https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/rss en © 2026 University of Illinois Weekly commentaries on the environment and appreciating the natural world Illinois Public Media - WILL Weekly commentaries on the environment and appreciating the natural world, by Rob Kanter from the School of Earth, Society, and Environment at the University of Illinois. Weekly commentaries on the environment and appreciating the natural world, by Rob Kanter from the School of Earth, Society, and Environment, at the University of Illinois episodic Illinois Public Media will-web@illinois.edu willamfmtv@gmail.com willamfmtv@gmail.com no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-road-good-question https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/why-did-the-turtle-cross-the-road-good-question A new sighting and a turtle tale revisited Environmental Almanac Could a turtle photographed recently in Urbana be the same one featured in this story from 2013?  Could a turtle photographed recently in Urbana be the same one featured in this story from 2013?  Thu, 21 May 2020 20:15:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/extra-time-the-birds-are-out-there https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/extra-time-the-birds-are-out-there Extra time? The birds are out there! Environmental Almanac While human movement is currently restricted, spring bird migration is in full swing--and you need no orgranized acitivities to check it out. While human movement is currently restricted, spring bird migration is in full swing--and you need no orgranized acitivities to check it out. Thu, 07 May 2020 16:45:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/a-backyard-lesson-in-the-birds-and-the-bees https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/a-backyard-lesson-in-the-birds-and-the-bees A Backyard Lesson in the Birds and the Bees Environmental Almanac What do you get when you cultivate native plants in your yard? Beautiful scenery and first-hand education in local ecology.  What do you get when you cultivate native plants in your yard? Beautiful scenery and first-hand education in local ecology.  Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:45:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/perspectives-on-earth-day https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/perspectives-on-earth-day Perspectives on Earth Day Environmental Almanac Are you wondering what to make of Earth Day during this time of social distancing? Tune for some perspective from some perspective from some local environmentalists. Are you wondering what to make of Earth Day during this time of social distancing? Tune for some perspective from some perspective from some local environmentalists. Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:11:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/federal-policy-the-foundation-for-a-wildlife-success https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/federal-policy-the-foundation-for-a-wildlife-success Federal policy the foundation for a wildlife success story Environmental Almanac The fastest animal on earth was once endangered in most of the U.S., but it has come back from the brink thanks to federal policy. Stop by to learn about the peregrin falcon. The fastest animal on earth was once endangered in most of the U.S., but it has come back from the brink thanks to federal policy. Stop by to learn about the peregrin falcon. Fri, 13 Mar 2020 15:21:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/return-of-the-american-woodcock-another-march-madnes https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/return-of-the-american-woodcock-another-march-madnes Return of the American Woodcock, Another March Madness Environmental Almanac One of the early season highlights of birding in central Illinois is the widespread return in March of a bird called the American woodcock. One of the early season highlights of birding in central Illinois is the widespread return in March of a bird called the American woodcock. Thu, 05 Mar 2020 16:45:00 -0600 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/crustaceans-the-start-of-this-yearinsect-fear-film-festival https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/crustaceans-the-start-of-this-yearinsect-fear-film-festival Crustaceans the stars of this year’s Insect Fear Film Festival Environmental Almanac Grad students bring some real versus reel commentary on giant crabs and other creatures. Grad students bring some real versus reel commentary on giant crabs and other creatures. Thu, 20 Feb 2020 15:41:00 -0600 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/appreciating-illinois-amphibians-and-the-habitats-that-support-them https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/appreciating-illinois-amphibians-and-the-habitats-that-support-them Appreciating Illinois amphibians and the habitats that support them Environmental Almanac It may be too early in the year to contemplate April showers bringing May flowers. But in much of Illinois heavy rains in late February and early March trigger an astonishing and ancient natural phenomenon—the annual congregation of amphibians in the waters where they breed. It may be too early in the year to contemplate April showers bringing May flowers. But in much of Illinois heavy rains in late February and early March trigger an astonishing and ancient natural phenomenon—the annual congregation of amphibians in the waters where they breed. Thu, 13 Feb 2020 15:56:00 -0600 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/get-out-soon-to-find-the-first-flower-of-spring2 https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/get-out-soon-to-find-the-first-flower-of-spring2 Get out soon to find the first flower of spring Environmental Almanac People who go looking for beauty in the woodlands of central Illinois tend to get excited about the months of April and May, when showy beauties like Virginia bluebells carpet the woodland floor. But if you wait until April to get out, you may already be a month late for the emergence of the first flower of spring. People who go looking for beauty in the woodlands of central Illinois tend to get excited about the months of April and May, when showy beauties like Virginia bluebells carpet the woodland floor. But if you wait until April to get out, you may already be a month late for the emergence of the first flower of spring. Thu, 06 Feb 2020 11:03:00 -0600 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/its-time-to-make-woodchucks-well-loved