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  • ERLA-cohort-Chris-Stone

    PRI's Chris Stone chosen as IHSI 2025-26 Emerging Research Leader

    Aug 25, 2025 8:00 am

    Chris Stone, medical entomologist, has been chosen as one of IHSI Emerging Leaders for 2025–26.

  • Kayakers paddle on the Chicago River's Wild Mile. Photo credit Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.

    Grant supports educational resources for Chicago area boaters, harbormasters, shoreline property owners

    Aug 20, 2025 8:00 am

    Prairie Research Institute scientists are working with collaborators to provide education for boaters and harbormasters about how invasive aquatic plants spread, and for property owners interested planting native species along shorelines.

  • Jenna Shelton sits by a river during a field research trip.

    Shelton named Illinois State Water Survey director

    Aug 14, 2025 4:30 pm

    Jenna Shelton recently joined the Prairie Research Institute as the new director of the Illinois State Water Survey. Shelton is a hydrobiogeochemist with 14 years of experience at the U.S. Geological Survey. She has a dynamic background of research and leadership, with expertise in strategic planning, machine learning, budgeting, the energy-water nexus, workforce development, stakeholder outreach, and international and Tribal Nation relations.

  • Brian Charles

    Illinois team updates state threatened, endangered plant species rankings

    Aug 13, 2025 11:00 am

    Scientists from the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have updated the state conservation status ranks, or S-ranks, of threatened and endangered plants in Illinois. The update includes some plants not recorded in the state for decades and finds many that, while still threatened, are doing better than previously thought.

  • Heavy rain falls from storm clouds over fields.

    Staying ahead of intense precipitation in Illinois

    Aug 6, 2025 2:45 pm

    The Prairie State is no stranger to intense precipitation and consequential flooding. However, the frequency and intensity of rainfall have been increasing in recent decades, putting a renewed focus on the information, warning systems, planning and preparation needed to protect Illinois from the threat of intense rainfall.

  • Michael Dreslik holds a snake in the field.

    Dreslik named Illinois State Biologist, Illinois Natural History Survey director

    Jul 31, 2025 2:45 pm

    Michael Dreslik, a dedicated Illinois Natural History Survey research scientist of nearly three decades, will be the survey’s next director and Illinois State Biologist at the Prairie Research Institute.

  • Archaeologist Emerson looks up from the IDOT Curation facility on the Illinois campus.

    What’s missing from our understanding of Illinois history?

    Jul 23, 2025 9:00 am

    A new book from the Illinois State Archaeological Survey, the Prairie Research Institute and the Illinois Department of Transportation offers a detailed overview of insights gained from more than a century of archaeological study. 

  • Photo shows a stretch of highway flanked by fields with storm clouds above.

    June brought summer heat, storms

    Jul 16, 2025 8:45 am

    The heat wave in late June was extreme in both its intensity — especially nighttime temperatures — and its duration, breaking 14 daily high and 88 daily high minimum temperature records across Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Prairie Research Institute.

  • Cathy Bialeschki smiling.

    Bialeschki named Office Professional of the Year 2025

    Jul 10, 2025 11:15 am

    Cathy Bialeschki was selected as the Office Professional of the Year 2025 by the Illinois Administrative Professionals organization at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

  • A group of people looking at mollusk specimens displayed on tables.

    ISAS brings together Tribal Nations, researchers to discuss freshwater mussels

    Jul 10, 2025 7:00 am

    A recent meeting between Tribal Nations and researchers from the Prairie Research Institute focused on sharing information and discussing the cultural significance of freshwater mussels, priorities for conservation and preservation, and opportunities for collaboration.

  • Agricultural field with young green plants in rows stretching back to the horizon.

    Mild May wraps up otherwise warm spring in Illinois

    Jun 16, 2025 12:30 pm

    Despite milder May temperatures, the spring season was still a top 10 warmest on record in many places in the Midwest, including in St. Louis, Peoria, and Paducah, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Prairie Research Institute.

  • Stream running through grassy area at sunset.

    Water survey to analyze flood risk in McHenry County

    Jun 3, 2025 3:30 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey is continuing data development for the Kishwaukee River watershed as part of a multiple-phase study to help local communities identify areas of high flood risk for flood mitigation planning.

  • Graphic recording image represents a talk given by one of the paper's co-authors during the workshops.

