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Illinois' Free Fishing Days celebration
is June 11-14, when Illinois anglers can fish without purchasing an
annual fishing license, inland trout stamp or salmon stamp.
Illinois' Free Fishing Days are hosted annually by the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources with sponsorship support from
Illinois-based Plano Molding Co., the world's largest manufacturer
of fishing tackle boxes. For more information on Free Fishing Days
events in Illinois, call (217) 785-8955 or send an e-mail request to
events@dnrmail.state.il.us.
* * *
The
Hennepin Canal was just added to
the National Recreation Trails System designation. Spanning 96
linear miles and five counties, the Hennepin Canal Parkway is a
multiuse trail system that takes people through the rolling
agricultural land of the western north-central part of Illinois. The
parkway allows for a variety of recreational activities along a
historically significant resource, the nation's first canal
constructed of concrete and the model for the Panama Canal. Within
this unique setting, there are ample opportunities for biking,
hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding and
canoeing.
The National Recreation Trails System
is a network of trails created to provide for outdoor recreation
needs; promote the enjoyment, appreciation and preservation of
open-air outdoor areas and historic resources; and encourage public
access and citizen involvement. The system is administered by the
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program of the National
Park Service and the USDA Forest Service with support from the lead
nonprofit partner, American Trails.
To be nominated for designation as part
of the National Recreation Trails System, a trail must be open to
public use for at least 10 years after designation and must be
designed, constructed and maintained according to best management
practices and in compliance with applicable land use plans and
environmental laws.
* * *
The Department of Natural Resources is
celebrating the opening of the Interurban Trail, a nearly seven-mile
trail between Springfield and Chatham in central Illinois. The $1.3
million bicycle and pedestrian trail was completed with more than
$500,000 of assistance from the Department of Natural Resources. The
trail, named after the old Interurban Railroad line, will be
operated and maintained by the Springfield Park District and the
village of Chatham.
The trail was completed as the result of a
strong partnership between the local communities, Woodside Township,
the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Natural
Resources. A portion of the trail contains an experimental asphalt
and recycled rubber tire mix funded by a grant from the Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
* * *
Joe Kath, terrestrial endangered
species project manager for the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources, and his research about bats were the focus of a recent
issue of Smithsonian Magazine. Kath has been involved in a project
at the Magazine Mine, near Tamms in southern Illinois, which is home
to a number of bat species, including the endangered Indiana bat.
The Magazine Mine is one of more than 1,000 former U.S. mines that
have been turned into bat sanctuaries since 1994.
In his post at the Department of
Natural Resources, Kath develops endangered and threatened species
management and recovery plans and the issuance of endangered species
possession and research permits throughout Illinois. He also
coordinates much of the bat-related field study for the Department
of Natural Resources.
Kath currently serves as co-chairman of
the Midwest Bat Group, which is comprised of 10 Midwestern and
Eastern states involved in bat conservation. He also serves on the
executive steering committee for the North American Bat Conservation
Partnership and is a steering committee member of the U.S.
Geological Survey's project that monitors trends in U.S. bat
populations.
* * *
Reconstruction of the scenic boardwalk
and overlook at
Castle Rock State Park has won a 2004 Public Works
Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works
Association. The project was designed for the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources and the Capital Development Board by RJN Group
Consulting Engineers of Wheaton. The $780,000 project was completed
in mid-2003. The American Public Works Association is a
not-for-profit, international organization of more than 26,000
members involved in the field of public works.
Castle Rock State Park is located three
miles south of Oregon, Ill., on Highway 2. The park is centrally
located in the Rock River Hills region of Illinois, and its rolling
topography is drained by the Rock River. The park is along the west
bank of the Rock River in Ogle County and is very representative of
the Rock River Hills area, with rock formations, ravines and unique
northern plant associations. A sandstone bluff adjacent to the river
has given the park its name.
* * *
Proposed changes to a number of
administrative rules for the Department of Natural Resources are
available for public comment. For information about the proposals,
check
http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/rule-status.htm.
* * *
The Natural Resources Advisory Board
will meet June 24 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Brandywine in
Peoria. The meeting is open to the public, with time allotted for
comment on any topic. An agenda item of interest to waterfowl
hunters is the recommendations for the September Canada goose and
teal hunting seasons. The Natural Resources Advisory Board is a
13-member board appointed by the governor to advise the Department
of Natural Resources on long-range policies. For more information
call (217) 782-4963.