https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/its-time-to-make-woodchucks-well-loved It’s time to make woodchucks well-loved Environmental Almanac How do you expand appreciation for an animal beyond a single day out of the year? Listen as U of I student Grace Finnell-Gudwien shares her interest in groundhogs. How do you expand appreciation for an animal beyond a single day out of the year? Listen as U of I student Grace Finnell-Gudwien shares her interest in groundhogs. Thu, 30 Jan 2020 10:37:00 -0600 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/invitation-to-opening-for-a-photography-show https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/invitation-to-opening-for-a-photography-show Invitation to opening for a photography show Environmental Almanac Thu, 23 Jan 2020 09:37:00 -0600 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/december-19-2019 https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/december-19-2019 Does brittle prickly pear cactus have a future in the Midwest? Environmental Almanac Few brittle prickly pear cacti remain in Illinois. Will they persist in a changing climate? Few brittle prickly pear cacti remain in Illinois. Will they persist in a changing climate? environmental almanac prickly pear cactus plants climate change Thu, 19 Dec 2019 16:00:00 -0600 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/late-summer-a-great-time-to-expand-your-butterfly-horizons https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/late-summer-a-great-time-to-expand-your-butterfly-horizons Late summer a great time to expand your butterfly horizons [from the archive] Environmental Almanac Everybody loves monarch butterflies, don't they? And for good reason. But if monarchs are all you know, you're missing out. Late summer is a great time to expand your butterfly horizons. Everybody loves monarch butterflies, don't they? And for good reason. But if monarchs are all you know, you're missing out. Late summer is a great time to expand your butterfly horizons. environmental almanac environment insects butterflies illinois natural history survey native plants east central illinois master naturalist program Thu, 25 Jul 2019 16:45:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/a-love-of-life-even-snakes-from-the-archive https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/a-love-of-life-even-snakes-from-the-archive A love of life—even snakes [from the archive] Environmental Almanac Thanks to a friend who’s more observant than me, I recently discovered a new species of reptile in my own backyard, a plains garter snake. Maybe I should clarify by saying I mean the plains garter snake was “new” to me, not new to science or the wider world. Thanks to a friend who’s more observant than me, I recently discovered a new species of reptile in my own backyard, a plains garter snake. Maybe I should clarify by saying I mean the plains garter snake was “new” to me, not new to science or the wider world. environmental almanac snakes biodiversity biophilia boneyard creek wildlife reptiles Thu, 23 May 2019 16:45:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/embrace-your-inner-birder-and-enjoy-as-spring-migration-peaks https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/embrace-your-inner-birder-and-enjoy-as-spring-migration-peaks Embrace your inner birder as spring migration peaks Environmental Almanac Where can you see some of the most beautiful birds in the world? In central Illinois! Right now! Where can you see some of the most beautiful birds in the world? In central Illinois! Right now! environmental almanac birding spring migration warblers urbana park district champaign county forest preserve district international migratory bird day Thu, 09 May 2019 15:40:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/why-not-bike https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/why-not-bike Why not bike? Environmental Almanac Does the warm weather have you thinking about riding your bicycle to get from here to there? If so, let me offer some words of encouragement.  Does the warm weather have you thinking about riding your bicycle to get from here to there? If so, let me offer some words of encouragement.  environmental almanac bicycling Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:17:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/what-to-do-for-earth-day https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/what-to-do-for-earth-day What to do for Earth Day? Environmental Almanac environmental almanac earth week Fri, 19 Apr 2019 14:52:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/spring-in-my-step https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/spring-in-my-step Spring in My Step Environmental Almanac birding woodland wildflowers boneyard creek community day champaign county forest preserve district environmental almanac Thu, 11 Apr 2019 17:10:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/now-is-the-time-to-catch-woodland-wildflower-show-in-illinois https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/now-is-the-time-to-catch-woodland-wildflower-show-in-illinois Now is the time to catch woodland wildflower show in Illinois [from the archive] Environmental Almanac There is an extended wildflower show that takes place each spring in the woodlands of Illinois, beginning in February and peaking in early May, when a dozen species can be seen flowering at once There is an extended wildflower show that takes place each spring in the woodlands of Illinois, beginning in February and peaking in early May, when a dozen species can be seen flowering at once wildflowers allerton park illinois forest preserves environmental almanac Thu, 04 Apr 2019 15:41:00 -0500 no full https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/cook-county-research-provides-perspective-on-coyotes-from-the-archive https://will.illinois.edu/environmentalalmanac/program/cook-county-research-provides-perspective-on-coyotes-from-the-archive Cook County research provides perspective on coyotes [from the archive] Environmental Almanac How much risk do coyotes pose? Could it be good to have them around? Findings from the Cook County Coyote Project suggest they pose a very limited threat and even benefit urban ecosystems. How much risk do coyotes pose? Could it be good to have them around? Findings from the Cook County Coyote Project suggest they pose a very limited threat and even benefit urban ecosystems. environmental almanac urban wildlife coyotes cooke county coyote Thu, 28 Feb 2019 15:00:00 -0600 no