Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · 15d

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

Study: 72% of Illinois wetlands no longer protected by federal Clean Water Act – News Bureau

news.illinois.edu

Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · 15d

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.

The researchers standing on a wooden deck in Busey Woods.

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · 17d

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.

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · 18d

The federal government has twice promised Brooklyn, Illinois — Americas oldest Black town — money for preservation. And twice it has failed to deliver.

Setbacks and hope as America’s oldest Black town fights for its survival

The federal government has twice promised Brooklyn, Illinois — Americas oldest Black town — money for preservation. And twice it has failed to deliver.

trib.al

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · 17d

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.

WCIA 3 News @wcia3news.bsky.social · 17d

An invasive tick has recently been found in a new county in Illinois, and researchers are sharing more information about the importance of tick surveillance.

Asian longhorned tick found in new Illinois county

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — An invasive tick has recently been found in a new county in Illinois, and researchers are sharing more information about the importance of tick surveillance. The Asian longh…

www.wcia.com

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · 21d

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

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

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · 23d

🌡️ 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

Browned and dry corn stalks standing in a field.

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · 23d

🌳 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...

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

Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · 29d

💧 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

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

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Sep 10

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

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Sep 9

📢 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

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

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 27

🚤 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

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

loom.ly

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 26

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/

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

Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 21

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

Illinois team updates state threatened, endangered plant species rankings – News Bureau

news.illinois.edu

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 21

🌻 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.

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

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 20

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

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 19

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

A professional portrait of Jenna Shelton.

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 14

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...

A man stands between two large storage shelves

Reposted by Prairie Research Institute

Jeremy Tiemann @jayhawktiemann.bsky.social · Aug 12

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...

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

www.routledge.com

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 12

🐟 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

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

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 8

Staying Ahead of Intense Precipitation in Illinois – Illinois State Climatologist

stateclimatologist.web.illinois.edu

Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 8

⛈️ 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 rainy evening in the streets of downtown Chicago.

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Aug 5

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...

A man wading in a wetland holding a turtle trap.

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Reposted by Prairie Research Institute

WARM Program at UIUC @warm-isws.bsky.social · Jul 24

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

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Prairie Research Institute @prairieresearch.bsky.social · Jul 16

⛏️ 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...

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

Reposted by Prairie Research Institute

WARM Program at UIUC @warm-isws.bsky.social · Jul 15

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

June 2025

blogs.illinois.edu

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