Illinois/Indiana Prairies

Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge near Hennepin, Illinois scheduled a Fall Frolic event for October 17, 2026, with guided wildlife viewing and restoration activities. October is the peak period for migrating ducks, geese, and American white pelicans at the restored 3,000-acre refuge.

Granville STP in LaSalle County is in significant non-compliance for exceeding its monthly average discharge limit for at least one pollutant. Facilities violating monthly average limits are releasing treated wastewater above permitted concentrations and must correct the exceedance immediately; a violation that persists signals inadequate treatment capacity or process control.

Eastern white pine was observed in Deer Park Township on 2026-10-18, recorded multiple times in October. This native conifer is listed as threatened in Illinois and declining across its eastern range due to white pine blister rust and other pathogens, making its presence in local woodlands significant for tracking remnant populations.

Partridgeberry was observed in LaSalle County on 2026-10-24. This low-growing forest groundcover is listed as threatened in Illinois and typically occurs in rich woodlands with stable soil and moisture conditions that have become increasingly fragmented across the prairie landscape.

Amur honeysuckle was documented on W Main St, Granville on 2026-10-25, with 8 sightings across the ecosystem in the past 30 days. This invasive shrub from Asia outcompetes native plants by leafing early in spring and persisting through winter, degrading prairie and woodland understories across this region.