    Paper addresses natural history collections’ role in pandemic preparedness

    Jun 2, 2025 10:30 am

    Natural history collections contain information needed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to disease outbreaks that could turn into a pandemic — but they are an underused resource. Dozens of collections and other experts gathered last year to analyze how to change that and their findings were recently published in the journal BioScience.

  • A stream curves through a sunny, grassy area with woods at far left.

    Water survey to analyze flood risks in Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper, Lawrence counties

    May 23, 2025 3:45 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey is continuing data development for the Embarras River watershed as part of a multiple-phase study to help local communities identify areas of high flood risk for flood mitigation planning.

  • Colored geophysical map centered on Harrisburg, Illinois, with red-outlined survey area showing multicolored heat map data and overlapping line grids representing the flight path. Background includes state borders and a black north arrow with a scale bar indicating 0 to 20 miles.

    Low-level airplanes will survey for critical minerals in southern Illinois

    May 15, 2025 2:00 pm

    Low-flying airplanes equipped with geophysical instruments will fly over parts of Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Johnson, Pope, and Hardin counties.

  • Rain drops on glass

    Warmer April in Illinois

    May 8, 2025 10:00 am

    April broke records for being among the wettest on record in much of southern Illinois, which experienced an extreme rain event early in the month, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Prairie Research Institute.

  • Innovative microwave sensors deployed on an unmanned aerial system over the I-FARM facility for soil and biomass sensing in 2024. Photo credit Mohamad Alipour.

    Center for Digital Agriculture, Prairie Research Institute partner to support joint agriculture research

    May 5, 2025 10:00 am

    The Center for Digital Agriculture and the Prairie Research Institute have partnered to offer seed funding for joint research projects.

  • Free sustainability assistance available for the Illinois craft beverage industry

    Apr 22, 2025 2:45 pm

    The Beverage Resilience Program offers free help to make Illinois craft beverage businesses more sustainable and save money. Provided by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center and the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center, this grant-funded program supports breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other craft beverage businesses across the state.

  • Wetlands geologist Nicolette Sheffield conducts field research at Illinois Beach State Park.

    $2.3 million NOAA grant for PRI research supports conservation of Lake Michigan coast

    Apr 17, 2025 8:00 am

    Prairie Research Institute scientists are conducting a $2.3 million project to support the protection and restoration of part of the Illinois Beach State Park coastal area.

  • Alleen Betzenhauser

    Betzenhauser named Illinois State Archaeologist, Illinois State Archaeological Survey director

    Apr 11, 2025 9:15 am

    Longtime researcher Alleen Betzenhauser has been named the new director of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey and Illinois State Archaeologist at the Prairie Research Institute.

  • Spring begins with very warm March

    Apr 10, 2025 8:00 am

    Last month was warm and stormy in Illinois, with the most tornado warnings on record for March and 33 tornado reports, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Prairie Research Institute.

  • A grocery store's produce aisle.

    Project offers technical assistance to small food-related businesses in DuPage and Kane counties

    Apr 8, 2025 10:00 am

    The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is partnering with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), both units of the University of Illinois, to offer free technical assistance to 10 small food-related businesses in DuPage and Kane counties. Businesses will benefit by lowering their operational costs and reducing wasted food and resources, thereby increasing their sustainability.

  • Wetlands geologist Eric Plankell among 16 honored with Chancellor's Staff Excellence Award

    Apr 2, 2025 12:00 pm

    Sixteen academic professionals and civil service staff members have received the Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award recognizing exceptional performance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A CSEA committee recommends finalists, who are approved by Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones.

  • A bee visits an echinacea flower.

    Available prairie seed mixes may fall short for pollinators

    Mar 24, 2025 2:45 pm

    As populations of bees and butterflies decline in the Midwest, native prairie restoration becomes crucial. A new Prairie Research Institute study found, however, that many commercial seed mixes used to conserve and restore prairies may not have enough diversity or spring flowering plants to fully support these pollinators.

  • How do we address the problem of PFAS in sewage sludge?

    Mar 24, 2025 11:30 am

    Communities and federal agencies are waking up to the dangers of “forever chemicals” in wastewater treatment sludge, which is often sprayed on farm fields as fertilizer. In mid-January, the federal Environmental Protection Agency warned that this practice endangers human health. A month later, Johnson County in northeast Texas declared a state of emergency over the contamination of farm fields with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, from sewage sludge. John Scott, a research scientist at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center who studies PFAS in wastewater treatment facilities and landfills, spoke with News Bureau life sciences editor Diana Yates about the problem.

