Illinois Department Natural Resources
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | State Departments
Recent News About Illinois Department Natural Resources
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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.
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Illinois State Museum opens exhibition featuring four U.S. presidents linked to state
The Illinois State Museum has unveiled its latest exhibition, "Presidential Illinois," at its Springfield location on the Capitol Complex. This exhibit highlights significant artifacts from four U.S. presidents associated with Illinois: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama.
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Vandalia Statehouse celebrates Lincoln's birthday with special event
The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site will commemorate Abraham Lincoln's birthday with a special event on Sunday, February 11. Randy Duncan, who will portray Lincoln, is set to present a program titled "Lincoln's time and work in the state legislature in Vandalia." The presentation will focus on Lincoln's opposition to the state legislature's condemnation of the District of Columbia's abolition of slavery and how this shaped his stance on slavery.
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Illinois beach park earns WEDG verification for innovative stabilization project
The Illinois Beach Shoreline Stabilization Project in Lake County has received Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Verification, as announced by Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Illinois Capital Development Board. WEDG is a national rating system that assesses the design and construction of waterfront projects. The project at Illinois Beach State Park achieved the gold standard under WEDG's Version 3.0.
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Illinois extends hosting rights for Grand American trapshooting event through 2036
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) have extended their agreement to host the Grand American at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta through 2036. IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie expressed enthusiasm about the extension, stating, "I'm thrilled we were able to extend this contract for another decade." She highlighted the event's significance as an economic driver for Randolph County and southern Illinois.
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Scholarship opportunity for Illinois seniors dedicated to conservation
Illinois high school seniors have until March 3 to apply for the 2024 Conservation Achievement Scholarship, organized by the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF). The foundation awards scholarships annually to seniors who show commitment to preserving and enhancing the state's natural resources. This year, four scholarships of $2,000 each are available, with one specifically for a dependent of an Illinois Department of Natural Resources employee.
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Illinois awards $54.9M for 111 local park projects
Nearly $55 million in state grants have been allocated to support 111 local park projects across Illinois. Governor JB Pritzker announced the funding, aimed at helping communities acquire land and develop recreational facilities. The Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is in its 37th year.
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Midwest Walleye Challenge invites anglers for 2024 competition
Illinois anglers targeting walleye, sauger, or saugeye are invited to join the 2024 Midwest Walleye Challenge. This virtual competition is organized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in collaboration with other states, provinces, and Anglers Atlas developers and researchers.
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Illinois awards $2.4M grants for community outdoor recreation projects
Eight communities in Illinois will receive nearly $2.4 million in grants to improve outdoor recreational spaces, as announced by Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These funds are sourced from the National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and will be administered by IDNR.
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Illinois awards over $28M in grants for park and recreation facility upgrades
More than $28 million in state grants have been awarded to local governments across Illinois for various recreational projects. Governor JB Pritzker announced the funding, which is part of the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant program. This initiative is under the umbrella of Governor Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
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Illinois seeks instructors for 2024 urban fishing program
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is currently accepting applications for instructors for its 2024 summer fishing clinics, part of the Urban Fishing Program. These clinics are hosted in various communities across Illinois and offer temporary positions lasting up to six months. The roles are ideal for teachers, retirees, students, and others interested in teaching fishing skills and ecology.
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IDNR funds buyout plan for flood-damaged homes in Dieterich
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has committed over $1.4 million to assist the Village of Dieterich in Effingham County with acquiring and demolishing flood-damaged properties. The funding, part of IDNR's Flood Hazard Mitigation Program, aims to cover approved costs for buying out buildings on 11 lots across Vine, Section, Maple, and Center streets.