Resources

Across Illinois and the Midwest, a variety of organizations work together to prevent and remove invasive species. 

  • Illinois Invasive Species Council: Established in 2005, the IISC's mission is to minimize the economic and ecological impacts from invasive species. The Council provides information and recommendations to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and the public.
  • Cooperative Weed Management Areas: These partnership organizations are formed with the goal of managing invasive plants across jurisdictional and landownership boundaries.
    • Headwaters Invasive Plant Partnership: HIPP is a cooperative weed management area in East Central Illinois to address terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants. Formally established in June 2015, HIPP is built upon the efforts of a six-year Invasive Plant Task Force established by the East Central Illinois Master Naturalists.
    • River to River CWMA: This area is a partnership between 13 federal and state agencies, organizations, and universities aimed at coordinating efforts and programs for addressing the threat of invasive plants in Southern Illinois.
  • Midwest Invasive Plant Network: The MIPN works to reduce the impact of invasive plant species in the Midwest by drawing on the knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm of a diverse group of participants and partners.
  • Illinois Forestry Association
  • USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service

University of Illinois Resources and Programs

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Illinois Cooperative Pest Survey Program
The Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey program is a joint effort between several state and federal agencies, including the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
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Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
IISG brings together scientists, educators, policy makers, community decision makers, outreach specialists, business leaders, and the general public to work towards a healthy environment and economy.
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Forestry
The Extension Forestry program provides forestry and natural resources education, technical assistance, programming, and awareness to an estimated 132,000 private forest landowners who own 82% of Illinois forests.
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Pesticide Safety Education Program
Pesticide safety training is critical for all who work with pesticides, and none more so than certified Applicators and Operators. The Pesticide Safety Education Program, PSEP, team is here to help you meet your training and certification goals.

Guides You can Trust

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Publication Library
Explore our catalog of guides covering agriculture, gardening, environment, pesticide safety, and more.
Book title "management of invasive plants and pests of Illinois"
Management of Invasive Plants and Pests
Download a free copy of this comprehensive guide to managing invasive plants and pests of Illinois. Invasive species cause damage by changing the habitat for wildlife and native plants or by negatively impacting forest or agricultural resources.
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Invasive Blogs
Check out the complete list of blogs about a variety of invasive species updates from Extension experts around the state.
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Home, Yard & Garden Newsletter
This newsletter is keeps professional landscapers, arborists, golf course superintendents, lawn care personnel, and garden center operators up-to-date on the commercial management of diseases, weeds, insects, and other pests.

Identify invasives and report sightings

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Connect with Local Extension Staff
Extension experts can help you identify species and make a plan of action for controlling them. We have offices in every county available to help.
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Plant Identification
Plant disease and injury can be costly. The Plant Clinic plant and insect identification so you know what you're dealing with.
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Help On a Larger Scale
Report new or unique invasive species sightings using EDDMapS, an online mapping system for documenting invasive species and pest distribution.
News
Local News Releases
burning firewood
Burning local firewood this winter can save forests
URBANA, Ill. – Nothing beats the warmth of a crackling fireplace on these coldest days of the year. Each winter, as my family enjoys the cozy warmth of our woodstove room, I’m always thankful for the firewood supply we’ve been fortunate enough to accumulate. Most of the wood we burn...
Eastern (top) and Western (bottom) Banded Killifish. The Eastern subspecies may be edging out the Western fish in its native range.
Illinois report says native fish overlooked as invaders in U.S. waters
URBANA, Ill. – Rivers split across mountaintops and other geographic barriers may flow only a few miles from one another, but to the aquatic creatures in those waters, the separation could represent millions of years of evolutionary time. So, when an angler or a curious child moves a fish from...
digging up invasive plants
Best way to estimate costs for invasive plant removal? Get out and dig
URBANA, Ill. – Plants are designed to travel. They might not stand up and walk, but many plants produce seeds or other bits that can be carried long distances by wind or animals and start growing. While that might be great news for the plant, escapes like these can disrupt natural ecosystems and...
Spring Invasive and Problematic Plants in the Landscape
With the warmer weather, things are starting to green up.  Our landscapes are coming back to life with the showy displays of new plant growth and flowers.  But are all those the plants you expected and want? Are there plants taking over your landscape, timber, or open areas? Some of these are...
Prevent the spread of invasive species in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. – You may not know what an invasive species is, but you've likely heard about them and the price tags they can carry. The estimated cost of managing the damages caused by invasive species such as the emerald ash borer or Asian carp is $120 billion annually in the U.S. May is...
Invasive jumping worms confirmed in Morgan County
Jumping worms, an invasive earthworm making its way across Illinois, have now been confirmed in Morgan County (Jacksonville). Also known as Alabama jumpers, crazy worms, or snake worms, this invasive species is named for its unique, active movements. Jumping worms were first discovered...
They thrash about and are here for your soil
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — They are here! They thrash side to side when threatened or touched by the unknowing observer. Jumping worms have spread throughout our Central Illinois gardens and they could be in your backyard right now. Local...
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Do not plant seeds of unknown origins
URBANA, Ill. – Mystery packages with unidentified seeds have shown up in mailboxes across the U.S. over the past week. University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts urge people to never plant unidentified seeds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is...
Strategies for minimizing land and water invasive species
Invasive species pose a serious threat to native species and natural ecosystems and cost the country billions of dollars to combat. Learn what is being done to address the serious issues of both land and water invasives...