  • February’s roller coaster weather wraps up winter

    Mar 4, 2025 12:15 pm

    The month of February is known for bringing cold weather in Illinois, but it also often sees some of the biggest day-to-day temperature changes — as it did last month, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Chinmoy Baroi receives Certificate of Recognition from Madeleine Fequiere, Consul General of Canada in Chicago.

    Chinmoy Baroi recognized as Canada Global Executive

    Feb 6, 2025 11:15 am

    Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) researcher Dr. Chinmoy Baroi has been recognized as one of Canada’s Global Executives (CGE) by the Trade Commissioner Service at Global Affairs Canada in Chicago on behalf of the Government of Canada. ISTC is a unit of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • January brought winter weather of yore

    Feb 4, 2025 9:15 am

    January temperatures were less mild than Illinois has become accustomed to, ending the month 4.4 degrees below the 1991-2020 average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • New archaeological exhibit installed at the IDOT office in Springfield

    Jan 27, 2025 7:00 am

    A new mobile exhibit about precolonial communities in Illinois is on display at the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) office in Springfield, IL

  • The second warmest year on record

    Jan 15, 2025 9:00 am

    Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford has released the year-end climate analysis for 2024, which was the second warmest year on record in Illinois, with average temperatures between 1 and 6 degrees above normal.

  • Illinois Sustainable Technology Center research scientist Hong Lu holding a beaker with red fluid.

    ISTC team makes sustainable aviation fuel additive from recycled polystyrene

    Jan 13, 2025 9:30 am

    A groundbreaking study by Illinois Sustainable Technology Center researcher Hong Lu and his team addresses a major hurdle in transitioning U.S. commercial aircraft to sustainable aviation fuels. They developed a cost-effective method to convert waste polystyrene, a common hard plastic, into ethylbenzene, an additive that enhances the performance of sustainable jet fuels. This innovative approach not only improves fuel characteristics but also offers a practical solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels in aviation.

  • Mild, wet start to winter

    Jan 8, 2025 8:00 am

    Day to day temperature variability in Illinois is highest in climatological winter and December followed suit with regular dips and jumps in daily temperature, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • A still image from the camera trap video captured by U. of I. student Bethany Warner shows a flying squirrel in Brownfield Woods Oct. 27.

    Flying squirrel documented in Brownfield Woods

    Dec 20, 2024 12:00 pm

    A University of Illinois student researcher recently identified a Southern flying squirrel in a university natural area for the first time in recent memory.

  • Adult Syrian Spadefoot Toad discovered in a greenhouse in Burj Arab, Tartous Governorate, Syria, March 18, 2022. This was the second confirmed sighting of the species in the region. Photo by Naeil Khosam.

    Toad discovery brings together Syrian, Illinois scientists

    Dec 18, 2024 2:30 pm

    The Syrian Spadefoot Toad has been rediscovered in the war-torn country with the help of Syrian community scientists and Illinois researchers.

  • Photo of a leaf with raindrops by nikolett-emmert, Unsplash.

    Warm, wet November wraps up fall

    Dec 18, 2024 8:15 am

    November wrapped up a mild, dry fall with more mild temperatures, including several warmer-than-normal days, to tie the 10th warmest November since 1895, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Are climate-related calamities erasing Illinois’ cultural history?

    Dec 16, 2024 8:00 am

    In a new report, scientists with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey describe how increased flooding, erosion and other effects of human-induced climate change are degrading many of the state’s cultural sites. ISAS research archaeologist Andrew White, a co-author of the report, spoke with News Bureau life sciences editor Diana Yates about the scope of the problem. 

  • ISTC scientists study PFAS in the food chain as part of EPA grant

    Nov 22, 2024 10:00 am

    Prairie Research Institute scientists are leading a cross-disciplinary team awarded a $1.6 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to investigate crop plant uptake of forever chemicals and develop innovative techniques to reduce their entry into the food chain.

  • Hands hold up a jar and a petrie dish containing samples of microplastics recovered from Illinois wastewater treatment plants.

    Study tracks PFAS, microplastics through landfills and wastewater treatment plants

    Nov 19, 2024 10:15 am

    Scientists analyzed the liquid waste, or leachate, released by four Illinois landfills and the inflows and outflows of associated wastewater treatment plants to determine the fate of two contaminants: microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The findings are reported in the journal Science of the Total Environment. 