* * *
There's still time to register for the
first Chicagoland Fishing Rodeo for People with Disabilities. The
event will be at
William Powers Conservation Area on Saturday, June
19. The Chicagoland Fishing Rodeo -- sponsored by the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Conservation Foundation,
National Wild Turkey Federation and Wheelin' Sportsmen -- will give
people of all ages with physical or mental disabilities an
opportunity to fish for free.
Interested anglers are required to
bring a personal assistant. All necessary fishing equipment will be
provided. There is no charge for the event, which is slated to run
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 19. A free lunch will be provided at
11:30 a.m. for all participants and their assistants. Interested
participants must register in advance by calling William Powers
Conservation Area at (773) 646-3270 or TTY (217) 782-9175.
* * *
"Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?" is the
next Super Saturday program in A Place for Discovery at the
Illinois
State Museum. Come and join us Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. as part of the grand unveiling of the new natural history
exhibit,
"Changes: Dynamic Illinois Environments."
Illinois has many
interesting animals living here today. But what about animals that
no longer exist? Learn about the Jefferson's ground sloth and the
giant short-faced bear that once roamed our state. Also discover
today's endangered animals such as the gray bat and the Illinois mud
turtle, and learn what you can do to help save them. For more
information call (217) 782-6044.
* * *
The Illinois Department of Natural
Resources' 2004 Volunteer Projects Directory, listing volunteer
opportunities statewide, is now available. Project listings are
wide-ranging and are at state parks, the Illinois State Museum,
fishing clinics, safety education courses, youth hunting programs
and through the statewide EcoWatch network. Opportunities include
serving as a campground host, helping to maintain hiking trails,
working on invasive plant control, installing and monitoring
waterfowl and bird nesting boxes, seed and acorn collection, and
assisting visitors. Thousands of volunteers provide hundreds of
thousands of hours of their time to the department each year. To
receive a copy of the directory or to become involved, call (217)
782-4963 or visit
http://dnr.state.il.us.
The projects
directory is also available online. [To download the Adobe Acrobat
reader for the directory, click here.]
* * *
The 24-page activity booklet
"Illinois Common Birds" is now ready for distribution. Eighteen species of
birds are featured with coloring pages and information. Bird
characteristics and facts are included along with more student
activities. The free booklet was developed by the Division of
Education of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is
designed to be a companion to the "Illinois Common Birds" poster.
Both items may be requested by e-mailing
teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us or calling (217) 524-4126. Please
allow two to three weeks for delivery.
* * *
"Illinois Insects" is the latest entry
in the Illinois flora, fauna and habitats series of posters. This
24-inch-by-36-inch two-sided poster features color images of 24
insect species on the front. The back of the poster provides species
descriptions for these insects, as well as more insect-related
information. To order, contact the IDNR Division of Education by
e-mail,
teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us, or phone (217) 524-4126. Please
allow two to three weeks for delivery.
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New free DVD: Take your students
on a tour of Illinois' natural heritage without leaving the
classroom with this DVD from the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources. The "Exploring Illinois' Natural Resources" DVD contains
five videos that can be used as supplemental resources in a variety
of ways.
This free DVD is available to
Illinois teachers. Please send requests on school letterhead to the
following address: IDNR - Education, One Natural Resources Way,
Springfield, IL 62702-1271. For more information, contact the IDNR
Division of Education at
teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us or (217)
524-4126.
* * *
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.
* * *
Registration still open for several
Illinois ENTICE workshops: In the coming months the
Environment
and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education program is
sponsoring a variety of workshops for educators. All workshops offer
continuing professional development units for teachers. Workshops
are free, and participants will be provided with many
classroom-ready educational materials. The registration deadline has
been extended for open workshops and will remain open until they are
filled. More detailed information about each workshop and
a registration
form can be found at
http://dnr.state.il.us/entice/index.htm. [To download the Adobe Acrobat
reader for the form, click here.]
* * *
Bring a sack lunch and join
anthropology curator Dr. Jonathan E. Reyman on Wednesday, June 16,
at noon for a brown-bag art gallery talk featuring the exhibition
"Where Animals Dance: Art of Africa" at the
Illinois State Museum in
Springfield. The snake, hornbill bird, guinea hen, antelope,
crocodile, baboon and bush cow are just some of the animals
represented in the African art on display in the exhibition, which
includes masks, musical instruments, textiles and other objects from
the museum's African collection. Reyman will discuss the
relationship and significance of animals and dance in African
society. Tables will be provided in the gallery for brown-bag
lunching.
This program is free and open to the
public. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. For
more information about this or any other museum event, please call
Jennifer Kuehner at (217) 782-5993.
