Emily Hansen takes over natural resources education in four Illinois counties

Master Naturalist volunteers in north-central Illinois log hundreds of hours annually on citizen science and habitat restoration projects. Those efforts now fall under the coordination of Emily Hansen, who has assumed the role of natural resources, environment, and energy educator for Bureau, La Salle, Marshall, and Putnam counties. The University of Illinois Extension announced the appointment this week.

Hansen previously served as a commercial agriculture educator. In her new capacity, she is tasked with creating programs that help residents understand and maintain the region's natural assets. Her academic background includes a master's degree in biological sciences from Illinois State University, where her research focused on the impact of cover crops on soil microbial communities. She also holds a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Lewis University and grew up on a fifth-generation farm in Grundy County.

The educator cited her personal history as a driver for the shift. "My background is in biology and ecology, and I’ve always been fascinated by how ecosystems function and how people interact with them," Hansen said. She noted that agriculture and natural resources are closely connected in the region, a link she intends to address in her upcoming initiatives.

During her year as a commercial agriculture educator, Hansen led programs on fossils, soil science, moth ecology, bat conservation, and insect collection. She plans to expand the curriculum to include wildlife, native plants, and general ecology. One specific upcoming program will cover the Mazon Creek fossils. "It’s such a unique part of our region’s history, and people are always amazed to learn that world-famous fossils can be found so close to home," she said.

Hansen will continue to work with growers through the Oglesby Agronomy Summit, the IVCC Ag + Extension Fall Field Day, and the Sustainability on the Farm series. She aims to assist farmers with topics at the intersection of farming and natural resources, including soil health, water quality, and sustainable land management. She also coordinates the Master Gardener volunteer program in the four counties.

The university provides details on these natural resources, environment, and energy programs at go.illinois.edu/BLMPMN.