Join the Spotlight on Natural Resources Podcast team for a Research Bite! Within each Research Bite segment, we delve into groundbreaking research conducted at University of Illinois, offering listeners exclusive insights into the innovative discoveries and advancements shaping the future of applied science. During this episode, we hear from the student Bird Strike Survey at University of Illinois, along with advisor Dr. Benjamin Van Doren. This group monitors bird window strikes on campus to id...
May 03, 2024•24 min•Ep. 130
The cicadas are emerging, times two! Join us as we explore the upcoming periodical cicada emergence in Illinois with entomologist Kacie Athey. In this episode, we discuss the 17-year and 13-year life cycle of these insects, their impact on the local ecosystem, and what Illinois residents can expect during this natural event. Visit these sites to learn more about Periodical Cicadas: Community Science on Periodical Cicadas Cicada Safari Website Check out the Apps: Cicada Safari for Google Play Cic...
Apr 17, 2024•22 min•Ep. 129
Dive into the swirling world of tornado trends in Illinois with our latest podcast episode. Join us as we explore how a tornado forms, the recent patterns of tornado occurrences in the Prairie State, and what you can do to improve your resiliency to tornado hazards. Come away with a deeper understanding of this powerful natural phenomenon. Learn more! Tornado Trends (blog article) Is Illinois a part of a new tornado alley? (blog article) Subscribe to the All About Weather blog Check out our Natu...
Apr 01, 2024•43 min•Ep. 128
Early spring is a wonderful time to view wildlife in Illinois. Woodcock, one of the earliest of the migrating birds, return to the state and start displaying to attract mates and set up territories. Mole salamanders will head to breeding pools, even when ice is still on. Crawfish frogs and spring peepers can be heard in full chorus on warm nights. Whitetail deer lose their antlers. This month on the podcast, Chris Evans joins us to discuss wildlife encounters to be had in early spring in Illinoi...
Feb 22, 2024•28 min•Ep. 127
Ever think about what will captivate you in retirement? You don’t want to just sit around but you don’t want to over-commit now that you have your own time. Phenology could be a retirement hobby. Join Peggy Doty to talk about how phenology offers an activity for your mind and just enough commitment to wake up interested in this new idea. Phenology is a meeting of people and the wild living things around them, and you can schedule your meeting any time you like. Books referenced: The Natural Hist...
Jan 30, 2024•46 min•Ep. 126
Hiding in the thickets of our Illinois woodland habitat, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small and secretive owl species that migrates through our area. During this podcast, University of Illinois Avian Lab Manager and Field Coordinator, Mike Avara, joins us to share research the university is doing on the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Find out why these owls are so special, why they are researching these birds, and what they have discovered about these owls. Mike will also walk us through a day in the ...
Dec 21, 2023•37 min•Ep. 125
Join us this week as we chat with Dr. Joy O'Keefe about bats of Illinois and what we can do to support them. Bats are essential to a healthy ecosystem, as they eat insects that are pests to trees, crops, and us. Most bats use trees as their daytime roosts during spring, summer, and fall. If you have good places for bats to hunt for food, how do you attract them to roost on your property? Learn what makes good natural and artificial roost habitat for bats and other ways to support your local bat ...
Nov 27, 2023•28 min•Ep. 124
On this special edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, hear from Scott Schirmer, State Plant Regulatory Official with Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Chris Evans, Forestry Extension and Research Specialist with University of Illinois Extension as we talk about Spotted Lanternfly. Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect that has been confirmed in Illinois for the first time in September 2023. After chatting about Spotted Lanternfly, stick around as Chris takes a deep dive into invasi...
Nov 03, 2023•46 min•Ep. 123
Join us this week as we chat with Aquatic Invasives Species Specialist Katie O'Reilly about all things aquatic invasives in Lake Michigan. We take a spooky look at what kinds of species are aquatic invaders and what we can do to combat invasive species in our waterways. Illinois Indiana Sea Grant Aquatic Invasive Species Choose Copi The Sea Lamprey from Illinois Department of Natural Resources...
Oct 30, 2023•37 min•Ep. 122
September is National Preparedness Month. Kerri Taylor joins us from Illinois Safe Electricity to teach us about how we can better prepare our homes, families, workplaces, and communities in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Focusing on storm preparedness, we discuss in-depth how to prepare an emergency supply kit, how to choose and safely use a generator, and how to ensure we are using carbon monoxide detectors properly. We walk through a number of common scenarios and explain the p...
Sep 29, 2023•43 min•Ep. 121
With high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus entering our waterways and making their way to the Gulf of Mexico, Illinois is taking action to address nutrient loss and hold those nutrients in place. Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback are the boots on the ground for this project in Illinois, and they join us on the podcast to take about the NLRS and what it means for farmers and the public. Links mentioned: Lawn to Lake The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast The Nutrient Loss Reduction Blog Or...
