I just bought a home with an extra lot and want to create a wildlife habitat safe for animals (and humans) and need advice and direction on how to proceed. This website is nice but all the posts are from people wanting protection from animals and I want to protect the animals from humans. Is there any agency that gives advice and direction on that? I want to get rid of grass that needs constant mowing and poison and use natural native plant life.

Creating Habitats and Homes for Illinois Wildlife is a great resource. https://pubsplus.illinois.edu/DNR01.html

Also check out: http://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx

For advice, you can contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources district wildlife biologist in your area. Darryl Coates (217)-784-4730

Or the Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program can help with guidance on what types of plants to grow and where to find sources for plants. http://web.extension.illinois.edu/mn/

Grand Prairie Friends will be having their annual native plant sale on May 10 in Urbana. http://grandprairiefriends.org/index.php

Have fun! And if you have other questions, please let me know.