Prairie Research Institute

👉 Read the full story: news.illinois.edu/study-72-of-illinois-wetlands-no-longer-protected-by-federal-clean-water-act

The researchers standing on a wooden deck in Busey Woods.

A 2023 Supreme Court ruling (Sackett v. EPA) narrowed the definition of “waters of the United States.”
A new study from @illinoisnres.bsky.social and PRI finds that about 72% of Illinois wetlands may no longer be federally protected.

Archaeologists from Illinois State Archaeological Survey at PRI are working hard to uncover artifacts and stories about Brooklyn's beginnings, thanks in part to support from a grant from National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The INHS Medical Entomology Lab at PRI provides statewide tick and mosquito surveillance to track the spread of vector-borne diseases. The Asian longhorned tick only recently appeared in IL and is a concern because it can transmit a parasite, which can cause infections in livestock.

An illustration of an aerial view of the city of Cahokia depicting buildings, temples, mounds, and communal spaces.

Did you know that Illinois State Archaeological Survey has over 100 published reports available — 64 of them free to download? 👉 Browse and download reports at isas.illinois.edu/publications/studies_in_archaeology

Browned and dry corn stalks standing in a field.

🌡️ Since August, extreme drought conditions have hit south and central Illinois hard. Read the latest blog from @ilclimatologist.bsky.social to learn about what this means for Illinois and the Midwest.👉 loom.ly/YYs7wlA

A view of a prairie at sunrise. Text at the bottom says, "we're hiring".

🌳 Scientific Specialist, Field Scientist -- Join Illinois Natural History Survey! Help provide conservation program oversite, technical assistance, and management. Apps due Sep. 22, 2025. 👉 blogs.illinois.edu/view/7426/12...

An aerial view of agricultural fields. Circular green spots show were pivot irrigators are being used. Text at the bottom says, "we're hiring."

💧 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Hydrogeology -- Join Illinois State Water Survey! Help conduct research evaluating aquifer recharge in shallow aquifers through hydrogeologic modeling. Position open until filled. 👉 Apply now: loom.ly/ruJMjxc

A setting sun over a prairie.

August in Illinois welcomed autumn — tied for the 59th warmest and 9th driest. ☀️Curious how the month shaped up? @ilclimatologist.bsky.social at the Illinois State Water Survey breaks it down in a new blog. Check it out loom.ly/PljDg4A

A woman in a orange shirt facilitates a team meeting in front of a white board.

📢 Associate Director for Strategic Communications and Engagement -- Join PRI! Lead our communications efforts, communicate science, and help build our reputation! Apps due Sep. 19, 2025. 🔗 Apply now: loom.ly/Tj6uF6c

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

🚤 Illinois Natural History Survey and @ilinseagrant.bsky.social scientists received a grant to help boaters & harbormasters fight invasive aquatic plants. These invaders crowd out native species, reduce fish populations & overtake lakes & streams. 👉 Learn more: loom.ly/9CWs8C0

A corn field in the foreground, trees in the background, and blue sky with white clouds.

July in Illinois was H-O-T T-O-G-O — tied for the 16th warmest and 10th wettest. 🌡️🌧️ @ilclimatologist.bsky.social at the Illinois State Water Survey breaks down July's climate in a new blog. 👉 Check it out stateclimatologist.web.illinois.edu/2025/08/07/july-was-h-o-t-t-o-g-o/

Read the story from the U of I News Bureau: news.illinois.edu/illinois-team-updates-state-threatened-endangered-plant-species-rankings/

The round-leaved sundew, Drosera rotundifolia, on the left, and the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, on the right.

🌻 For the first time since 1987, scientists from the Illinois Natural History Survey and @illinoisdnr.bsky.social updated the state conservation status ranks of threatened and endangered plants in IL. 👉 Check out the the full story linked in the thread.

A view of the Illinois River with text overlaid that says, "We're Hiring."

🤝 Stewardship and Donor Development Specialist – Join Illinois Natural History Survey and @irbs.bsky.social! Help lead fundraising and development campaigns to sustain research, conservation, and educational outreach efforts. Position is open until filled. 👉 blogs.illinois.edu/view/7426/15...

A woman sits on a rock by a river wearing green USGS hat and shirt.

A professional portrait of Jenna Shelton.

