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The USDA says in Illinois in 2021, there were 9.50 billion cubic feet of live trees in forests. (Adobe Stock)

IL environmental group monitors forests amid Biden legislation

The Biden Administration issued an executive order in 2022 to strengthen and protect America's forests and old-growth trees. Old-growth trees have …

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the smallest bird that resides in the state, at 3 to 3 1/4 inches in length, is the ruby-throated hummingbird. The largest wild bird is the trumpeter swan, with a 7-foot wingspan. (Adobe Stock)

Study finds IL birds feel the effects of climate change

A new study by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests the long-term effects of climate change could create a higher risk of extinction f…

The Environmental Protection Agency said wetlands' sponge-like ability to absorb water slows the momentum of floodwaters or a coastal storm surge. (Adobe Stock)

Action to save remaining Illinois wetlands gains steam

The Supreme Court's decision in 2023 to roll back the Clean Water Act has meant less federal oversight in protecting the country's wetlands. …

Illinois Environmental Group Seeks Ban on Pesticides Harmful to Bees

An Illinois group reported toxic pesticides are causing irreversible damage to young, developing bees, putting the bee population in decline and food …

A wetland and marsh area at Chain O' Lakes State Park. Illinois' Interagency Wetland Policy Act of 1989 set a goal of no net loss of wetlands due to projects funded by the state. (GoodFreePhotos.com)

SCOTUS Lands Gut Punch to EPA Wetland Protections

A U.S. Supreme Court decision is shaking up the environmental community in Illinois and across the country. The high court ruled 5-4 on Thursday …

Conservation efforts by the National Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups restored the U.S. wild turkey population from near extinction to thriving in almost every state in the country. (Brett/Adobe Stock)

Conservationists Urge Congress to Pass Recovering America's Wildlife Act

Environmental groups are calling efforts over the past half-century to restore the wild turkey population from the brink of extinction one of America'…

The Brandon Road Lock and Dam Project would use electric barriers, bubble screens and noisemakers, all to help prevent the spread of invasive carp into the Great Lakes. (Rock Island District)

Federal Funds Coming to Keep Invasive Carp Out of Great Lakes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to use federal funds for a project to help keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes. It is proposing using …

According to the Izaak Walton League of America, 80% of streams across the United States are not adequately monitored for pollution. (kurgu128/Adobe Stock)

"Citizen Science" Leads Group to Conservation Achievements

One hundred years ago today, the Izaak Walton League of America was founded in Chicago, with a mission of local stewardship of wild places, citizen …

Conservation groups hope President-Elect Joe Biden will reverse the Trump administration's last-minute rollback of a law that has protected migratory birds for more than a century. (Lolame/Pixabay)

Trump Administration Reverses Bipartisan Protections for Migratory Birds

CHICAGO - Conservation groups say they'll fight the Trump administration's new rule change that removes long-standing protections for migratory birds…

Groups say blocking public access to government agencies' websites violates the core principles of public participation outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act. (Fabienne/Morguefile)

Groups Question Feds' Taking Web Pages Offline During Shutdown

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Conservation groups are keeping a watchful eye on federal agency websites during the government shutdown and say some pages …

The piping plover population in the Great Lakes states is considered endangered, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (William Picard/freeimages.com)

Bird Species at New Risk if Endangered Species Act is Changed

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Bird enthusiasts and conservation groups say the Trump administration's plans to change the Endangered Species Act would make it …

Pollinators help contribute to the growth of popular summer fruits such as blueberries. <br />(Leo-seta/Flickr)

Enjoying the Fruits of Summer? Thank a Pollinator

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Illinoisans enjoy blueberries, cherries and other fruits of summer, wildlife experts are asking that they give back to …

Honeybees help pollinate billions of dollars worth of crops in the United States every year.(usda.gov)

Farmers Can Help Save Honeybees

URBANA, Ill. — A major endeavor is under way to educate soybean farmers about helping to save honeybees. The Honey Bee Health Coalition this …

Shoppers can help reduce plastic waste in the Great Lakes by skipping plastic. (noaa.gov)

Plastic Pollution Threatens Ecosystem in Great Lakes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Advocates are hoping 2018 is a year of better water quality in the Great Lakes and oceans. Carolyn Box, the Science …

Businesses and homeowners can plant plants and flowers that help pollinators thrive. (Virginia Carter)

NWF Challenge: Create a Million Pollinator Gardens

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The monarch butterfly population has declined by 90 percent over the last 20 years because of pesticides, parasites and …

The northern bobwhite is one of America's most popular and widely distributed game birds. (illinois.gov)

Farm Bill Programs Aiding Birds in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The 2018 Farm Bill soon will be debated in Congress, and advocates say not only is it crucial for agriculture, it's also …

