Bird populations are shrinking faster in agriculture hotspots— including the Midwest, study finds
New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.
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Most American prairies are gone. These people are working to bring them back
From a field on an Illinois university campus, to rare, untouched land in Texas, here are some efforts to replant once-abundant prairie in the Midwest and Great Plains.
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Yearslong ethanol policy standoff could cost Illinois drivers at the pump yet again
The Trump administration soon could announce that it will temporarily lift the restrictions on E15 sales during the summer amid pressure surrounding rising costs due to the conflict in Iran.
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Homer Lake Nature Center addition will bring new classroom to the park
The district is currently renovating the Homer Lake Interpretive Center.
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Who can own big cats in America? Fatal tiger attack draws scrutiny to federal rules
Some animal welfare advocates say federal regulations don’t go far enough to protect these animals and the people interacting with them.
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Champaign County takes first step towards a one-year data center moratorium
The Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals passed a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data centers.
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Mosses are the underdogs of the plant world. These scientists are trying to protect them
More than 1,600 plants and animals are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, but out of all of those, only one is a moss.
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A proposed Clean Water Act change could remove protections from 80% of American wetlands
Environmental advocates say the outlined revision ignores science and threatens water quality, while farm groups argue it offers landowners needed clarity about which parts of their land count as federally protected.
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It’s eagle nesting season in Illinois. One nesting pair calls a northern Illinois state park home
The bald eagle used to be a rare sight in Illinois. Now, there are more than 3,000 that spend the winter here.
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Illinois Democrats and Republicans introduce competing packages to regulate data centers amid concerns over power and water usage
Lawmakers from both parties argue the centers pose a significant threat to Illinois’ power grid and freshwater sources like the Mahomet Aquifer, but they are offering different visions for how to regulate the industry.
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As farmers face a changing climate, a USDA program designed to help is at risk
In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a network of “climate hubs” to understand how climate change affects agriculture and forestry and help farmers adapt to more extreme and unpredictable weather.
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Urbana Park District planning new playground, skate park, walking paths for Prairie and Weaver parks
In the coming years, the Urbana Park District is planning to install new sports facilities, paved walking trails, and a spray ground among other amenities in Prairie Park and Weaver Park.
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Trump administration again rejects Illinois’ request for disaster aid from August storm
The agency said supplemental assistance from the federal government wasn’t warranted.
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Protections from carbon sequestration and pipelines remain a key priority for Central Illinois advocates and policymakers
Alongside education funding, Faraci said he remains focused on environmental protections for the Mahomet Aquifer, the primary drinking water source for nearly one million people in Central Illinois.
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How the Trump administration is fast-tracking logging in Illinois’ only national forest
Shawnee is the only national forest in the state and one of the smallest in the nation.
