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[JULY 10, 2004] 

July archaeology lecture announced

The Illinois State Museum Paul F. Mickey Monthly Archaeology Lecture for July, entitled "Mysteries, Misdirection, Mishaps, and Misdeeds: The First 150 Years of Illinois River Maps," will be presented by Duane Esarey, the assistant curator of anthropology at Dickson Mounds Museum. His lecture will be on Wednesday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at the Illinois State Museum's Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St. in Springfield. The program is free and open to the public.

With few known landmarks and limited instruments, French explorers created a variety of maps of the Illinois River valley. These extraordinary maps showed the way for others. The maps also reveal a legacy of mysteries, misdirection, mishaps and misdeeds, all of which result in a colorful history and an intriguing story.

Access to the lecture site is from 10½ Street, where there is ample visitor parking in the west parking lot. The building is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

For more information about the Illinois State Museum's monthly archaeology lecture series, call Nina Walthall at (217) 782-0061 or TTY (217) 782-9175.

* * *

Hall of fame nominations accepted

Nominations will be accepted through July 14 for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, an Illinois Conservation Foundation program honoring individuals who have made significant commitments to natural resource protection and outdoor recreation in Illinois.

Nominees should include those outdoor sportsmen and women who have made significant contributions or exhibited unparalleled dedication in preserving, promoting, enhancing or supporting natural resources or outdoor recreation opportunities in Illinois.

All nominations must be submitted on an official nomination form no later than July 14. Forms may be obtained by contacting Kathy Wheeler, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; phone (217) 785-2003; e-mail icf@dnrmail.state.il.us.

Each nomination must be accompanied by a letter from the nominee. People nominated in prior years will be considered by simply submitting a 2005 nomination form. Initial nominations should include letters of support, as well as news clippings or any other documentation that might help familiarize the selection committee with the nominee's credentials for selection. Additional letters of support are also encouraged for repeat nominees.

The inductees selected for the 2005 class of the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame will be announced this summer. The induction banquet will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield on Feb. 19, 2005.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation, an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has raised more than $18.5 million in support of programs and projects of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources since 1995.

* * *

Registration scheduled for blinds on Mississippi River

Blind builders on Mississippi River Pools 25 and 26 will be able to register their blinds starting Wednesday, July 14, through Wednesday, July 21, for the coming season.

To register, a new 2004 Illinois hunting or sportsman license and 2004 Illinois State duck stamp for each blind builder will be required. These must be presented at the Mississippi River F & W Area office, located on Route 100 near the Rosedale junction. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, including Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18.

Blinds that have not been registered by the July 21 deadline will be available at a public drawing at the area office on Sunday, Aug 1. To register for the draw, participants will need either a 2003 or 2004 Illinois hunting or sportsman license, an Illinois State duck stamp, and a current Firearm Owners Identification Card. Hunters who are exempt from license requirements have proof of disability and a current Firearms Owners Identification Card.

All registrants must be 16 years of age or older on the date of the drawing. Registration for the drawing will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the drawing to immediately follow. Those whose names are drawn will have until 4 p.m. that day to register their blind for the upcoming season, and they will have to meet the aforementioned registration criteria.

For additional information contact the Mississippi River Area office at (618) 376-3303.

* * *

Discover the world of African art at the Illinois State Museum

"Mask Magic" is the second in the series of African art workshops being offered in conjunction with the Illinois State Museum exhibition "Where Animals Dance: Art of Africa." Designed for children ages 8-10 or 11-14, this workshop will be on Tuesday, July 20. The morning session, from 9 to 11, is open to children ages 8-10. The afternoon session, from 1 to 3, is open to children 11-14.

Using examples of elaborate animal masks in the "Where Animals Dance: Art of Africa" exhibition, participants will decorate a papier-mache mask with paint, feathers, paper, beads and other materials.

