Across the U.S., including Illinois, many non-native wildlife species have found their way into new environments, where they can pose a threat to natural ecosystems and the economy. This spring, explore the history of these animal invasions and efforts to protect local natural resources and economic interests with the University of Illinois Extension webinar Wild and Wily Animal Invaders.

The free webinar will be at 1 p.m. on March 19. The session will be led by Extension natural resources, environment, and energy staff and presented by Joy O’Keefe, associate professor and wildlife Extension specialist at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Species covered will include feral swine, nutria, Norway rats and starlings. Sign up by March 18 at go.illinois.edu/AnimalInvaders.

Everyday Environment explores the intricate web of connections that bind us to the natural world through podcasts, blogs, webinars, and videos. The spring 2026 series explores the impacts of invasive species, the latest laws and research, tools for detection and reporting, and success stories of communities working to manage invasives.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this webinar, contact Erin Garrett at emedvecz@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. All sessions are recorded and available to watch on YouTube within a few weeks.

To connect with Extension natural resources, environment, and energy staff about a program or for a consultation, visit go.illinois.edu/NREEstaff.