NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

WILDLIFE PRESERVATION GRANT APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 1: Applications are still being accepted for the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Grant Program administered by 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 can 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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Road Closure at Spring Lake: Due to a levee stabilization construction project at Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Tazewell County, the first mile the of South Lake Levee Road (State Park Road) at the site is closed at the junction with Causeway Road (Spring Lake Road). The remainder of Spring Lake Levee Road remains open for public access. In addition, site visitors will be directed by signs to use Woodley Road as an alternate access to the site. The levee stabilization project at Spring Lake is expected to be completed this summer. The project will help eliminate sloughing of the road surface, which has allowed water and ice to accumulate on the roadway. For more information, contact the Spring Lake site office at 309/968-7135.

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Lockport Gallery Program and Exhibition: Opening March 19 at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery is “A Family Farm Album: The Photographs of Frank Sadorus (1880-1934),” reflecting the life and times of self-taught photographer Frank Sadorus. From 1907-1917, Sadorus used his large-format view camera to capture life, work and the land on his family’s farm. The museum will present an “Artist to Artist” program at 10:30 a.m. on March 19 in the main gallery focusing on how Sadorus’s work came to be known by the general public. The event is free and open to the public. 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-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 815/838-7400.

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Giant City Programs: A number of spring interpretive programs are planned at Giant City State Park, Makanda. The Spring Woodland Wildflower Preview slide show is Sat., March 19 from 10-11 a.m. A program on Giant City’s Stonefort is Sat., March 26 from 10-11 a.m. The program includes a rugged 1/3 mile hike. The Wandering Among the Woodland Wildflowers programs at Giant City are from 10 a.m.-noon on April 9, 16, 23 and 30. The two-hour discovery tours on rugged woodland trails at the park are among Giant City’s most popular programs. For more information on the programs, call 618/457-4836.

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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will conduct a public hearing on proposed changes to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 670, White-Tailed Deer Hunting By Use of Bow and Arrow, on March 25 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be conducted in the Artisans Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The public may submit comments on the proposed regulations through April 11 to Jack Price, IDNR Office of Legal Counsel, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. The proposal is available for review on the Department’s web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/rule-status.htm

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ICF Grant Program Applications Due By March 31: Grant funds are available through the Illinois Conservation Foundation for not-for-profit groups, organizations, and schools to assist them with habitat enhancement, environmental education and recreation projects. The deadline to apply for the ICF Grant Program is March 31. Individual matching grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded. An application form is available on the Foundation's web site at www.ilcf.org. Grant awards will be announced in August. For more information on the ICF Grant Program, contact the Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271,or phone 217/785-2003.

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Archery Deer Hunt Site Permit Drawings Planned: Drawings will be conducted April 1 to allocate a limited number of archery deer hunting site permits for use at Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County, Horseshoe Lake State Park in Madison County and Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County. Site permit applications are available at each park’s web page on the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us. Permit applications may also be obtained by contacting the site offices. Applications will be accepted through the close of business on March 31 with drawings at each site office to be conducted on April 1 at 10 a.m. Hunting areas and dates at each site will be allocated by random drawing. Successful applicants will be notified by mail following the April 1 drawings. (If non-residents are drawn, they will be sent a letter requesting verification that they have a non-resident permit within two weeks of non-resident archery permits being made available). Season dates at each site are as follows:

Beaver Dam SP: Oct.. 10-16; Oct. 17-23; Oct. 24-30; Oct. 31-Nov. 6; Nov. 7-13; Nov. 21-27; Dec. 5-11; and, Dec. 12-18.
Horseshoe Lake SP (Madison Co.): Oct. 1-7; Oct. 8-14; Oct. 15-21; Oct. 22-28; Oct. 29-Nov. 4; Nov. 5-11; Nov. 12-18; and, Nov. 19-25
Pere Marquette SP: Oct. 31-Nov. 5; Nov. 6-Nov. 11; and, Nov. 12-17.

