosystem!

Find more nature-based solutions you can do at home at https://go.illinois.edu/EverydayEnvironment

Some insects don’t go on vacation for Illinois winters, so where do they go? Have you seen woolly bear caterpillars on t...
09/16/2026

Some insects don’t go on vacation for Illinois winters, so where do they go? Have you seen woolly bear caterpillars on the move?

Tune in to as the team chats about how insects are busy preparing for winter.

Explore which insects migrate, which stay put, and how they survive the cold months ahead.

BONUS: learn what gardeners can do this fall, from leaving leaves to delaying cleanup, to help support beneficial insects in the landscape.

🎧 Listen to anywhere you get your podcasts or online at https://extension.illinois.edu/podcasts/good-growing/ep-265-insects-fall-and-what-we-can-do-help-them-goodgrowing

🎧 Watch the videocast version at https://youtu.be/zDhAISO3wlA

🔗How do Insects Survive Cold Weather? https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2024-01-12-how-do-insects-survive-cold-weather

🔗 Woolly Bear Caterpillar/Isabella Tiger Moth: https://illinoispollinators.org/isabella-tiger-moth/

Join Illinois Extension 🌱We’re looking for a Marketing & Communications Project Manager to help lead the systems and pro...
09/16/2026

Join Illinois Extension 🌱

We’re looking for a Marketing & Communications Project Manager to help lead the systems and processes that keep our statewide marketing and communications efforts moving forward.

This hybrid role will:
🔸Manage project management system
🔹Assign work, set priorities and deadlines
🔸Track project progress and client relations
🔹Ensure brand management across all 102 counties
🔸Supervise the Office Manager in collaboration with the Director of Communications

If you’re an organized, collaborative project manager who enjoys bringing people and priorities together, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply today: https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/17922

Check out other career opportunities available with Illinois Extension: https://extension.illinois.edu/global/careers

Worried about climate change? Be part of the solution. Learn how to build a stronger, more resilient community by taking...
09/15/2026

Worried about climate change? Be part of the solution. Learn how to build a stronger, more resilient community by taking the Illinois Climate Stewards Training this fall! 🌎🤝

From extreme heat to frequent flooding, Illinois communities are already living through the impacts of climate change. Learn how to build climate-strong communities with this four-week short course that covers:
• Local public opinions and knowledge on climate
• Strategies for navigating the social and psychological aspects of climate work
• Tools for effective communication about climate impacts

Connect with local leaders, build relationships, and leave empowered with practical strategies to take action.

Sessions: Oct. 14-Nov. 4 in Quincy, the Chicago area, Champaign, Naperville (almost full), and Vienna.

Learn more and sign up by Sept. 30 at https://go.illinois.edu/ClimateStewards

With
University of Illinois Extension: Cook County
University of Illinois Extension - AJMPU Unit
University of Illinois Extension Adams Brown Hancock Pike Schuyler Unit
University of Illinois Extension: Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion
University of Illinois Extension - DuPage Kane & Kendall Counties

You’re not alone, and support is always within reach. If you or someone you care about is struggling or thinking about ...
09/15/2026

You’re not alone, and support is always within reach.
If you or someone you care about is struggling or thinking about su***de, the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline offers free, confidential help 24/7. Reaching out can be the first step toward safety, connection, and hope.

✅Learn more about available support and how to get help: https://extension.illinois.edu/everyones-mental-health-matters/su***de

Geothermal energy has a lot of potential to help communities increase energy independence through neighborhood, commerci...
09/14/2026

Geothermal energy has a lot of potential to help communities increase energy independence through neighborhood, commercial, and municipal projects.

Three Illinois communities will share their experiences with developing geothermal networks in a free online presentation, Planning for Community Geothermal, at noon on Sept. 29.

Hear updates on state energy policy and discuss how counties are permitting solar and wind projects in the context of state law from the Climate Jobs Institute and Illinois Extension.

Sign up at https://go.illinois.edu/ResilientCommunities

With: University of Illinois Extension Community and Economic Development, Prairie Rivers Network, and Illinois Climate Bank.

Some days in agriculture are nonstop. Others are full of waiting and unknowns.Both can be stressful in different ways. J...
09/14/2026

Some days in agriculture are nonstop. Others are full of waiting and unknowns.

Both can be stressful in different ways. Just recognizing that matters.

Find resources and more details to help below:

🔗 Illinois Extension Farm Mental Health: https://extension.illinois.edu/health/farm-mental-health

🔗Request Ag Mental Health Voucher at https://extension.illinois.edu/health/vouchers-ag-producers

🔗North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center – Illinois: https://farmstress.org/state-resources/illinois/

The following resources and informational websites are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in crisis, please visit your local emergency department or call 911 immediately.

North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center

The final month of summer was a wild one with intense rainfall and heavy rainstorms. Parts of central Illinois got more ...
09/13/2026

The final month of summer was a wild one with intense rainfall and heavy rainstorms. Parts of central Illinois got more than 12 inches of rain!

Illinois had already set a new annual tornado record by July 1, along with a new state hail record and more severe thunderstorm warnings than in any previous year on record. And the severe weather kept coming in August with tornado outbreaks in the Chicago area on Aug. 9 and Aug. 11.

Read more about Illinois weather with State Climatologist Trent Ford at https://stateclimatologist.isws.illinois.edu/2026/09/02/a-wild-weather-august-capped-off-an-equally-wild-summer/

It’s pumpkin time! Stay in the loop on specialty crops statewide and beyond with Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News.From ...
09/13/2026

It’s pumpkin time! Stay in the loop on specialty crops statewide and beyond with Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News.

From pest management to marketing advice, Extension experts share what they are seeing in the fields.

Read the September issue today:

Welcome, Krista, to Extension!
August rains and crop scouting
Illinois Beginning Orchard Academy
What’s up with pumpkins?
Pumpkin pests
Tomato trials updates
Events and trainings

🔗 Read the September newsletter and previous editions at https://go.illinois.edu/IFVN

Photos by Krista Howard, Nathan Johanning, and Bronwyn Aly, Illinois Extension

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