Epidemiologist Matt Allender came up with a test for sick snakes that's much quicker and less invasive. (University of Illinois)

Scientists Fight Fungus Threatening Endangered Snake

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A fungal disease is threatening to wipe out a snake species that's already a candidate for protection under the federal …

Three insecticides are likely to harm 97 percent of threatened or endangered species, studies say. (md.gov)

Dow Chemical Pushing Trump Administration to Drop Pesticide Studies

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A conservation group is raising questions about Dow Chemical's attempts to convince the Trump administration to drop studies that …

Illinois ranks third in the nation for the amount of ethanol it produces. A new study says that comes at a cost to wildlife. (usda.gov)

Study Tallies Wildlife Habitat Loss Near Ethanol Plants

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Wildlife habitat near corn ethanol refineries has been destroyed at a fast pace since a federal law was passed to produce more …

Advocates are urging people to let the country's leaders know how much they value clean water. (globalchange.gov)

'Opt Outside' This Black Friday

CHICAGO – There's a lot of uncertainty since the results of the presidential election became known, but instead of worrying about what might …

A new report says 17 of 20 major food retailers fail when it comes to policies that protect bees and other pollinators. (Badger Rose)

Report: Major Retailers Lagging on Organic Produce

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Bees and other pollinators are responsible for one of every three bites of food we eat, but 40 percent of all pollinating …

Big-Box Stores Become More "Bee-Friendly"

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — New tests found significant decreases in the use of bee-killing pesticides on "bee-friendly" plants. That’s good news …

After bobcat hunting was made legal in Illinois last year, animal welfare groups say the animals need increased protections. (iStockphoto)

Illinois Wildlife Advocates Want Stronger Bobcat Protections

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Wildlife protection groups are backing a bill that would ban the trapping of bobcats and the sale of their pelts in Illinois…

The Illinois Prescribed Fire Council says landowners should be burning at least 213,000 more acres each year to protect wildlife habitats from invasive plants. (Ferran Salat Coll/The Nature Conservancy)

Report: For Healthier Lands, IL Needs More Prescribed Fires

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Conservation groups say Illinois could be using controlled fires more often and more effectively to help protect wildlife habitat …

Conservationists want the presidential candidates to pledge their support for clean up funds for Great Lakes areas, including Lake Michigan's shoreline. (iStockphoto)

Conservationists Want Presidential Hopefuls to Prioritize Great Lakes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Illinois voters prepare to head to the polls in the state primary Tuesday, a coalition of business and conservation …

Millions of dollars are heading to Illinois wildlife projects, including saving the endangered osprey. (iStockphoto)

IL Gets $21 million in Conservation Funding

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Several Midwestern states, including Illinois, are getting millions of dollars to help protect fishing, hunting and wildlife …

Illinois bird-lovers can take part in four free Eagle Day events in the state this weekend. (iStockphoto)

Conservationists Celebrate Success of Eagles in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The population of eagles in Illinois has hit record numbers in recent years, and conservationists are celebrating the bird's …

An animal-rights group says Illinois is once again leading the nation in legal protections for pets. (AlinaGolovko/Morgufile.com)

Illinois Tops Nation in Protecting Pets

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - For the eighth year in a row, Illinois is topping the list of states that are doing the most to bolster animal-protection laws…

As Congress debates the Land and Water Conservation Fund, sections of Illinois' Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge are at risk of losing federal funding. Credit: Timothy S. Long/The Nature Conservancy

Conservationists Push to Fund Illinois' Protected Lands

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Some of Illinois' best public spots for hunting, fishing and hiking could be at risk of losing about $54 million in federal …

A rare dragonlfy is being released into the wild in Illinois. Credit: Mike Ostrowski/Wikimedia

"Irreplaceable" Dragonfly Spreads its Wings in Illinois

LOCKPORT, Ill. – Ecologists are working to boost the population of a rare dragonfly in Illinois. The Hine's emerald dragonfly is federally …

PHOTO: Streams and watersheds in Illinois and around the nation should have greater protections in place now that the EPA has released its new Clean Water Rule. Photo credit: Vivek Prabhakar/Morguefile.

EPA Rule Clarifies Clean Water Protections in IL

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has released a new Clean …

PHOTO: Bees are disappearing in Illinois and around the globe, and scientists say a class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids are contributing to the decline in bee colonies. Photo credit: miniperium/Morguefile.

Calls in Illinois to Ban Bee-Killing Pesticide

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The sound of a buzzing bee may signal the threat of a sting, but it also means the important pollinators are doing their …

PHOTO: As summer draws to a close, a new report examines the importance of clean water for millions of Illinoisans, like the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County. Photo credit: GoodFreePhotos.com.

