SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director John J. Kim announced the release of two Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) totaling $4.75 million to combat nonpoint source water pollution. These Section 319(h) Clean Water Act grants aim to facilitate watershed-based planning projects and on-the-ground implementation efforts to prevent, mitigate, or remediate surface
In the heart of the Midwest, the State of Illinois has embraced an unwavering commitment to soil health, recognizing its pivotal role in sustaining the state’s thriving agricultural sector and safeguarding the environment. During the Soil Health Week’s “The Art and Science of Soil Health Advocacy in Action Day” held at the Illinois State Capitol
Dick Lyons, a former agricultural professor at Lincoln Land Community College and Illinois State University, was among the four founders of Illinois Soil Health Week. He was recognized as the top corn and wheat producer, and the fourth-highest soybean producer in Montgomery County during a census conducted in 2018. Dick attributed his success to implementing
A historic opportunity awaits Illinois landowners to unravel the mysteries of their soil’s transformation over more than a century. In exchange for permitting soil sampling, they could receive complimentary analyses worth $5,000 and expert consultations from a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research team. The project emerged when soil scientist Andrew Margenot unexpectedly discovered an ancient
For years, residents and businesses in North Chicago have dealt with the costly and disruptive impacts of flooding from major storm events. However, help is on the way in the form of the North Chicago Storm Sewer Project, a comprehensive effort to reduce flood risks throughout the area. The project, funded through the Federal Emergency
Soil Conservation: A Social Imperative Dr. Michael Woods, executive director of the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts, penned a thought-provoking letter to the Illinois Times in response to David Blanchette’s recent article on the inaugural Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition conference. Blanchette’s piece, “Grass is good for land, livestock, and livelihoods,” explored the
Residents across Lake County, Illinois are being urged to stay vigilant as an ominous flood warning has been issued for portions of the Fox and Des Plaines Rivers. Recent relentless downpours have saturated the ground, triggering localized flooding in some low-lying areas, and the situation is expected to worsen in the coming days. The Lake
