Prairie State Wire

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).

"IDNR is blessed to have marvelous volunteers, and their work is vital to the operation and upkeep of Illinois state parks, historic sites, state museum facilities, and nature preserves," IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said. "Volunteering can be hard work, but it's important work that benefits everyone who enjoys IDNR sites throughout the state. I'm pleased to recognize their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the people of Illinois."

The 2024 IDNR outstanding volunteers of the year are:

Gary Cope, Collinsville - Cope has been instrumental in the success of interpretive programming at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in St. Clair County. Since 2010, he has volunteered at the site's Interpretive Center in various capacities ranging from greeting visitors, serving as a docent in the gallery, and captivating visitors with his storytelling. He has given 110 tours and recorded nearly 600 hours of volunteerism.

Kerry Novak, Earlville - Novak has volunteered every Wednesday since retiring as site superintendent at Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County in 2019. In 2024 he contributed 125 volunteer hours as a front desk docent who assists more than 350,000 visitors who stop by the visitors' center annually.

Bill Lantz, Liberty - Lantz is a committed volunteer who dedicates his vacation time away from his day job to help the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in Coles County prepare for its Harvest Frolic Fall Celebration. He is willing to help in any capacity, including landscape work, repairing tractors, assembling tents, and running the tram at the event.

Robert and Marcia Shelby, West Salem - This husband-and-wife duo volunteer at Beall Woods State Park in Wabash County. They are dedicated to ecology and conservation through their work for the Illinois Natural History Survey Bird Count, Christmas Bird Count, monitoring barn owl populations, and conducting other surveys. The couple has volunteered countless hours at the park over seven years. Their true passion is educating the next generation of naturalists.

Tamina Itani, Chicago - Itani manages up to 190 volunteers covering 70 shifts per week for nine weeks each year to monitor piping plovers and their nests. Itani has been instrumental in protecting piping plovers and their habitat by creating educational materials and establishing conservation partnerships. She has worked with many organizations including the Chicago Park District while finding time to create educational materials for children.

Nancy Cottoms Giant City - Cottoms has volunteered at Giant City State Park in southern Illinois for eight years. She and her dogs Arlow and Kelsey greet visitors at the park where they are known as Giant City's "bark rangers." She has done everything from answering visitor questions to general office work directing traffic with a smile.

Friends of Langham Island Bourbonnais - This organization weekly paddles across Kankakee River State Park waters to Langham Island to eradicate invasive species rain or shine even during winter months.

Menard County Trails & Greenways Petersburg - This group helps eliminate invasive species along hiking trails at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site Menard County coordinating with IDNR contributing more than1300 volunteer hours since2021

Springfield Civic Garden Club Springfield Members have volunteered more than700 hours Dana-Thomas HouseState Historic Site SangamonCounty decorating house floral designs contributing holiday experience club won several national awards design themes

Larry Coultas Pana Coultas recognized2024 International Hunter Education Association-USA Illinois Instructor Year Volunteer hunter safety education instructor ChristianCounty more40years educated nearly3300 students115 classes

Roseann Webb Peru Webb volunteers Starved RockStatePark behalf Foundation greets visitors previously hike leader contributed2400volunteerhours caring nature naturally nurse mother four grandmother nine

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