Aug 1, 2024
You may have heard about chronic wasting disease, or CWD, and wondered what causes it, who is affected, and what is happening to the white-tailed deer in Illinois. This article will decode CWD and discuss common and confusing myths about prion diseases, particularly CWD.
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What can you explore in the Ozark Natural Division of Illinois? A sinkhole plain, cool caves, mature forests, towering bluffs and hill prairies. Read on as we explore this biological and geological wonderland.
MoreAug 1, 2024
When we think about mosquitoes, it is often of the species that are common around our homes during mid- to late summer and which annoy us, and possibly transmit disease agents to humans or other animals. Yet there are nearly 70 species of mosquitos are present in Illinois and some species produce a single generation each year.
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Understanding the Classification of Illinois’ Wildlife
State-endangered species, state-threatened species and Illinois protected species are three classifications of wildlife commonly mentioned in OutdoorIllinois Journal articles. What do they mean? Read on to learn about these classifications that often have complex and intertwined regulations.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, conservationists and wildlife managers discovered that humans were not the only species affected by this virus. Across the country, detections occurred in animals, such as lions, tigers, gorillas and hyenas. This prompted the questions: how are these animals being exposed to the virus and do wildlife play a significant role in these transmission routes? Across all the zoos and aquariums that took part in the surveillance project in Illinois, no detections of an active infection or antibodies indicating a prior exposure.
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Circling, soaring, and gliding high over the landscape, turkey vultures are using their sight and a keen sense of smell to locate carrion. Be warned about the personal defenses of vultures, especially close to their nests or under roosts. Their regurgitated, partially digested carrion is not pleasant if you are targeted, because they are known to feast on dead skunks.
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At the mention of ‘pasture’ your mind’s eye likely visualizes a tranquil grassland complete with cattle grazing on lush grasses. But focusing on the vegetation you might be surprised to learn that much more is taking place. On Illinois Department of Natural Resources sites throughout the state, conservation agriculture practices are utilized to benefit wildlife populations and their habitats.
MoreAug 1, 2024
We’ve come a long way from the days when Illinois was one-third forest and two-thirds prairie. Land in corn and soybeans provide waste grain as a food source for wildlife if fall tillage is limited. However, fall tilled row crop fields are the major source of soil erosion and nutrient and pesticide runoff. Planting cover crops can help.
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One Lake County homeowner was partly inspired to convert her 1.2-acre yard into one brimming with native plants by visiting natural areas. She has gradually come to feel that she is a steward of the land and is proud that she can contribute to the ecological health of the land and of the flora and the fauna living there. Take a virtual tour of this landscape and learn how anyone, no matter the size of their yard is, can create a colorful and beneficial landscape.
MoreAug 1, 2024
Within the Ozark Natural Division in Illinois lies a karst region, a terrain formed by the action of water, with an acidic property, in the dissolution of limestone or other carbonate bedrock layers. Within the post-oak barrens, restored prairies, sinkholes and caves of the region, unique wild creatures go about their lives partaking partly of each, the surface and subsurface.
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A message from Chief Mike Wefer
Nos complace anunciar que la edición de agosto de 2024 de la revista en línea OutdoorIllinois Journal ya está disponible. Tómate unos momentos para revisar esta edición y descubrir las muchas historias basadas en recursos naturales que tenemos para ofrecer.
Ahora en tres idiomas! Now in three languages! Teraz w trzech językach! Si eres fluido en inglés, español y polaco, por favor disculpa la duplicación del título. No podemos evitar emocionarnos por la expansión de OutdoorIllinois Journal. Ofrecer artículos en varios idiomas subraya el compromiso del IDNR con la inclusión y destaca el mensaje de que ‘Todos Pertenecen a la Naturaleza.’