Workshops will include instruction and supplies. The cost is $7 for museum members and $10 for nonmembers. Each session is limited to 15 participants, and advance registration is required by Friday, July 16. For registration forms, Illinois State Museum Society membership forms and further information, call Jennifer Kuehner at (217) 782-5993 or TTY (217) 782-9175.

The museum is located on the corner of Spring and Edwards streets in Springfield and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the museum is free. Parking is available nearby, and the building is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

 

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Project Learning Tree forestry workshops scheduled

"Forest Ecology and Issues: Investigating and Exploring" Project Learning Tree high school module workshops for teachers are scheduled for July 27 at Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland and July 29 at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. Workshop participants will explore and learn about forest ecosystems through hands-on discovery and experimentation. Under the direction of resource professionals, participants will study the diversity of forest life and develop an awareness of the importance of forests in our daily lives.

In conjunction with the ecology module, educators will learn how to investigate and define an environmental issue, identify key players and points of view, generate alternative solutions, weigh trade-offs, and make personal and group decisions, using the Project Learning Tree high school module "Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests" as a base.

This workshop is free to attendees, who will receive the curriculum guides and associated classroom materials. Teachers are eligible for continuing professional development units. Lunch will be provided.

To register or obtain additional information about this workshop, contact Randy Wiseman, State Coordinator, Project Learning Tree, IL Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Education, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702; phone (217) 524-4126; e-mail rwiseman@dnrmail.state.il.us.

Many Project WILD, Project WILD Aquatic, Project Learning Tree and Project WET workshops for educators are being offered throughout Illinois in the coming months. Continuing professional development units are available to participating teachers. To learn more about these programs, visit http://dnr.state.il.us or contact Randy Wiseman at rwiseman@dnrmail.state.il.us or (217) 524-4126.

* * *

Basket-making workshop being offered

The Illinois State Museum and the Springfield Basket Art Guild will offer a basket-making workshop on Saturday, July 31, for adults and children ages 9 and older. Participants will learn how to weave and decorate a unique basket complete with appliqued design and wooden handle and base. This delightful basket could be a perfect gift basket, potpourri holder or decoration.

Instruction will be provided by members of the Springfield Basket Art Guild, and the workshop will be at the Illinois State Museum. Spaces are available in both the morning and afternoon sessions, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

The workshop cost is $15 per person for Illinois State Museum Society members and $17 per person for nonmembers. Each session is limited to 15 participants. Advance registration is required by Friday, July 16. For registration forms and further information, call Jennifer Kuehner at (217) 782-5993 or TTY (217) 782-9175.

The museum is located at the corner of Spring and Edwards streets in Springfield and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the museum is free. Parking is available nearby, and the building is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

* * *

Wing shooting clinic offered

A wing shooting clinic is being offered Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 at Specchio Farms in Fisher. The Saturday event is for youths ages 11-15, and the Sunday event is for females age 11 through adult. Up to 24 people can participate each day. For more details contact the Region 3 office of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, (217) 935-6860.

* * *

Early waterfowl season dates determined

The Natural Resources Advisory Board has approved dates for the early waterfowl seasons. The statewide September Canada goose hunting season is set for Sept. 1-15 and a statewide teal hunting season will be Sept. 11-19.

The September Canada goose season includes a daily bag limit of five geese in the state's northeast zone and two geese in the remainder of the state. Possession limits are double the daily bag limit. The daily bag limit of five geese is allowed in northeast Illinois because of the large resident giant Canada goose population in the region.

The September season allows hunters to harvest resident giant Canada geese before migrant geese arrive in the state. Canada geese taken during the September season do not count toward the state's regular goose season harvest quota.

A 2004 population estimate indicates that there may be more than 100,000 giant Canada geese in Illinois, an increase of more than 26 percent compared with last year.

For the nine-day September teal hunting season, a daily bag limit of four teal and a possession limit of eight teal will be allowed. The season dates are based on aerial duck surveys and hunter preferences expressed in statewide surveys.

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources
news release]

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