Summer Fun Index Highlights Importance of Illinois Waterways

CHICAGO - Whether it's for boating, fishing, or swimming, a new report indicates Illinoisans love to take to the water, and new legislation goes …

PHOTO: Supporters of new limits on carbon pollution say significant health benefits will be the result. Detractors say the new rules on power plants will slow the economy. Both sides weigh in at EPA hearings this week. Photo credit: Click / Morguefile.com.

Carbon Rules Could Bring Economic and Health Benefits

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Environmental Protection agency (EPA) is taking public comments on new rules to cut carbon pollution from power plants by …

PHOTO: State leaders say over 20 million ash trees in Illinois are either dead, dying, or have been infested by the emerald ash borer. Photo courtesy U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Illinois Firewood: Buy Local, Burn Local to Stop a Pesky Bug

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This Memorial Day weekend, many Illinoisans will enjoy time outdoors and perhaps around a campfire. And state leaders are …

PHOTO: Grass Carp have been found in unintended areas of the Great Lakes, leaving researchers concerned about their potentially destructive habits. Photo credit: US Geological Survey.

Grass Carp Overstaying Their Welcome in Illinois

CHICAGO - Fish introduced into the Great Lakes to help manage weeds could be overstaying their welcome. Grass carp feed on aquatic plants and new …

Photo: Tiny beads of plastic from facial and body cleansers have been collected from water samples in the Great Lakes, and the scientists who found them are now working to keep them out of the water system. Photo courtesy 5 Gyres Institute.

Group Takes Aim at Plastic "Microbead" Pollution in Great Lakes

CHICAGO - Tiny plastic beads from facial cleansers and body scrubs have turned up in the Great Lakes at what a scientific advocacy group calls alarmin…

PHOTO: Conservationists say a physical barrier is the only viable method to keep Asian carp in the Mississippi River from entering the Great Lakes. Photo courtesy of USFWS.

Illinois Conservationists: Barrier the Best Way to Stop Asian Carp

CHICAGO - The Chicago waterway system provides a path for Asian carp and other invasive species to make their way from the Mississippi River Basin int…

PHOTO: The peregrine falcon is among the success stories highlighted in a report marking the 40th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Frank Doyle.

Report Highlights Birds Making Comeback in Illinois

CHICAGO - Typically, being on a "D-list" is a bad thing, but not for a bird that has made Illinois a home. The peregrine falcon's delisting as a …

PHOTO: Some conservationists are warning that the increasing deer population is having a profound impact on the ecosystem, even changing the composition and structure of forests. Photo credit: Dcoetzee, via Wikimedia Commons.

Is Illinois Facing a Deer Dilemma?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - You could call it a deer dilemma; while the ungulates are beloved by many in the Prairie State, conservationists warn that …

PHOTO: Illinois groups, along with almost 300 nationwide, want to be sure conservation components of the 2013 Farm Bill aren't left behind. Photo credit: Ryan Stockwell

Farm Bill Conferees Hear About Ag-Conservation Connection

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Another deadline is looming for the next Farm Bill, as U.S. House and Senate conferees continue to work out details. Two of those …

PHOTO: The documentary film Blackfish about Tilikum, the now infamous orca responsible for three deaths while in captivity opens today. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Blackfish Documentary Raises Questions About Killer Whales in Captivity

CHICAGO – Should killer whales be kept in captivity and made to perform tricks for humans? That's a question raised in the documentary "Blackf…

Naturalist David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation, said the best protection is prevention. That can come, in part, by eliminating standing pools of water around the outside of your home, he said. Courtesy of Joaquim Alves Gaspar

Mosquito Season Means West Nile Virus Season in Illinois

CHICAGO - 'Tis the season when your time outside in the growing warmth is accompanied by the buzzes and bites of mosquitoes, and the Illinois …

Heavy equipment used to dredge contaminated sediments from Waukegan Harbor. Courtesy of: Illinois EPA

"Fighting for Scraps" - Great Lakes Automatic Budget Cuts

CHICAGO - Great Lakes advocates from Illinois and seven other states are just back from Washington, where they've been trying to convince Congress …

Invasive Stinkbugs Spreading Their Wings to Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - This spring marks a big coming-out party for invasive stink bugs. The potentially smelly pests, which didn't even exist in this …

Tossing Illinois Wild Birds a Winter Lifeline

CHICAGO - When the weather turns cold, wild bird populations in Illinois have to work hard to find enough food to survive, so now is the time that …

Environmentalists: BP Oil Spill Response "Absolutely Ridiculous"

CHICAGO - As Congressional hearings opened today into the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, some are calling for a halt to other planned drilling …

Wind Power Picks Up in Illinois

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Drivers used to see nothing but farmhouses and fields on road trips through Illinois, but now the landscape is dotted with huge …

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IL: Endangered Species & Wildlife