* * *
The
Illinois State Museum's
Summer Festival of Films offers free, quality, educational films this
summer for children. The weekly one-hour program is presented each
Monday and Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. through Aug. 17 in the
Thorne Deuel Auditorium, located on the museum's lower level. Film
topics include animals, dinosaurs, volcanoes, insects, nature,
travel, art and more. A different selection of films is shown each
week. Each program concludes with a cartoon. The Summer Festival of
Films is especially recommended for nursery school classes, day-care
groups and families. For groups of 10 or more, please call (217)
782-5993 for reservations.
* * *
The
Illinois Conservation Foundation will join local volunteers in hosting the
annual Luke Memorial Hospice Sporting Clays Benefit, scheduled for
Saturday, June 19, at the Randolph County Conservation Area, just
north of Chester. Proceeds from the sporting clays shoot will
benefit both the Illinois Conservation Foundation's youth
shooting-sports programs and Luke Memorial Hospice in Pinckneyville,
serving residents of southern and southwest Illinois.
Sign-up for the event begins at 7:15
a.m., with flights scheduled for 8 and 10 a.m. Each flight is
limited to 75 shooters. The entry fee is just $40 per shooter, which
includes the shoot, food and refreshments. For more information,
contact Jon Knop, 4584 Rockcastle Road, Steeleville, IL 62288; phone
(618) 965-3666.
* * *
The Department of Defense recently
presented the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center
with an award of appreciation. The award
recognizes the pollution prevention and waste reduction efforts of
the center through its participation with the Illinois Department of
Defense Environmental Partnership. The
Waste Management and Research
Center, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,
assists Illinois industries, businesses and citizens in preventing
prevent the formation of, reducing and managing waste.
The Department of Defense specifically
cited the Waste Management and Research Center for its development
of a weapons and parts cleaning system that uses water-based
cleaning systems, replacing the traditional hydrocarbon-based
cleaning systems. This reduced and even eliminated generation of
hazardous wastes. The center also conducted pollution prevention
opportunity assessments at all Department of Defense facilities. One
of those assessments led to a reduction in mercury use at the Great
Lakes Naval Training Center's medical and dental facilities. The
Department of Defense also recognized the Waste Management and
Research Center for the ongoing research services it provides to the
Illinois DoD Environmental Partnership and similar partnerships in
Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.
The
Illinois DoD Environmental Partnership was founded in 1997 by the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency, the Illinois Waste Management Research Center,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 and the Department
of Defense. It is designed to implement pollution prevention
measures, conserve resources, foster community well-being, and
enhance mission readiness at Department of Defense facilities in the
state.
* * *
A striking photo of a 12-spotted
skimmer dragonfly graces the
cover of the June
Outdoor Illinois
issue. The life and times of the fierce (to insects) but gentle (to
people) aerial predators are highlighted in the magazine. The
expanded-edition issue features an eight-page fishing insert
designed to help young and beginning anglers learn about the sport
of fishing. Also included are stories about North Point Marina on
Lake Michigan, boating safety, the training of a conservation police
officer, fisheries research, perch fishing, rare plants and a
special outdoor essay on the price of freedom.
Don't forget to stop by the
Outdoor
Illinois gift shop for the latest in fishing guides, bicycle trail
books and fashions for the even youngest outdoor enthusiast.
Subscribers also receive a special 10 percent coupon toward the
purchase of gift shop items by filling out a survey found online at
www.dnr.state.il.us/OI/index.htm.
* * *
There's a new concessionaire at
Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park. The concession will sell food,
confections, hot and cold nonalcoholic beverages; rent boats,
canoes, paddle boats and boating equipment; and sell bait, fishing,
picnic and camping supplies.
* * *
Wet May and warm spring rank among top
10 in Illinois
Illinois just had the eighth wettest
May and the seventh warmest spring since 1895, according to Jim
Angel, state climatologist with the
Illinois State Water Survey, a
division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Rainfall
during May throughout the state averaged 7.52 inches, 176 percent of
normal. Temperatures this spring averaged 54.8 degrees, 2.7 degrees
above normal.
The National Weather Service calls for
equal chances of above-normal, below-normal and normal
precipitation, with a slightly increased chance of
warmer-than-normal temperatures this summer in southeastern
Illinois.
Angel says that, historically, wet,
warm springs do not necessarily mean wet or warm summers. Still,
this abundant soil moisture should provide a buffer against any dry
spells this summer.
* * *
Spots still remain for the Illinois
Conservation Foundation's Sam Romano Lake Michigan fishing
tournament, scheduled for June 22 at Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club.
Cost is $1,000 per five-person boat. For more information contact
Bob Ruff at (217) 782-7181.
[Illinois
Department of Natural Resources
news release] |
