Prairie Research Institute

@prairieresearch

Scientists to the State of Illinois at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

114 Folgt351 Follower224 Posts

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Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· 24d

"I did not suspect then that the little yellow and black beetle would become my teacher, co-conspirator, and inspiration for the next three decades of my career." Joe Spencer, insect behaviorist, reflects on 30 years of research on the western corn rootworm. 👉 https://loom.ly/PAw-wcY

A man with a butterfly net standing in cornfield.

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· 25d

A retired scientist. Thousands of beetles. Nearly 20 years of volunteering. Bill and Cindy Ruesink made their commitment official with an endowment for one of North America's oldest insect collections. 👉 Read their story at https://loom.ly/Ccq0jG4

A man and woman standing among stacks of drawers.

A man holding a pinned beetle near his face.

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Jul 16

Help shape solutions to food waste! Take a 10-minute survey about meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and what happens in the kitchen at 👉 go.illinois.edu/FoodWasteSurvey. @extension.illinois.edu

Text that says, "Help shape solutions to food waste. Take the Illinois Household Food Waste Survey."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Jul 15

June climate report from @ilclimatologist.bsky.social: 🌧️ 7.40" of rain statewide — 5th wettest June on record 🌪️ 65+ tornadoes in June; 173 total in 2026 — a new ALL-TIME annual record, before July 4th More at https://loom.ly/HLCoHAg

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Jul 14

Researchers at the Illinois State Geological Survey propose a fix to cool data centers: use aquifers as "thermal batteries" to cool systems then return and store the water underground for later use. 👉 Read more: https://loom.ly/0amIcqc

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Jul 1

New pub from Illinois State Archaeological Survey 📗 "Mounds North of Cahokia: Sixty Years of Archaeology at the Mitchell Site" — the story of a sacred Mississippian mound center, a highway that destroyed most of it, and 60 years of archaeology piecing it back together. 👉 https://loom.ly/676zcg4

A snow covered field with an interstate overpass in the distance.

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Jun 18

Coles County just got its first-ever local real-time weather, soil & water monitoring station — the first addition to Illinois Climate Network @warm-isws.bsky.social in 20+ years. Thanks to a grant from The Lumpkin Family Foundation. 👉 https://loom.ly/RVulop8

Five people standing in front a metal structure.

Five people in a field looking at a tall metal structure.

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Jun 3

👷 Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Assessments Researcher – Join Illinois State Geological Survey! Help evaluate potential environmental and geologic hazards and risks for IDOT infrastructure improvement projects! Apps due Jun. 18, 2026. 👉 https://loom.ly/xgQwvTA

A retention pond with text that says, "go.illinois.edu/pri-careers," and, "we're hiring."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· May 19

Ready to get hooked on fishing? 🎣 Swim over to iFishIllinois, the official source for fishing info, from permits and licenses to guides and locations. Brought to you by @illinoisdnr.bsky.social and Illinois Natural History Survey. 👉 ifishillinois.org

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· May 14

April in Illinois had a few brief periods of cooler temperatures, heavy precipitation, and severe weather like tornadoes. ⛈️ Get the latest monthly recap and seasonal outlook from @ilclimatologist.bsky.social. 👉 https://loom.ly/fdJl0vs

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· May 13

What will Illinois lose as cities grow and landscapes change? Researchers at the Illinois State Archaeological Survey found that climate-driven migration and urban expansion could destroy tens of thousands of cultural sites across the state by 2100. 👉 Learn more: https://loom.ly/0b4Sk-s

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Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· May 12

Exciting news! 🦟 @idph.bsky.social awarded a two-year grant to the Medical Entomology Lab at the Illinois Natural History Survey to support statewide mosquito, tick, and biting midge surveillance. 👉 Read more about the grant 🔗 https://loom.ly/iybBZDc

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· May 6

Students got hands-on with wetland science at @ilepa.bsky.social Dive In! at William W. Powers State Recreation Area! 🌿💧 From measuring water depth to analyzing samples, participants literally stepped into the role of a PRI wetland scientist.

Hardhats, hi-vis vests, and rubber boots.

A person kneeling in front of a sign that asks, "what makes a wetland?"