For site information, contact the park offices listed below:

Beaver Dam SP - 217/854-80-20 (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Horseshoe Lake SP (Madison Co.) - 618/931-0270 ( Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Pere Marquette SP - 618/786-3323 (Visitor Center open daily 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m)

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State Sites Open for Youth Turkey Hunt: Regulations and open state sites have been announced for the 2005 Resident Spring Youth Wild Turkey Hunt. Permits were issued previously for the youth hunt. The South Zone Youth Turkey Hunt is March 26-27. The North Zone Youth Turkey Hunt is April 2-3. Illinois youth who have not reached their 16th birthday by the start of the Spring Turkey Hunt may hunt with a shotgun or bow and arrow. The youth must have completed a Department-approved Hunter Education Course and have a hunting license. The youth is required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian who possesses a FOID card. The adult is not allowed to hunt but may accompany the youth as a caller.
The following sites will be open to holders of a valid Youth Turkey Hunt Permit for the county in which the site is located. Persons wishing to hunt one of the listed sites should contact that site prior to hunting for information about site regulations and restrictions:

South Zone (March 26-27):
Kaskaskia River SFWA, Baldwin 618/785-2533
Turkey Bluffs SFWA, Chester 618/826-2706
Cache River SNA, Belknap 618/634-9678
Crawford County SFWA, Hutsonville 618/563-4405
Ferne Clyffe SP (Cedar Draper HA, I-24 WMA, Cypress Pond and Deer Pond), Goreville 618/995-2411
Sielbeck Forest, Metropolis 618/524-4712
Giant City SP, Makada 618/457-4836
Horseshoe Lake SFWA (Alexander County), Miller City 618/776-5689
Kinkaid Lake SFWA, Murphysboro 618/684-2867
Mermet Lake SFWA, Belknap 618/524-5577
Newton Lake SFWA, Newton 618/783-3478
Pyramid SP including East Conant unit, Pinckneyville 618/357-2574
Rend Lake SFWA, Bonnie 618/279-3110
Sam Parr SFWA, Newton 618/783-2661
Trail of Tears SF, Jonesboro 618/833-4910
Union County SFWA, 618-833/5715
 

North Zone (April 2-3):
Anderson Lake SFWA, Astoria 309/759-4484
Apple River Canyon SP (Thompson and Salem units, Falling Down Prairie(Rall Woods), Hanover Bluff and Witkowsky SFWA), Apple River 815/745-3302
Argyle Lake SP, Colchester 309/776-3422
Big Bend SFWA, Prophetstown 815/537-2926
Big River SF, Oquawka 309/374-2496
Castle Rock State Park, Oregon 815/732-7329
Green River SWA, Harmon 815/379-2324
Mackinaw River SFWA, Mackinaw 309/963-4969
Spoon River SF, Victoria 309/879-2607
Kankakee River SP and Momence Wetlands, Bourbonnais 815/933-1383
Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA, Chandlerville 217/452-7741
Mississippi River SFWA (Pools 25 and 26), Grafton 618/376-3303
Mississippi River Pools 21, 22 and 24, Pittsfield 217/285-2221
Nauvoo SP (Max Rowe unit only), Nauvoo 217/453-2512
Pere Marquette State Park (open area only, south of Graham Hollow Road), Grafton 618/786-3323
Ray Norbut SFWA, Griggsville 217/833-2811
Sangchris Lake SRA, Rochester 217/498-9208
Siloam Springs SP including Buckhorn unit, Clayton 217/894-6205
Turkey Bluffs, Chester 618/826-2706
Weinberg King SP including Cecil White, Markert and Scripps units, Augusta 217/392-2345

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Registration remains open for the first event in the 2005 State of Illinois Crappie Circuit on March 26 at Kinkaid Lake in southern Illinois. The deadline to register for the first tournament is Monday, March 21. Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and the Illinois Conservation Foundation, the State of Illinois Crappie Circuit series will culminate with the Illinois State Championship on June 4-5. The series is a team fishing event with teams consisting of three members, two of whom can fish any tournament. The tournaments are limited to 100 boats. The tournament schedule includes Kincaid Lake on March 26, Rend Lake on April 16, Chain O’Lakes on May 7 and the Quad Cities on May 21. Winners and top qualifiers will advance to the Illinois State Championship on June 4-5. The entry fee for each tournament is $100 per boat. To register or for more information, contact Gary Watson at 217/782-9990 or go to the link and print out a registration form on the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/events/announce.htm

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HUNTER WINGSHOOTING CLINICS AT JIM EDGAR PANTHER CREEK: Reservations are available for Illinois Department of Natural Resources wingshooting clinics for hunters at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass County on April 9-10. Sportsmen and sportswomen ages 16 and older interested in improving their wingshooting skills are encouraged to register and attend. Four-hour sessions are scheduled for the morning and afternoon both days, with each session limited to 24 participants. The clinics will be taught by National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) certified wingshooting instructors, each working with a squad of four hunters of similar skills. Hunters with wingshooting skills from beginner to advanced are welcome. The clinics will include instruction on range safety and shotgun handling, followed by extensive live fire at a variety of clay target presentations. The cost of the clinics is $25 per person. Advance registration is required. For more information, call the site office at Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA at 217/452-7741.

