Aurora University among most beautiful colleges

The U.S. News and World Report recently recognized a university in Illinois for having one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.

Aurora University, located in Aurora, was among 35 colleges and universities named on the list. Aurora University’s 37-acre campus features historical architecture and beautiful greenery, making it captivating for students and visitors.

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Celebrating Earth Day: Illinois’ Natural Beauty

Each April, Earth Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the natural beauty that surrounds us and the steps we can take to preserve it. In Illinois, that beauty stretches from rolling prairies and winding rivers to dense forests and peaceful wetlands—each playing a vital role in the state’s environment and way of life.

Illinois is home to a diverse range of landscapes that support wildlife, recreation, and agriculture. Places like Starved Rock State Park and Shawnee National Forest offer breathtaking views and miles of trails, while restored areas like Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie help preserve the state’s native prairie ecosystem. These spaces not only provide a place to explore, but also serve as reminders of Illinois’ deep connection to the land.

Conservation efforts across the state continue to protect these natural resources for future generations. From prairie restoration and pollinator programs to improving water quality in Illinois rivers and lakes, organizations and communities are working together to maintain a healthy environment. These efforts support everything from local wildlife habitats to the agricultural systems that help feed the nation.

Earth Day is also a chance for Illinoisans to get involved. Whether it’s visiting a local park, participating in a community cleanup, planting native flowers, or simply spending time outdoors, small actions can make a meaningful difference. Across the state, communities come together each spring to celebrate and care for the places they call home.

As the seasons begin to change and Illinois comes back to life after winter, Earth Day reminds us of the importance of protecting the landscapes that define our state. By appreciating and caring for these natural spaces, we can ensure they remain a source of beauty, recreation, and pride for years to come.

15th Annual Riverbend Earth Day in Alton draws hundreds

Alton hosted its classic Riverbend Earth Day Festival on April 11 this year and the event drew hundreds. The event featured live music, food and eco-friendly vendors, plant sellers and artisans. Many local businesses, musicians and restaurants were highlighted with an emphasis on eco-conscious shopping. A portion of the proceeds went to the Piasa Palisades Sierra Club, whose work includes supporting native pollinators and local ecosystems. 

The community on the river has been committed to protecting the Mississippi River watershed, managing forests and restoring native prairies. National Great Rivers conducts research, education and outreach on wetland protection. The Nature Institute manages and maintains prairie land in the Alton area through the Heartland Prairie Project and the Great Rivers Land Trust promotes the preservation and improvement of natural resources in the watershed of the Mississippi for the benefit of the general public.

To learn more about conservation, hunting, Illinois investments in parks and historic sites click here.

Share your story with the Library of Congress

• Declaration of Independence
• Library of Congress
• Illinois Voices 250
• Illinois America 250 Commission

Want your life journey to be preserved for future generations? As part of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing, people across Illinois are invited to participate in Illinois Voices 250, a statewide initiative to tell the stories of the people who live there.

Illinois Voices 250 is offered by the Illinois America 250 Commission, Illinois Humanities and StoryCorps Studios. The program will keep its recorded conversations with residents in the U.S. Library of Congress, where they will be preserved for future generations. The conversations discuss what democracy, belonging and civic participation mean in today’s world, and how residents’ experiences have shaped those thoughts.

Illinois residents can attend public community recording events or record their conversations on their own. Either way, there is no fee to participate.

The Illinois America 250 Commission was established by state law to showcase how Illinois represents the Declaration of Independence’s values, and it is assisted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The state is also celebrating 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in other ways, including a keepsake tourism passport, public art grants and Illinois United in Service.

To find out more about the Illinois Voices 250 program, visit https://www.il250.org/il-voices.