Congratulations to Jenna Shelton, the new director of the Illinois State Water Survey! 🎉 Learn how she went from University of Illinois student to water survey director. 👉 Read the announcement: blogs.illinois.edu/view/7447/85...

A man stands between two large storage shelves

A new book from the Illinois State Archaeological Survey offers a rich look at our state’s past, bringing overlooked stories to light and exploring the deep history of our state.
👉 Read an interview with editor Thomas Emerson, Illinois’ first State Archaeologist: news.illinois.edu/whats-missin...

Freshwater Mussels of Central America This book describes a fauna of global conservation concern and provides a framework for researchers to begin to test hypotheses regarding the evolution of freshwater mussels in Central America. Placing the Central American fauna in context with that of North and South America, the authors fill a gap in our knowledge of this endangered and largely endemic fauna. This book: Provides a full‑color treatment of all 81 native and introduced freshwater mussel species found from the Río Grande in Te

New book alert on this #MolluskMonday! (OK, a day late)

Introducing "Freshwater Mussels of Central America"

Our book describes a fauna of global conservation concern in an understudied area

PS- we're trying to reduce the price & make it open access. Stay tuned!

www.routledge.com/Freshwater-M...

Carp jumping out of the water while a field crew works from a boat in the background. Below, text reads, "we're hiring."

🐟 Aquatic Field Technician – Join Illinois Natural History Survey and @irbs.bsky.social!
Assist large river ecologists in long-term river monitoring data and lab sample processing. 📍 Macomb, IL. Job is open until filled. 👉 Apply now: blogs.illinois.edu/view/7426/110453229

🔗 Read more: stateclimatologist.web.illinois.edu/2025/07/28/s...

A rainy evening in the streets of downtown Chicago.

⛈️ Intense rainstorms are hitting Illinois harder and more often because of climate change. Illinois State Water Survey is tracking these extreme events to help improve flood maps and models so communities can better prepare.
👉 Read the latest @ilclimatologist.bsky.social blog in the thread

A man with glasses holding two turtles.

A man wading in a wetland holding a turtle trap.

A man holding a snake.

Congratulations to Michael Dreslick, the new director of the Illinois Natural History and Illinois State Biologist! 🎉 Read how we went from doctorate student to state leader: blogs.illinois.edu/view/7447/29...

Thank you AASC for the 30 Year Mesonet Award celebrating ICN's 30+ years of collecting high quality weather and soil data for Illinois @prairieresearch.bsky.social

Three individuals at an archaeological excavation site, with text overlaying that says, "We're hiring."

⛏️ Visiting Senior Scientific Specialist, Archaeology – Join Illinois State Archaeological Survey! Conduct and lead field archaeological investigations, analysis, and reporting. Located in Elgin, IL. Apps due Aug. 7, 2025. 👉 blogs.illinois.edu/view/7426/12...

June 2025

A warmer, drier June for IL with declining water tables and soil moistures. Details in the latest IL Water & Climate Summary -- blogs.illinois.edu/view/8935/59.... #ilwx #ilsoils #ilgw @prairieresearch.bsky.social

Can artificial reefs in Lake Michigan slow erosion and boost fish population? Researchers aim to find out. Rubble ridges, which have been built parallel to the shore, help retain some sand without fully stopping the natural flow in the lake.

Rubble ridges aren’t just typical rocky reefs found on the bottom of the Great Lakes — they’re entirely man-made and designed as a cost-effective tool to prevent erosion.

Breaking ground at the newest ICN station in Coles County yesterday. The station is made possible thanks to funding from the Lumpkin Family Foundation. Look for the new station on our website this fall. #ilwx #ilsoils

Chicago-based Asian carp dog treat helping save Great Lakes from invasive fish Dogs are taking the bait! A Chicago-based pet food company is offering up an Asian Carp dog treat.

If you can't beat 'em, have your dog eat 'em? A Chicago-based company is using invasive silver carp from the Mississippi River to make dog treats abc7chicago.com/post/chicago...

Closeup of Flathead catfish

Closeup of channel catfish

Blue catfish

Happy #NationalCatfishDay! Illinois is home to 13 native catfish species! Here are a few you might find out on the Illinois River!

Starting with our common commercial and recreational species: Flathead, Channel, and Blue catfishes

@prairieresearch.bsky.social

🔗 Learn more and apply: blogs.illinois.edu/view/7426/12...