NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

Hunter Survey Deadline: All hunters who received free permits to access Illinois Department of Natural Resources public land sites are reminded that the due date to return harvest surveys is Feb. 15. Hunters who may have misplaced or lost their surveys should contact the site office that issued it. Even if hunters received a free permit but did not hunt, return of the survey is important to biologists and site staffs managing these sites. If a hunter’s survey is not returned, that hunter may be ineligible to obtain a permit for the next year. The IDNR thanks those hunters who have already returned their surveys.

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GRANT PROGRAM NOTICE: Applications are being accepted for two Special Wildlife Fund Grant Programs administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Applications are now being accepted for the Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Fund and the State Furbearer Fund.

Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Funds may be awarded to appropriate not-for-profit organizations that submit a project that involves the development of waterfowl propagation areas within the Dominion of Canada or the United States that specifically provides waterfowl for the Mississippi Flyway. Funds may also be awarded for a project to implement the North American Waterfowl Management Plan for the development of waterfowl areas within the Dominion of Canada or the United States that specifically provide waterfowl for the Mississippi Flyway. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2005.

State Furbearer Funds may be awarded to appropriate not-for-profit organizations, governmental entities, educational institutions, or corporations that submit a project that strives to educate hunters and trappers of fur-bearing mammals within the state and the general public concerning the roles that hunting and trapping have regarding fur-bearing mammal management. Projects should also help inform hunters and citizens of the laws associated with the harvesting of fur-bearing mammals, the techniques used in the hunting and trapping of fur-bearing mammals, and the conservation, management and ecology of fur-bearing mammals and the promotion of products made from wild fur-bearing mammals. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2005.
Applications and additional information are available from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Resource Conservation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; phone 217/ 782-2602; or on the IDNR website at http://dnr.state.il.us

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Applications are now being accepted for the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Grant Program administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Resource Conservation Division of Habitat Resources. This program is funded through a voluntary check-off designation to the Wildlife Preservation Fund on the Illinois state income tax form.

Small Project Program proposals may address many types of projects including management, site inventories or education. Examples of past projects include wildlife habitat improvement, species enhancement, education and research projects throughout the state, focusing on species ranging from birds to turtles, and habitat ranging from forests to prairies. Individual proposals are eligible for up to $2,000 grants from the Wildlife Preservation Fund.

The Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Grant Program packet for 2005 includes a program explanation, instructions for completing the application form and an application form. The application packet can be found on the Department of Natural Resources website at http://dnr.state.il.us. The deadline for accepting applications is 5 p.m. April 1, 2005.

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Boat Slip Grant: R.A.S. Industries Inc. has been awarded a grant of $15,330 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to install four additional transient boat slips at the Tall Timbers Marina on the Illinois River in Havana. Each slip will have dockside utilities. Completion of this project will allow the marina to accommodate additional transient boaters along the Illinois River and provide them access to the local businesses in Havana.

Funds for the program come from federal excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels through the Sport Fishing and Boating Safety program. The grant program can provide up to 75 percent of an approved project’s cost. The program is intended to enhance boating for transient, non-trailerable recreational boats that are 26 feet in length or longer. Those awarded the grants provide the 25 percent balance of the approved project ’s cost.

For more information on the grant program, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Federal Aid/Special Funds Section at 217/782-2602.

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Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette State Park: The winter season bald eagle programs continue at Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County. Upcoming programs are scheduled for Jan. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 30. These informative programs about bald eagles begin with a short video presentation and discussion at the Pere Marquette State Park visitor center, followed by an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles. Reservations are required for all of the scheduled bald eagle programs at Pere Marquette, each of which begins at 8:30 a.m. at the visitor center. Call in advance for reservations or more information at 618/786-3323.

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Honors for North Point Marina: North Point Marina in Lake County was presented recently with the "Best Overall Event" award for its National Marina Day event held on August 14, 2004. The award was presented at the International Marina Conference in San Diego earlier this month. The conference is sponsored by the International Marine Institute, Marine Manufacturers Association, Marina Operators Association of America, and the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association. More than 500 delegates from 24 countries attended.

North Point Marina’s National Marina Day event was titled Venetian Festival 2004. It featured children’s activities, education programs, an arts and crafts area, a display on the state’s natural heritage, a car show, musical entertainment and presentations on boat safety by the U.S. Coast Guard. The event also included boat rides, a lighted parade of boats and a fireworks show in the evening. Event admission was free and more than 16,000 people attended. The event organizing committee included representatives from the marina, the Village of Winthrop Harbor, Winthrop Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club and local vendors.

North Point Marina will host the 2005 National Marina Day event on Aug. 13. North Point Marina, located in Winthrop Harbor, is operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It is the largest self-contained marina in the United States with nearly 1,500 slips. For more information on North Point Marina and on the National Marina Day event, contact Michael Kudesh, General Manager, North Point Marina, 701 North Point Drive, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096, phone 847/746-2845.

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For an exciting way to discover Illinois' great natural resources, pick up a copy of the February issue of OutdoorIllinois, the Department of Natural Resources' monthly magazine. For the first time ever, nearly every page of the magazine has been devoted to photographs illustrating the diverse wealth and captivating beauty of Illinois' natural resources. This photographic edition of OutdoorIllinois contains winning images of the 2004 OutdoorIllinois photo contest, as well as images from Department of Natural Resources staff and other photo contributors. OutdoorIllinois is a great tool for learning about Illinois' natural, cultural and recreational resources and a bargain at only $15 for a one-year, 12-issue magazine subscription. Call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.

