Illinois Department Natural Resources
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Environment & Natural Resources
Recent News About Illinois Department Natural Resources
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Sangchris Lake State Park offers trapping permits through public drawing
A public drawing for trapping permits at Sangchris Lake State Park is scheduled for October 19. The event will occur at the park office in Rochester, with registration starting at 10 a.m. and the drawing commencing at 10:30 a.m.
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Red tag blind drawing for Quincy Bay scheduled for October 19
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced that the red tag blind drawing for the Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Area will be held on Saturday, October 19. The event is scheduled to take place at the department's district office located at 1252 W. Washington St. in Pittsfield.
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Illinois announces key dates for upcoming waterfowl hunting seasons
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced key dates and details for the 2024-2025 waterfowl hunting season. This marks the fourth year of a five-year plan initiated in 2020.
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Logan County trapper permits drawing set for October
A public drawing for trapping permits at the Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area and Helfrich Game Propagation Center in Logan County is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22. The event will be held at the propagation center office located at 1019 1310th St., Lincoln, with registration starting at 6:15 p.m. and the drawing commencing at 6:30 p.m.
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Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area hosts trapping permit drawing
A public drawing for trapping permits at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area is scheduled to occur on Sunday, October 20. The event will be held at the site office located at 10149 County Highway 11, Chandlerville, Cass County. Registration begins at 1 p.m., with the drawing set to start at 1:30 p.m.
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Youth invited to wingshooting clinics and pheasant hunts in Illinois
Youth between the ages of 10 and 17 are invited to apply for youth wingshooting clinics and pheasant hunts at three Illinois state parks. These events are scheduled for Saturday, November 9, at Iroquois County State Wildlife Area in Iroquois County, Johnson Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry County, and Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area in Tazewell County.
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Fort Massac Encampment brings history back to Metropolis
The Fort Massac Encampment is set to return to Metropolis, Illinois, on October 19 and 20. This annual event has been attracting thousands of visitors for five decades, offering a glimpse into life at Fort Massac during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The fort was a significant frontier outpost along the Ohio River from 1757 to 1814, serving France, Britain, and the early United States.
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Illinois Conservation Foundation launches new awards to honor outdoor excellence
The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) has announced the introduction of the Illinois Outdoor Excellence Awards. This new initiative aims to honor significant contributions to the state's natural resources and outdoor heritage. The awards will be presented at the annual ICF Gala, alongside the induction of individuals into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.
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Illinois Conservation Foundation announces new inductees into Outdoor Hall of Fame
The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) Board of Directors has announced the induction of seven individuals into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame. The honorees are Angela Funk, Henry Eilers, Jeremiah Haas, Matt Mullady, Rich McElligott, Terry Wunderle, and Thomas Foss. The formal ceremony will take place during the annual ICF Gala in spring 2025.
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Illinois opens state parks for youth waterfowl hunting in all zones
Numerous sites across Illinois will be accessible for youth waterfowl hunting during the 2024 hunting seasons. These include state parks, fish and wildlife areas, conservation areas, and recreation areas in the North Zone, Central Zone, South Central Zone, and South Zone. Federal sites under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' (IDNR) waterfowl administrative rule will also be open.
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Youth wingshooting clinics and pheasant hunts open for application in Illinois
Young hunters aged 10 to 17 are invited to apply for wingshooting clinics and pheasant hunts scheduled for October. The events will be held on October 19 at Edward R. Madigan State Park in Logan County and on October 26 at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area in DeWitt County.
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Annual candlelight walk returns to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site
The annual candlelight walk at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site will occur from 7-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4 and 5. The event marks the start of the fall festival season.
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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.