Illinois Microclimate Extension Team (IMET)

The Illinois Microclimate Extension Team (IMET) is a University of Illinois collaboration between  Illinois Extension , the  Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences  in the  College of ACES , and community members in Champaign-Urbana, Danville, St. Louis, and Chicago. Our goal is to work with community members to collect local microclimate data across Illinois using a  citizen science  approach. Microclimate is the climate near the ground, and by collecting microclimate data throughout Illinois we can better predict and understand the actual weather and climate conditions being experienced by community members and in urban ecosystems across Illinois. This information will be extremely valuable for assessing locations that may benefit from climate change mitigation and adaptation management plans, such as tree planting programs to enhance our urban forests and minimize the effects of extreme climate in our urban areas (see  urban heat islands  and  equity ).

You can be a part of the team by helping us collect important microclimate data from home. If you are interested in receiving a free microclimate sensor kit to help IMET collect data, then you can fill out the registration form below or scan the QR code to go to the registration form website. Your information will only be used by IMET leaders for purposes related to this research project.

If you want to go to the registration form website in a new tab, just click the link  HERE  or scan the QR code below.

If you have received a microclimate kit, then you are now ready to install one of the microclimate sensors (dataloggers) on your property. Use the information below to help with installation and please make sure to submit the installation form below. You can also find this installation form at  https://arcg.is/1LHLuu  if you prefer to fill it out on a new web page.

In your microclimate kit, you have received one TMS-4 Standard datalogger, one solar radiation shield with connecting ring clip, and one metal garden stake to help create a pilot hole in the soil. You can read more about the TMS-4 logger at  https://tomst.com/web/en/systems/tms/tms-4/ .

When choosing a location to place the logger on your property, you may consider a few items. First, the logger should be placed directly into the ground, not into a garden bed, mulched area, etc. Ideally, the logger will not be placed too close to your house or other infrastructure (sheds, sidewalks, equipment, etc.) to avoid any issues with altering localized climate conditions. Also, you may try to find an area of your property where the equipment is more protected from regular yard activities (e.g., mowing, yard work, play areas, etc.) to avoid damage to the sensor.

Read some other installation tips below before inserting your TMS-4 logger into the ground and please feel free to contact the IMET leaders if you have any questions about installation. Once the logger is in place on your property, don't forget to fill out the installation form below or at  https://arcg.is/1LHLuu. 

If you have any questions or need help with your microclimate kit, then please email or call  Sam Stickley , Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.