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Illinois Whitetails: Be sure to pick up your copy of Illinois Whitetails - a book published in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and edited by renowned whitetail expert Gordon Whittington. The book includes all of the entries in the Illinois Big Buck Recognition Program, a full color section with big buck stories from across the state, and the history of Illinois’ deer population and deer management. The price per copy is $24.95. Proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program. To order Illinois Whitetails, click on the Illinois Conservation Foundation website at www.ilcf.org or call 217/785-2003.

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Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grants: Schoolteachers throughout Illinois are invited to apply for grants to help bring their lessons to life as they take students to visit Illinois’ natural heritage. The popular grants have funded field trips to state parks, nature centers and museums.

Awards of up to $500 per teacher are offered. Funds can be used to pay for transportation, substitute teachers and other qualifying field trip related expenses. Application forms for the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant program can be downloaded through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us. Forms are also available by request through e-mail at teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us or by phone at 217/524-4126. Applications are due by Feb. 15. The grant program is made possible by a donation from the Daniel F. And Ada L. Rice Foundation of Skokie and the Independence Tube Corporation of Chicago, with funds administered by the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

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The 185th meeting of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources building, Lake Level Conference Room A, Springfield. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. For more information, phone 217/785-8686.

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The entry deadline for the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest for 5th grade students is Feb. 21. The theme for the 2005 contest is “Trees are Terrific...and Energy Wise.” For more information or to receive a packet, contact Reinee Hildebrandt at rhildebrandt@dnrmail.state.il.us or 217/785-8771.

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For the latest information on Illinois waterfowl seasons, check the Goose Season Hotline for Canada goose harvest details. Phone the Goose Season Hotline at 1-877-249-3679.

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The IDNR Division of Education is sponsoring educator workshops through the ENTICE program throughout 2005. ENTICE is the Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education. These free workshops offer Continuing Professional Development Units for teachers. Visit http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/entice/Upcoming.htm for the complete schedule and a registration form. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. All applicants will be contacted. Contact teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us or 217/524-4127 for more information. ENTICE workshops provide natural resources information, instructional methods and supplemental educational materials. When incorporated into classroom lesson plans, the materials encourage and promote stewardship of our state’s natural resources.

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Decorative Abstractions - Reshaping the Common: Gallery Director Jim L. Zimmer will discuss decorative abstractions in art at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery’s Second Sunday Series in the main gallery of the museum on Sunday, February 13 at 2 p.m. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. Zimmer will explore how abstract imagery has been used by decorative artists and artisans throughout time and provide examples with a media presentation augmented with objects from his personal collection. The talk will tackle the issue of why abstraction is embraced in the decorative arts, yet often receives a cool reception in the fine arts. The Art in the Abstract exhibition, which will remain on view at the Lockport Gallery through March 4, is a colorful exhibition of 35 paintings, drawings, and prints dating from 1913 to 2002 by 28 Illinois artists drawn entirely from the Illinois State Museum’s permanent collection. The Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery is located on the first floor of the historic Norton Building at 201 West 10th Street in Lockport. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, phone 815/838-7400.

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The Illinois State Museum presents the exhibition “Carolyn Plochmann: Between Two Worlds” featuring 36 paintings by this internationally recognized southern Illinois contemporary artist, through February 27 at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Plochmann’s work has been exhibited and collected beyond Illinois - primarily for the last 30 years in New York City. The Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., Springfield, is open from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon-5p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.

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Works by 40 photographers are paired with the words of 17 famous poets in A Tone Poem in Photographs and Verse, on exhibit through February 27 at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. The Illinois State Museum is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon-5p.m. at 502 S. Second St., Springfield. Admission is free.

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The Illinois Artisans Shop will exhibit the work of accomplished glass artisans Christine Freeburn and Susan Nester at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 2-200, Chicago, during February. Christine Freeburn of Elmhurst will exhibit fused glass sculptures, bowls and plates that are influenced by architecture and modern design. Susan Nester, also of Elmhurst, will show fused glass jewelry using vibrant colors and patterns. The Illinois Artisans Shop is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, phone 312/814-5321.

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Discover the perfect gift for your sweetheart at the Illinois Artisans Shop Valentine Art Spree in the atrium of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street, Chicago,F ebruary 9-10 from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Selected members of the Illinois Artisans Program will exhibit and sell fine craft items that will make excellent Valentine’s Day gifts. The Illinois Artisans Shop, a not-for-profit endeavor, is a showcase for artwork created by the state's finest artisans. For more information, phone 312/814-5321.

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The Illinois State Water Survey and the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission will present a conference entitled “Straddling the Divide: Water Supply Planning in the Lake Michigan Region” on February 15-16 at the Holiday Inn-Merchandise Mart in Chicago. For more information and a registration form, check the web site at http://www.nipc.org/environment/slmrwsc/conferences/

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Winter Walk: Enjoy the Wonders of Winter Walk at Giant City State Park, Makanda, on Jan. 22 and again on Feb. 3. Both walks are from 1-2:30 p.m. Join in a moderate one-mile hike and discover the many ways plants and animals adjust to the winter cold. For more information, call 618/457-4836.

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There will be a meeting of the Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory Board on Tuesday, February 8 at 10 a.m. at the Illinois Oil and Gas Association building, 824 E. Highway 15, Mt. Vernon. The meeting is open to the public.

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The 125th meeting of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2005, at Western Illinois University’s Kibbe Station, Alice L. Kibbe Field Station, 545 East County Road 1180, Warsaw, Illinois.

If anyone has reason to address the Board, the Board requests advance notification of such intent and an advance written copy of the matter to be presented. Without an advance copy of such presentations, the Board cannot make on-the-spot evaluations concerning any matter, and will not be able to formally act on that matter during the current meeting.

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