Previous surveys have shown that a majority of homeowners purchase pesticides from home/garden centers and use these outlets as information providers for their pest management activities. As a result, retail stores that sell pesticides represent an important source of pest control information and product recommendations for the average homeowner.

We surveyed over 900 retail stores in Illinois to help understand how pest management recommendations are made, identify current sources of information and assess educational needs. Significant differences in the level of employee training, resource materials used and customer referrals were noted among lawn and garden stores, home improvement centers, hardware stores and general merchandise stores.

While 72 percent of lawn and garden centers assign specific employees to make pesticide recommendations, only 39 percent of hardware stores identify an employee that makes recommendations. Differences between store types were even more pronounced when asked where they refer customers if a question cannot be answered in the store. Over 80 percent of lawn and garden centers referred customer questions to Extension or Master Gardeners, while less than 20 percent of general merchandise stores made similar referrals.

As retail store employees become more knowledgeable about integrated pest management, this should improve their ability to make recommendations and ultimately reduce risk to consumers and the environment.

- George Czapar, Extension educator, integrated pest management

Rain gardens are a way we all can help protect one of our most important resources–water. Rain gardens are slightly depressed attractive landscaped areas planted with perennial native plants which don't mind getting "wet feet."

In rain gardens, rainwater can soak into the ground, replenishing groundwater and protecting our surface water.

The benefits of rain gardens are multiple. They:

• Allow rainwater to soak in instead of running off.
• Can help alleviate problems with flooding and drainage.
• Enhance the beauty of yards and communities.
• Provide habitat and food for wildlife like birds and butterflies.
• Recharge the ground water supply.

Install a rain garden and help to protect our greatest natural resource–water.

Most people enjoy seeing wildlife, but conflicts sometimes occur when animals move into our homes or damage landscape plants.

The best way to prevent these conflicts in your home is through maintenance. Repair holes in vents or siding and install a chimney cap. Also, prune tree branches back at least 8 feet from your roof to reduce access.

It is more difficult to reduce conflicts in your yard. Fencing is usually an expensive option, but it can be effective if constructed correctly. Anticipate damage and install the fence prior to wildlife feeding on the plants. Taste repellents are also available but have limitations, so research the product before purchasing. Sound producing devices and other frightening techniques have shown limited effectiveness.

In Illinois, wildlife are protected by state law and migratory birds are also protected by federal law. To trap and remove an animal from your property, a nuisance permit must be obtained from a biologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, or a licensed nuisance trapper can be hired.

Remember that by landscaping your backyard you are creating wildlife habitat. Unless animals are causing property damage, it may be easier to share your space with wildlife. More detailed information about wildlife nuisance management can be found at http://icwdm.org.

- Dave Shiley, Extension educator, natural resources

What is a watershed? A watershed is an area of land that drains water, sediment and other material to a common point. Everyone everywhere lives in a watershed. Therefore everyone has a personal stake in managing our watershed.

Everything that you do in the watershed affects your water quality and the health of our watershed, from the fertilizer and pesticide we apply for green lawns to the litter we see along the roadsides. What happens in our watershed affects our natural resources either positively or negatively–from the water we drink and the air we breathe to the health of the animals and plants that live in our watershed. What happens upstream from us affects our water and watershed, and what we do affects the water quality and the watershed downstream of us. How we handle our society's waste has a major impact on our current and future community watersheds health.

Communities are turning to watershed management planning to protect our water resources by empowering local people to provide for the environmental, social and economic health. Effective watershed planning can increase property values, expand the marketability of a community/county and improve the health of its inhabitants, both human and animal. Watershed planning requires participation from a variety of individuals.

Everyone who has an interest in their watershed should feel welcome to become involved with their watershed. The Illinois Watershed Management Clearinghouse website at www.watershed.uiuc.edu provides a watershed locator that gives contact information on local watershed groups.

- Susan Meeker, Extension educator, natural resources

U of I Extension Drainage Law: Landowner Rights and Responsibilities Telenet,
March 8
U of I College ExplorAces, March 9-10
Ground Water Awareness Week, March 11-17
Floodplain and Stormwater Conference Springfield, IL, March 13-14
National Agriculture Week Celebrations, March 18-24
National Wildlife Week, April 15-21
National Environmental Education Week, April 15-21
U of I Extension Aquatic Weed Identification and Management Telenet, April 17
Earth Day, April 22
National Arbor Day Celebrations, April 27
National Soil & Water Stewardship Week, April 29– May 6
American Wetlands Month, May
National Drinking Water Week, May 6-12
International Migratory Bird Day, May 12
Illinois River Appreciation Month, June
National Trails Day, June 2