Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced that it will be accepting applications for the State Pheasant Fund Special Funds and the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Funds Grant programs from July 1 through August 1. These programs aim to enhance the natural environment for pheasant and wildlife through projects developed by not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities focused on conservation efforts.

Funding for these grants is sourced from the sale of habitat stamps purchased by sportsmen and sportswomen. Interested applicants must ensure they are registered and current in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act portal, with applications required to be submitted online. For further information, inquiries can be directed via email to susan.duke@illinois.gov.

Additional state funding opportunities can be explored by visiting the Illinois Catalog of Financial Assistance online.

The IDNR, established on July 1, 1925, as the Illinois Department of Conservation, is marking its centennial year of service in 2025. The department was initially created to oversee fish and game management, forestry, public works, and lakes under a single entity. Currently, IDNR manages around 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites. Its responsibilities also extend to wildlife, fisheries, forestry management; Lake Michigan water allocation; coastal management; conservation police duties; regulation of mines and minerals; oil and gas oversight; issuing licenses and permits; managing numerous grants; operating the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; as well as overseeing the Illinois State Museum.

For more information about IDNR's initiatives or history, visit their website at https://dnr.illinois.gov.