Presented by Kim Erndt-Pitcher

There is increasing concern that protected natural areas are being negatively affected by chemical pesticides that stray from target areas. We characterized the occurrence and concentration of chemical pesticides and symptoms associated with herbicide exposure at 185 randomly selected locations in Illinois, including 102 Illinois Nature Preserves Commission sites. We found at least one pesticide at 97% of sites, with herbicides being the most common class detected. We found visual evidence consistent with herbicide damage for at least 97% of site visits. Kim Erndt-Pitcher of Prairie Rivers Network will share more about what signs and symptoms to look for and the continuing work being done about this issue.