Consider a Smart Wetland for Your Ag Tile Drainage System

If you are interested in hearing more about Smart Wetlands, please consider attending one of the upcoming public events where Dr. Jill Kostel will share details of our program.

January 14, 2025, Alpha, IL
Is a Smart Wetland Right for Your Farm?
Tri-County Conservation and Farming Workshop,

January 21-23, 2025, Westfield, IN
North American Conservation and Drainage Expo, Grand Park Sports Campus,

How to Determine Which Edge of Field Practice Is Appropriate for Your Client's Farm
Jan. 21, 11 a.m.

How to Use Yours or Your Neighbor's Drain Tile Water to Build a Wetland for Hunting
Jan. 21, 2 pm and Jan. 22, 11 am

March 6, 2025 , Ogelsby, IL       
Sustainability on the Farm - Edge of Field Practices  

If you would prefer to talk one-on-one with a Smart Wetlands representative, please call 312-922-0777, ext. 202. If we don’t answer, leave your name, phone number, or email address and the Illinois town or county where your farm is located, and we will be in touch to schedule a visit to meet you and visit your property.

Plant Power: Ecologists map vegetative makeup of Smart Wetlands to Guide Ecosystem Management

In an exciting development for TWI’s Smart Wetlands program, staff ecologists have taken a step toward better understanding the evolving vegetative makeup of our farm-based Smart Wetlands sites, designed to improve water quality. Beginning in 2023, plant surveys were conducted at the sites for the first time. The surveys add to an existing body of water, soil, and nutrient data already collected for the purpose of better understanding, monitoring, and improving the Smart Wetlands going forward. (Continue reading)

Smart Wetlands Are a Reason to Be CHeerful

The Wetlands Initiative is pleased that our Smart Wetlands are considered A Reason to be Cheerful. The story along with photos and video from wetlands in Livingston and Marshall County, IL can be found at https://reasonstobecheerful.world/farmland-constructed-wetlands-healthier-watersheds/

Reasons to be Cheerful is part of musician David Byrne’s effort to re-imagine “the world through projects that inspire and educate.”

A festive Fall Field Day at Feather Prairie Farms

Hunters, hunting dog trainers, and landowners enjoyed a field event at Feather Prairie Farms near Dwight, IL, in mid September. In addition to touring ag tile treatment and restored wetlands, visitors heard Univerisity of Illinois researchers Dr. Mike Ward and Dr. Auriel Fournier discuss upland birds, waterfowl, and wetland management. Following dinner, Dan Irhke of Gun Dog Success discussed how to evaluate a puppy to determine if it has the right attributes to become a great hunting dog and then demonstrated how he and his staff train dogs to be hunting companions.