Tackling Nutrient Pollution: Illinois’ Strategic Approach to Water Quality Enhancement

Illinois plays a leading role in American agriculture and urban development. However, this contributes significantly to nutrient loss that affects water quality in the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico. In response, Illinois has initiated the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS), aiming for a 45% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus loads to improve water quality and mitigate the hypoxic zone in the Gulf.

Illinois’ strategy is led by a Steering Committee, which includes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and University of Illinois Extension. A policy working group developed the strategy and collaborates with approximately 60 diverse stakeholders to implement best management practices and monitor the state’s watersheds.

Illinois Extension coordinates and facilitates the steering committee, the policy working group, and eight subgroups focused on different aspects of nutrient reduction. An agriculture water quality science team composed of University of Illinois research faculty links nutrient loss research with practical implementation. The working groups foster partnerships by connecting researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers. Extension coordinates meetings, sets agendas, and ensures effective communication for the groups. It is also responsible for compiling and managing essential data across the targeted sectors of nutrient loss in Illinois – agricultural, point source, and stormwater. Extension produces public reports that detail progress and resource allocation, maintaining transparency with the public.

In Illinois’ NLRS priority watersheds, Extension watershed outreach coordinators and an Educator enhance partner organization and community stakeholder engagement through workshops, stakeholder meetings, and educational programs. These initiatives, informed by the latest research, prioritize agricultural best management practices that reduce nutrient loss in farm fields, at field edges, and through land use change. These coordinators also support the development and implementation of local watershed management plans, promoting collaborative conservation efforts.

Extension’s diverse stormwater education and outreach efforts include rainfall management and green infrastructure education. Stormwater staff oversee a comprehensive stormwater resource repository on the Illinois Groundwork website, illinoisgroundwork.org, which support professionals and communities in implementing nutrient reduction practices. This stormwater team also analyzes data from Illinois Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System communities to enhance statewide stormwater sector collaboration, education, and implementation strategies.

As part of the university’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Illinois Extension’s NLRS work demonstrates how forming strategic partnerships and implementing research-driven educational outreach can effectively address environmental issues concerning water quality, human and environmental health, sustainable food systems, and the resilience and well-being of communities. Through equitable partnerships, evidence-based research, and community input, Extension spearheads innovative, real-world solutions. The Illinois NLRS collaboration serves as a model for collective action and knowledge sharing.

To learn more about sources of nutrient pollution, Illinois’ nutrient loss reduction efforts and recommendations, and how to be involved, visit go.illinois.edu/NutrientLoss. Explore strategy development, reports, and meeting archives with the Illinois EPA at go.illinois.edu/NLRS.

Illinois Extension’s NLRS Team, supported by the Illinois EPA, is led by co-PIs, Dr. Shibu Kar and Dr. Travis Burke, and program manager, Joan Cox.

The University of Illinois Extension NLRS Team and Illinois NLRS Steering Committee

University of Illinois Extension NLRS Team and Illinois NLRS Steering Committee Members pictured from right to left. Front row includes Emily Steele (Media Communications Manager), Joan Cox (Program Manager and NLRS Steering Committee Representative), Amanda Christenson (Outreach Coordinator), Nicole Haverback (Nitrogen-Priority Watershed Outreach Coordinator), Rachel Curry (Ag and Watershed Educator and NLRS Steering Committee Representative). Back row includes Dr. Shibu Kar (Co-PI leader, Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Program), Dr. Travis Burke (Co-PI leader, Extension Ag/Agribusiness Program), Layne Knoche (Stormwater Outreach Associate), Brian Rennecker (IDOA Division of Natural Resources, Manager), Trevor Sample (IEPA Bureau of Water Watershed Management Section, NLRS Coordinator). Not pictured: Emma Eldridge (Extension Phosphorus-Priority Watershed Outreach Coordinator), Eliana Brown (Extension Stormwater and Water Quality Specialist), and Christine Davis (IEPA Bureau of Water Watershed Management Section Manager).