Studies show herbicide drift is threatening Illinois trees and plants
Aerial application of pesticides near a neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Martin Kemper
Illinois is home to more than 250 different types of trees and a lot of farmland. But a new report shows herbicides are drifting from farms and damaging native plants.
Prairie Rivers Network, a state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, has found at least one herbicide in more than 90% of their samples of plants.
We'll talk more about this with the director of ecological health at Prairie Rivers Network. The principal research scientist and Critical Trends Assessment Program coordinator with the Illinois Natural History Survey also joins us.
GUESTS:
Thomas “TJ” Benson
Principal Research Scientist, Critical Trends Assessment Program Coordinator
Illinois Natural History Survey
Kim Erndt Pitcher
Director of Ecological Health, Prairie Rivers Network