primary for post 1723570584 Biologists compete over North America’s largest crayfish Sep 23, 2026 3:15 pm Additional bragging rights go to the collection at the Illinois Natural History Survey, part of the Prairie Research Institute at U. of I., boasting six of the top 20, alongside the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, with four. Share this Story Share Biologists compete over North America’s largest crayfish on Facebook Share Biologists compete over North America’s largest crayfish on X primary for post 1402222977 Goodwell selected for international early-career award in hydrology Sep 23, 2026 10:30 am Prairie Research Institute hydrologist Allison Goodwell has been selected for an early career award recognizing outstanding contributions to hydrology through research, education, or societal impacts. Share this Story Share Goodwell selected for international early-career award in hydrology on Facebook Share Goodwell selected for international early-career award in hydrology on X primary for post 294272996 State Climatologist: Illinois breaks multiple severe-weather records before September Sep 9, 2026 8:30 am In 2026, Illinois has set a new annual record number of tornadoes, set a new state hailstone record, and withstood flash floods, derechos, and seemingly everything in between — and it’s only September. Share this Story Share State Climatologist: Illinois breaks multiple severe-weather records before September on Facebook Share State Climatologist: Illinois breaks multiple severe-weather records before September on X primary for post 1942525131 Vape waste poses risks to health and environment, analysis finds Sep 9, 2026 8:15 am Researchers analyzing discarded nicotine vapes have found extremely high levels of lead and other metals in the liquid used in many popular disposable e-cigarette devices, raising new concerns about both public health and the fast‑growing piles of vape waste. Share this Story Share Vape waste poses risks to health and environment, analysis finds on Facebook Share Vape waste poses risks to health and environment, analysis finds on X primary for post 1620391622 August capped off a summer of wild weather Sep 3, 2026 10:45 am Illinois’ fifth wettest August brought more severe weather in an already record-breaking year, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Prairie Research Institute. Share this Story Share August capped off a summer of wild weather on Facebook Share August capped off a summer of wild weather on X primary for post 2109692728 Scott named Illinois Pollution Prevention Scientist Aug 27, 2026 7:00 am John Scott has been selected to be the state scientist leading pollution prevention in Illinois. The State Pollution Prevention Scientist is one of seven state scientists based at the Prairie Research Institute. Share this Story Share Scott named Illinois Pollution Prevention Scientist on Facebook Share Scott named Illinois Pollution Prevention Scientist on X primary for post 1669328036 PRI, IDOT sign $185.5M, 10-year agreement continuing critical infrastructure and environmental research supporting transportation planning and projects Aug 20, 2026 8:00 am The Illinois Department of Transportation has signed a 10-year, $185.5 million agreement with the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to continue their joint environmental and infrastructure research program. Share this Story Share PRI, IDOT sign $185.5M, 10-year agreement continuing critical infrastructure and environmental research supporting transportation planning and projects on Facebook Share PRI, IDOT sign $185.5M, 10-year agreement continuing critical infrastructure and environmental research supporting transportation planning and projects on X primary for post 1836818142 Baires one of 16 rising stars chosen for Emerging Research Leaders Academy Aug 18, 2026 4:00 pm Prairie Research Institute archaeologist Sarah Baires was one of 16 selected for the 2026-27 Emerging Research Leaders Academy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Share this Story Share Baires one of 16 rising stars chosen for Emerging Research Leaders Academy on Facebook Share Baires one of 16 rising stars chosen for Emerging Research Leaders Academy on X primary for post 364720296 July was warm, smoky in Illinois Aug 5, 2026 1:00 pm July temperatures swung between familiar heat and cooler than normal, but cold fronts brought with them wildfire smoke and poor air quality, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Prairie Research Institute. Share this Story Share July was warm, smoky in Illinois on Facebook Share July was warm, smoky in Illinois on X primary for post 941730916 PRI, National Taiwan University partnership advances research on energy, water solutions Aug 5, 2026 12:45 pm The Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and the Center for Weather and Climate Disaster Research at National Taiwan University recently formalized a long-time research partnership, paving the way for practical solutions to environmental and advanced technology infrastructure challenges. Share this Story Share PRI, National Taiwan University partnership advances research on energy, water solutions on Facebook Share PRI, National Taiwan University partnership advances research on energy, water solutions on X