Aug 22, 2023•24 min•Ep. 120
With droughts and drastic weather occurring in Illinois, how do we keep our landscapes resilient? Extension Stormwater Specialist, Eliana Brown, joins the podcast to discuss how we can help build healthy landscapes in this extreme weather. Links mentioned: Drought Monitor Website Red Oak Rain Garden Native Plant Resources
Aug 16, 2023•35 min•Ep. 119
Corn sweat - an interesting Midwest phenomenon that happens during the summer months. Find out what corn sweat really is and how it affects our weather, wildlife and other plants. Duane Friend, Illinois Master Naturalist Coordinator and Climate Specialist, joins us during this episode. Hint: An acre of corn can “sweat” up to 4,000 gallons of water in a day! Find out more about our Illinois weather phenomena through the Illinois Extension blog, All About Weather . Latest articles: Why are we gett...
Jul 06, 2023•27 min•Ep. 118
Biodiversity - such a buzzword these days. But what is biodiversity and why does everyone seem to be talking about it? Extension Educator Abigail Garofalo will break down this scientific concept and give you insights into the biodiversity crisis and what you can do about it.
Jun 07, 2023•28 min•Ep. 117
Don’t count out nighttime when it comes to exploring. Each season brings a different “night” whether it be the long winter nights with clear skies or the late sunsets in summer, there is always something to discover in nature at night. In fact, in terms of wildlife, over 60% of our mammals are nocturnal. Extension Natural Resources Educator Amy Lefringhouse joins Erin Garrett and Abigail Garofalo to discuss nature at night.
Jun 05, 2023•35 min•Ep. 116
Spring is here, and one of the best places to enjoy the season is hiking through a forest. In spring you can find the forest floor bursting with life. Many of the spring-blooming flowers you see when out on a hike are from a group of plants called spring ephemerals. Today we chat with Erin Garrett to learn more about these plants and why they’re so unique.
May 09, 2023•15 min•Ep. 115
Maple Syrup Season in Illinois
Jan 27, 2023•19 min•Ep. 114
What is the difference between snow, sleet and freezing rain?
Dec 07, 2022•17 min•Ep. 113
When people get excited about supporting wildlife on their property, they are usually referring to the ones bring us joy or whimsy or the ones that bring us some function such as pollination. But that sense of awe and wonder with nature tends to take a turn into annoyance, and even fear when we stumble upon more nuisance animals. Learn more about the less charismatic wildlife and how they serve our ecosystem.
Nov 28, 2022•23 min•Ep. 112
Oct 17, 2022•14 min•Ep. 111
Oct 17, 2022•15 min•Ep. 110
Resources: https://learningstore.extension.wisc.edu/products/grassland-birds-fostering-habitats-using-rotational-grazing-p103 https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/GrasslandBirdsWorkbook.pdf https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/agricultural_practices_that_conserve_grasslands_birds_(e3190).pdf...
Aug 26, 2022•17 min•Ep. 109
It seems like summer just started, but now is a great time to start planning for fall landscape installations! If you’ve got trees in your backyard, consider adding soft landings around the bases of them.
Jul 13, 2022•15 min•Ep. 108
If you have had any questions about what to do about your Ponds and whether or not weeds and/or algae are good for your pond listen to this episode to find out more from Duane Friend.
May 09, 2022•16 min•Ep. 107
May Theilgaard Watts was an illinois naturalist, author, and poet who worked to develop nature themed programming and educational materials that helped people understand the world around them. You may recognize her work in the famous “Tree Finder” book used by countless naturalists and educators. Learn about this Illinoisan and the contributions she made to our understanding of the natural world.
Apr 29, 2022•10 min•Ep. 106
Large Predators returning to Illinois is becoming a more common event. Spring is right around the corner and it seems to be the time of year when these sightings happen so who are these creatures and why are they wandering in and out of Illinois.
Apr 06, 2022•13 min•Ep. 105
It may not seem like spring is right around the corner, but it will be here before you know it! For those gardeners who are looking to make a difference this season, consider adding native plants to your gardens.
Feb 15, 2022•16 min•Ep. 104
Winter weather and safety
Dec 16, 2021•12 min•Ep. 103
When considering adding solar panels to your home, one important step is to properly size a solar system to meet your home’s needs. We’ll cover 4 easy steps you can take yourself to estimate how large of a system you’ll need, along with a quick cost estimate – which will give you a starting estimate before you talk to a solar installer.
Nov 18, 2021•12 min•Ep. 102
As the cold weather creeps in and winter approaches, we start preparing our house, our wardrobe, and our minds for the cold months to come. The bees, butterflies, squirrels, bats, and other Illinois wildlife have to prepare for the cold winter months ahead as well. Learn how our wildlife overwinters and what you can do to support those animals (without them making a winter home in your house!). Questions: What are the challenges for wildlife in the winter? Sometimes it’s so quiet, What are anima...
Oct 28, 2021•17 min•Ep. 101
