Illinois Department Natural Resources
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Environment & Natural Resources
Recent News About Illinois Department Natural Resources
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Logan Pappenfort Appointed Director of Tribal Relations for Illinois State Museum
Logan Pappenfort has been appointed as the director of tribal relations for the Illinois State Museum, following his role as interim director of Dickson Mounds Museum and former second chief for the Peoria tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. In his new position, Pappenfort will be responsible for fostering relationships between the museum and tribal nations in Illinois, ensuring compliance with federal laws such as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, Pappenfort stated, "I am grateful for the...
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3D Archery Range Now Open at Hidden Springs State Forest in Shelby County
A 3D archery range is now open to the public at Hidden Springs State Forest near Strasburg in Shelby County, thanks to students at Stewardson-Strasburg High School. The range, which features 22 targets, is open seven days a week during regular park hours. Hidden Springs had been without a 3D archery range for over a decade, but with the help of the students, the range has been revitalized.
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Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site to Host Spring Native American Market in Collinsville
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site will be hosting its annual spring Native American Market on May 18-19 at the Collinsville VFW, featuring arts and crafts by more than 30 tribal-affiliated artists from across North America.According to the event announcement, artists will be showcasing and selling authentic Indigenous arts and crafts, including items such as jewelry, ceramics, paintings, drawings, clothing, flutes, and woodcarvings. The public is invited to attend, and both admission and parking are free for the event, which will be held at 1234 Vandalia St. in...
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Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Ford County, Illinois
Chronic wasting disease has been detected in Ford County in northern Illinois, marking an expansion of the infection in free-ranging deer populations, as announced by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today.According to the IDNR, the always-fatal neurological disease threatens the long-term health of white-tailed deer in Illinois. The detection in Ford County was confirmed in mid-March from a suspect-deer showing symptoms consistent with CWD infection. This adds to the list of affected counties, which now includes a total of 21 counties across northern...
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Illinois State Museum's Gen X exhibition wins top awards
The Illinois State Museum has received two prestigious awards from the Illinois Association of Museums for its exhibition focusing on Generation X. The exhibition, titled "Growing Up X," was honored with an Award of Superior Achievement and the Innovation Award.
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Illinois supports national freshwater conservation initiative
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has expressed support for the Biden Administration's new initiative, the America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge. This national effort aims to conserve and restore vital freshwater systems across the United States for future generations.
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Lewis & Clark State Historic Site commemorates expedition's start with weekend events
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford will host the annual Point of Departure Commemoration on May 11 and 12, marking the 220th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The event is free to attend and will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
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Illinois Department of Natural Resources hosts webinar on OSLAD grant submissions
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is set to conduct a webinar on May 15 at 11 a.m. for those interested in the Open Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) matching grant program. This initiative provides financial support to local government agencies for acquiring and developing land for public parks and open spaces. The OSLAD program, administered by IDNR, supports projects ranging from small neighborhood parks to large community parks and nature areas.
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Youth turkey hunters set new record in Illinois
Illinois youth turkey hunters achieved a new record during the 2024 season, harvesting a preliminary total of 2,006 birds. This surpasses the previous record of 1,733 set in 2020. The season took place over two weekends: March 30-31 and April 6-7.
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Illinois schools receive over $55K for habitat development
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) have announced the allocation of more than $55,200 in grants for habitat development at schools and other public places across the state. A total of 28 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants have been awarded to support these projects.
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Illinois spring trout season begins April 6 with early catch-and-release option
The Illinois spring trout fishing season for 2024 is set to begin on April 6, with opportunities available at 58 different locations across the state. Anglers looking to start early can participate in the catch-and-release season starting March 23. During this period, no trout may be kept, but they can be harvested starting from the official opening of the regular season on April 6. Each angler will have a daily limit of five trout.
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Bobcat harvest reaches new high in Illinois' latest hunting season
The Illinois bobcat hunting season for 2023-2024 ended on February 15, with a total of 370 bobcats harvested by hunters and trappers. According to the data, 214 bobcats were hunted, accounting for 55% of the total harvest. Trapping contributed to 156 bobcats, or 40% of the total. An additional 19 bobcats were salvaged by permit holders from incidents such as roadkill.
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Illinois prepares for influx of visitors ahead of 2024 solar eclipse
Preparations are in progress to accommodate thousands of visitors in Illinois for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Several state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, have collaborated for over a year to ensure a safe experience for those attending.
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Women's History Month celebrated with events at Springfield historic sites
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is hosting a series of programs in Springfield to celebrate Women's History Month. The events aim to highlight the contributions of women throughout Illinois history and are open to individuals and groups who register in advance via Eventbrite. Participants will receive a special Women's History Month vinyl decal, which can also be collected at several locations including the Springfield Visitor Center and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
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Illinois urges residents to prepare as severe weather season begins
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) has designated March as Severe Weather Preparedness Month. The agency is focusing on helping families prepare for severe weather events, which can impact communities across the state.
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Illinois tourism launches video series showcasing outdoor adventures
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism, has introduced a new video series titled "Real People, Real Stories, Real Outdoors." This initiative aims to showcase the wide range of outdoor activities available in Illinois through stories from local adventurers. The series highlights the state's natural beauty and promotes it as a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers services at upcoming Deer Classic
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is set to participate in the 2024 Illinois Deer Classic, scheduled from March 8 to March 10 at the Peoria Civic Center. During the event, IDNR will provide a range of services and information.
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Illinois hunters harvest over eight hundred wild turkeys during fall archery season
Hunters in Illinois successfully harvested 803 wild turkeys during the 2023-2024 fall archery turkey season. This figure slightly surpasses last year's total of 801 and exceeds the five-year average of 750 birds. The hunting season ran from October 1, 2023, to January 14, 2024, across all 102 counties in the state.
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Chuck Martin honored as IRAP Landowner of the Year for conservation efforts
Chuck Martin, a dedicated upland bird hunter and conservation advocate, has been recognized as the Illinois Recreational Access Program's (IRAP) 2023 Landowner of the Year. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources made the announcement, highlighting Martin's efforts in habitat improvement and conservation on his property in Christian County.
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Springfield hosts history hikes and tours for Black History Month
State historic sites in Springfield are hosting a series of events throughout February to celebrate Black History Month. These events include history hikes, walking tours, and lunch-and-learn programs aimed at educating the public about significant historical events and figures.