  • ‘World building’ in a video games class

    Nov 13, 2024 9:45 am

    The Concept Art for Video Games class at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign requires students to collaborate on a cohesive visual design for a video game and gives then insight into how the video game industry works. 

  • coal particles

    PRI launches new Critical Minerals Research and Development Center to advance domestic supply, innovation

    Nov 11, 2024 8:00 am

    The Critical Minerals Research and Development Center will drive interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships to advance responsible extraction, processing, and sourcing practices. By focusing on Illinois' potential as a source for critical minerals, PRI aims to enhance supply chain resilience and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

  • Warm and dry, but enjoyable, October

    Nov 5, 2024 3:30 pm

    Most of last month was somewhat to extremely dry across Illinois, marking the state’s 10th driest October on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • A group of people stand outdoors, listening to a person in an orange shirt giving a presentation in front of a large poster on a wooden board, with green trees and blue sky in the background.

    Scientists tackle farm nutrient pollution with sustainable, affordable designer biochar pellets

    Nov 5, 2024 12:15 pm

    What if farmers could not only prevent excess phosphorus from polluting downstream waterways, but also recycle that nutrient as a slow-release fertilizer, all without spending a lot of money? In a first-of-its-kind field study, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers show it’s possible and economical.  

  • The race to save the little brown bat: How genomic research could rescue a species on the brink of extinction

    Oct 31, 2024 11:00 am

    Researchers are using cutting-edge genomic techniques to help the little brown bat, a species at risk due to white-nose syndrome. By analyzing DNA samples from across the bat's historic range, the team aims to uncover genetic insights that could guide conservation strategies. This collaborative effort among scientists and institutions offers new hope for protecting the bat and other vulnerable wildlife. 

  • Tamira Brennan standing in front of the experimental archaeological excavation site.

    Excavating my own archaeology

    Oct 29, 2024 9:00 am

    Tamira Brennan, a research scientist and section head of curation at the Illinois State Archaeological Survey, led University of Illinois students in excavating a structure she originally built over two decades ago in an experimental archaeology course. The project models ancient techniques and emphasizes the importance of artifact curation, addressing a national "curation crisis." The hands-on experience aims to inspire students in cultural heritage preservation.

  • Hongxu Zhou adjusts woodchip bioreactor equipment in the lab

    Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients

    Oct 21, 2024 10:45 am

    In a new University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study, PRI and ACES researchers show how a simple system using woodchips and a bit of glorified sawdust can dramatically reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and multiple common drugs in wastewater. 

  • A woman and man standing along a river bank holding salamander mussels and their shells.

    Endangered salamander mussel found alive in Illinois after nearly 120 years

    Oct 9, 2024 7:00 am

    For the first time in nearly 120 years, researchers confirmed the presence live individuals of the state-endangered salamander mussel in Illinois, marking a major biodiversity milestone for the state.

  • coal particles

    DOE funds Illinois rare earth project to reclaim mine waste, boost U.S. clean tech leadership

    Oct 7, 2024 8:00 am

    The IRENES project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, is advancing the recovery of critical minerals from coal mine waste to strengthen U.S. energy security. By developing a domestic supply of these essential materials, the project reduces reliance on foreign sources, supports clean technology innovations, and drives economic growth in underserved regions. It offers a practical solution to pressing energy and environmental challenges, making it a strategic investment for sustainable growth.

  • Fall begins with warm September in Illinois

    Oct 4, 2024 11:30 am

    The first three weeks of September were extremely dry across much of the Midwest, with the remnants of Hurricane Helene providing drought relief for parts of Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Hydrogeologist speaks at a conference.

    PRI shares water sustainability research with Illinois municipal leaders

    Sep 25, 2024 3:15 pm

    Municipal officials from across the state attended a panel session on water sustainability hosted by the Prairie Research Institute and Champaign County community leaders last week.

  • UI Trustee Wilbur Milhouse III stands in front of the Traveling Science Center

    UI Trustee Milhouse visits PRI

    Sep 24, 2024 3:00 pm

    On Sept. 6, 2024, University of Illinois Trustee Wilbur Milhouse III spent the day at the Prairie Research Institute (PRI), engaging in discussions and tours that showcased transformative research in sustainability, innovation, and community impact. As an accomplished engineer and CEO of Milhouse Engineering, Trustee Milhouse brought a unique perspective to PRI’s work, seeing firsthand how the institute is tackling some of the world’s most pressing environmental and energy challenges.