Farmers in Illinois may lose conservation resources, allowing soil to ‘fly in the breeze’
After two years of funding cuts in Illinois, conservation advocates worry that soil health could suffer – and dust storms could become a greater risk.
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Millions of acres of Midwest forest were left vulnerable by a storm. What’s being done to protect it?
A massive ice storm hit northern Michigan in late March, knocking down limbs and trees across an estimated 3 million acres. The acres of fallen trees and brush have created concern over invasive species and the looming threat of wildfires.
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Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals. Trump has the industry in his crosshairs.
President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans earlier this month curtailed federal tax incentives for the solar energy industry and for individuals and companies that purchase solar panels.
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Some farmers are using this new, experimental practice to help prevent flooding
Across much of the Midwest, the atmosphere is becoming warmer and retaining more water, leading to heavier downpours. A two-crop system called relay intercropping could help farmers buffer weather whiplash and boost profits.
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Carbon sequestration and the Mahomet Aquifer: scientists break down what you need to know
Carbon sequestration’s use is expanding on a large, commercial scale. Here’s what experts say people need to know about the controversial technology.
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America depends on hydroelectric power, but regulatory hurdles could take plants offline
Hydropower accounts for nearly 30% of utility-scale renewable energy in the U.S., but federal hurdles may prevent older hydroelectric plants from staying online and new projects from getting off the ground.
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Illinois environmental advocates aim to strengthen ties with lawmakers, increase outreach amid federal policy changes
Illinois environmental advocates are working to strengthen their connections with lawmakers and communities across the state while the legislature is in recess.
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Midwest states east of ‘tornado alley’ are bearing the brunt of severe storm season. Here’s why
Tornadoes have killed 68 people in the U.S. in 2025, with the majority of those deaths in Kentucky and Missouri.
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After DOGE gutted AmeriCorps, rural communities stand to lose education and preservation help
AmeriCorps members were working on environmental education and habitat restoration at parks and nature centers in rural areas across the country. Now federal cuts have eliminated many of those positions.
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PHOTOS: Storm snaps trees and utility poles in Vermilion County
Tornado warnings were issued at different times Tuesday afternoon in Champaign, De Witt, Macon, Piatt and Vermilion counties.
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Bill banning carbon sequestration near Mahomet Aquifer clears General Assembly
The bill comes after recent leaks at a carbon injection site in Decatur.
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Soil conservation in the U.S. started with this agency 90 years ago. Now its future is uncertain
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is dealing with job losses, massive proposed budget cuts and talk of consolidation.
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Clock ticks on lifting Illinois’ nuclear moratorium as environmental groups want a say
Illinois’ energy demand will outmatch its supply by 2030, according to a study from the consulting firm The Power Bureau.
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How to stop invasive plants from taking over the prairie state
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY – Illinois is called the prairie state because a few centuries ago, it was mostly prairie land, filled with thousands with different types of plants. Now, those native plants are locked into a competition with invasives. Ryan Pankau is the Horticulture Educator for Illinois Extension. The forester said honeysuckle is the biggest plant threat to…
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Armadillos aren’t just in Texas anymore, they are expanding territory in Illinois
Armadillos have little hair and cannot survive on ground that is frozen for more than a few days. But climate change means winter in much of Illinois is becoming more bearable.