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Apr 30

Researchers at the Illinois Natural History Survey are tracking ticks across Illinois and testing for pathogens like Lyme disease. 🦠 Their work helps map where disease risk is changing and informs public health decisions.🧵

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Apr 22

This month's Technology Acceleration Program newsletter covers a new poll on harmful chemicals, chemical manufacturing, plastic upcycling and more! 👉 Read the full issue from Illinois Sustainable Technology Center 📩 https://loom.ly/nM8iigc

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Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Apr 9

🌱 Research Experience for Undergraduates – Join Illinois Natural History Survey! Take part in a 4-week research program focused on the detection and diversity of phytoplasmas! Apps due: May 20, 2026. 👉 https://loom.ly/iD1JS3M

A leafhopper nymph with text that says, "go.illinois.edu/prijobs," and, "we're hiring."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Apr 8

March brought wild temperature swings, shattered records, and much-needed rain across Illinois! 🌧️ Get the latest climate recap and spring outlook from @ilclimatologist.bsky.social at Illinois State Water Survey. 👉 https://loom.ly/0YvRBcs

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Apr 2

🐍 Seasonal Herpetological Technician – Join Illinois Natural History Survey! Assist with reptile and amphibian surveys throughout northern Illinois! Apps due Apr. 10, 2026 👉 Apply now: https://loom.ly/nyKlxKU

A dark turtle with a yellow neck on a log. Text that says, "we're hiring," and, "go.illinois.edu/prijobs."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 24

🌺 Botany Field/GIS Technician – Join Illinois Natural History Survey! Help survey and classify vegetative communities and assist with a seed dispersal study at Illinois Beach State Park! Apps due Apr. 10, 2026. 👉 Apply now: https://loom.ly/vJelAt4

Swamp milkweed in full bloom with two bumblebees feeding on its nectar. Text that says, "go.illinois.edu/prijobs," and, "we're hiring."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 18

“Parasites can harm their hosts, but they also teach us a great deal about how nature works.” – Arif Ciloglu, visiting parasitologist, Illinois Natural History Survey. 🦟 Get to know Arif 👉 https://loom.ly/xEhCsUM

A portrait of a man. Text that says, "People of PRI," and, "Arif Ciloglu."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 17

🌨️ Winter is wrapping up! @ilclimatologist.bsky.social looks back at the season’s mild, dry conditions -- and what it could mean for Illinois’ spring climate outlook. Read the latest report 👉 https://loom.ly/tyyWAGU

A dry, winter landscape with scant snow on the ground.

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 17

🌎 Director of the Illinois 3D Mesonet - Join Illinois State Water Survey! Lead the creation of a first-of-its-kind, statewide, multi-sector environmental observing network. Apps due June 15, 2026. 👉 Apply now: https://loom.ly/56cxSkQ

Clouds reaching toward the horizon. At the bottom, text that says, "go.illinois.edu/prijobs," and, "we're hiring."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 12

🐟 Stream and River Research Technicians – Join Illinois Natural History Survey! Assist with research projects evaluating stream communities in Illinois. Perfect opportunity for a current or recent undergraduate student. Apps due March 27, 2026. 👉 Apply now: https://loom.ly/P-eONnQ

A group of field technicians standing in a woodland stream. Text that reads, "go.illinois.edu/prijobs," and, "we're hiring."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 11

Big news for sustainability and business! This month's Technology Acceleration Program newsletter covers free assessments for food biz, EV rebates, and more! 👉 Read the full issue from Illinois Sustainable Technology Center in the thread! 🧵

Fruits and vegetables piled high in a roll-off dumpster.

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 10

🦇 Bat Survey Field Technician - Join Illinois Natural History Survey! Help sample bats using acoustic surveys and mist-nets. Perfect for a current or recent undergrad in biology or natural resources. Apps due Mar. 20, 2026. 👉 https://loom.ly/mpow574

A bat wing outstretched over a backlight. At the bottom, text that says, "go.illinois.edu/prijobs," and, "we're hiring."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 6

We’ve surpassed our $3,000 goal for the Traveling Science Center!! 🎉 Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign so far. There’s still time to keep the momentum going before midnight 🧵

A progress bar at 100% with text that says, "we did it."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 5

We’re getting closer to our $3,000 goal -- and every gift moves us forward. The Traveling Science Center travels delivers museum-quality science experiences directly to schools and communities across Illinois. Give here: go.illinois.edu/supportTSC

Groups of adults and children looking at science exhibits.

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 5

🗓️ Assistant to the Director - Join Illinois Sustainable Technology Center! Serve as the executive assistant to the Director of ISTC and manage meeting logistics. Apps due Mar. 17, 2026. 👉 Learn more and apply today: https://loom.ly/0iFXeiM

Two people looking at a computer and taking notes. At the bottom, text that says, "go.illinois.edu/prijobs," and "we're hiring."

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 5

When the Traveling Science Center visits a school, curiosity takes over. 💡 Students explore biodiversity, invasive species, and learn how scientists study the environment that shapes our state. Your support helps make these experiences possible. Give today at go.illinois.edu/supportTSC

A person holding a skunk pelt up to child who is petting it.

Prairie Research Institute@prairieresearch· Mar 4

We’re off to a great start! 🥳 Support the Traveling Science Center so we can roll out to more communities across Illinois. Every $750 raised funds a full day of science programming at one school. 🧵