Illinois Department Natural Resources
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | State Departments
Recent News About Illinois Department Natural Resources
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Illinois fall trout season set to open statewide on Oct. 19
The 2024 Illinois fall trout season will begin on Saturday, October 19 at various locations across the state. This includes 60 ponds, lakes, and streams. The early catch-and-release season will start on October 5, during which no trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites until the regular fall season opens at 5 a.m. on October 19. Anglers are allowed a daily catch limit of five trout.
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Illinois State Museum hosts 'Festi-fall' event at Dickson Mounds on October 5
The Illinois State Museum will host a family program at Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown on Saturday, Oct. 5. The event, called "Festi-fall," will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free for all ages.
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Nature-Culture Day scheduled at Cahokia Mounds for September 28
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville will host Nature-Culture Day on Saturday, Sept. 28 to introduce visitors to the natural environment of the site and its influence on Mississippian culture.
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Illinois State Museum's 'Growing Up X' exhibit receives award for excellence
The Illinois State Museum has been awarded a 2024 Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for its "Growing Up X" exhibition, which explores the childhood experiences of Generation X.
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Bishop Hill to host Jordbruksdagarna harvest festival on Sept. 28-29
Bishop Hill will host Jordbruksdagarna, a 19th-century harvest festival, on September 28-29. Visitors are invited to partake in various activities, demonstrations, entertainment, vendors, and food throughout the village, including at Bishop Hill state historic sites.
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IDNR announces nearly $1 million in grants for natural area stewardship
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced nearly $1 million in grants to support 14 stewardship programs managed by land trusts on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC). These grants are part of the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant program, which aims to enhance land and water stewardship activities in natural areas permanently protected within the INPC system. The program addresses the growing stewardship needs of natural areas throughout Illinois by funding projects that help land trusts expand staff and purchase...
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Shabbona Lake campground closing for improvement project
The campground at Shabbona Lake State Park will be closed starting November 1 to facilitate the replacement of vault toilets at the site. The closure is expected to last until April 30.
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Lewis and Clark State Historic Site to host fall craft fair Oct. 12
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Madison County will host its fourth annual historic craft fair on Saturday, Oct. 12. Admission and parking are free.
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Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site hosts Harvest Frolic Sept. 28-29
Celebrate the arrival of autumn at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site's Harvest Frolic on September 28-29. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
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Ferne Clyffe State Park celebrates its diamond jubilee with community events
SPRINGFIELD - When the State of Illinois purchased Ferne Clyffe for a state park in 1949, it was already well known for its natural beauty and scenic views.
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Illinois Department of Natural Resources schedules public meetings on chronic wasting disease
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host public meetings throughout northern Illinois to provide information on the status of chronic wasting disease (CWD), its effect on free-ranging deer populations, and IDNR's ongoing efforts to manage the disease.
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Illinois DNR announces bids for agriculture leases for crop years 2025-2029
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will accept sealed bids this fall for approximately 30 agricultural lease contracts for crop years 2025-2029.
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Illinois Conservation Police urge boaters to wear life jackets over Labor Day weekend
This Labor Day weekend, the Illinois Conservation Police are urging boaters to prioritize safety by wearing life jackets. The reminder comes as part of a broader effort to prevent drownings and other boating-related incidents.
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IDNR recognizes outstanding volunteers for contributions across state parks
Eleven individuals and organizations have been recognized as 2024 outstanding volunteers of the year for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
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Oak Ridge Campground announces temporary closure for bridge replacement
The Oak Ridge Campground at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area in Marion County will be closed to the public beginning Sept. 3 due to a bridge replacement project on the only access road to the campground.
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Illinois Conservation Police investigate fatal boating accident at LaSalle Lake
The Illinois Conservation Police are investigating a boating accident at the LaSalle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area that resulted in the deaths of two Indiana men who had been fishing with their 7-year-old granddaughter.
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Fishing events featured during final weekend of Illinois State Fair
Visitors to the Illinois State Fair are invited to explore a variety of new and long-standing fish- and fishing-related activities and exhibits in Conservation World during the final weekend of the 2024 Illinois State Fair, which closes on August 18.
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Illinois State Museum showcases new art acquisitions at Lockport Gallery
New additions to the Illinois State Museum's art collection are on display at its Lockport Gallery through Oct. 12, featuring works by artists Glen Davies, Evelyn Statsinger, Barbara Rossi, and Jaroslava Lialia Kuchma.
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IDNR announces winners in statewide cicada-themed art competition
The rare double-brood emergence of billions of cicadas in Illinois earlier this summer has inspired a commemorative art show. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) received nearly 350 entries for its cicada art contest, announced in May.
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Illinois Dedicates Conservation World In Honor Of Former IDNR Director Brent Manning
State officials on Thursday dedicated Conservation World 2024 in honor of Brent Manning, the longest-serving director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and a nationally respected champion for conservation and natural resources stewardship.