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Registration is open for the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s 5th annual Governor's Cup Shooting Challenge scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 29-30 at Faller's Sporting Clays, located west of Butler in Montgomery County. Shooters will compete for the Illinois Governor's Cup title and cash prizes, including a guaranteed $750 for high overall (HOA) in this NSCA-registered classified shoot. The competition also includes an exciting "Hunter Class" with cash prizes for Lewis Class winners. For more information and registration, contact IDNR Special Events by calling 217/557-1395. Proceeds benefit the IDNR and Illinois Conservation Foundation youth shooting programs.

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FREE FISHING DAYS 2005: Anglers always look forward to the new fishing season - and to Illinois Free Fishing Days, scheduled this year for June 10-13. Many organizations use the four-day promotion of sportfishing in Illinois to conduct fishing derbies and other special events. Organizations interested in receiving educational and promotional materials to be used as part of a Free Fishing Days event, or for more information, can contact Gary Watson, IDNR Free Fishing Days event coordinator, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/782-9990.
Free Fishing Days provides anglers with the opportunity to fish without first purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp. Free Fishing Days is co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Plano Molding Co., the world’s largest manufacturer of fishing tackle boxes.

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ENTICE Workshop Registrations Still Open: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program is offering a series of free workshops for teachers in the coming weeks. These workshops provide natural resources information, supplemental educational materials and Continuing Professional Development Units. A description of each workshop and registration information may be accessed by visiting http://dnr.state.il.us then clicking on the "Education" button in the right side bar. Call 217/524-4127 for more information.

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Splash Into the Rain Check Network: The Illinois State Water Survey sponsors a rain gauge project for schools. The Rain Check Network program will provide teachers with a rain gauge and instructions to initiate the project. Students are asked to measure rainfall every day at about the same time. Student data is posted at the ISWS Rain Check web site at http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/hilites/stfair/raingage/. An extensive listing of online resources for weather, climate, educational links and agencies is available. For more information, contact the Illinois State Water Survey at 217/333-5902.

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New Online Course for Graduate Credit Offered by IDNR and UIS: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Education and the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) are presenting the first in a series of online courses. "EDL 560: Introduction to Illinois' Natural Resources for Teachers" is the examination, research and practical application of Illinois natural resources information with the goals of understanding location, composition, utilization, conservation and issues. To be eligible to register, students must first contact UIS admissions at 1-888-977-4847. Once students have been admitted to UIS, they may contact Kim Kubatzke at 217/206-7516 or kubatzke.kim@uis.edu to get permission to register for EDL 560. Classes will begin on Monday, June 6. The summer session ends on Saturday, July 30.

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Illinois artisans are invited to submit applications for the Illinois Artisans Program, a program of the Illinois State Museum. Begun in 1985, the program promotes the work of artisans living in Illinois through exhibitions and activities. All areas of original art and craft are eligible including folk, traditional, contemporary, ethnic and fine art forms. Artists are required to submit the program application, 6-10 slides, an artist’s statement and one-page resume, a self-addressed stamped envelope and a $20 application fee. Deadline for submission is March 28, 2005. Artists selected will be notified by letter in April. For more information and an application form, call 312/814-1794.

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The Illinois Artisans Shop in Chicago is exhibiting the work of blacksmith Roberta Elliott through March 31. The shop is located at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 2-200, Chicago. Elliott is a blacksmith who produces work at her studio in Cobden, Illinois. Elliott’s work is both decorative and functional. She works primarily with mild steel, forging table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces and music stands.

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The Illinois Artisans Shop will host an exhibit of hand-carved birds by Illinois artisans working in wood, at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 2-200, Chicago, April 1-29. The exhibit will feature the work of woodcarvers Richard Kowal of Chicago, William Larke of Peoria, and Mike and Nancy Scherer of Sparland. These artisans are all bird-watchers, have a keen sense of observation, and will offer their unique take on bird life in this exhibit.

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Join the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the 2nd annual Director’s Team Challenge shooting event to benefit ICF youth shooting sports programs. The Director's Team Challenge is scheduled for May 13-14 at the Bi-State Sportsmens Association in Colona, Illinois. The five-shooter team event is $100 per shooter and includes registration for the Director’s Team Challenge event on Saturday, plus one free round of trap shooting and 5-stand on Friday. For more information or to register, call the ICF at 217/785-2003 or register through the web site at www.ilcf.org

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Mark your calendar for the first annual PFC Geoffrey Morris Memorial Governor’s Cup Fishing Invitational to be held in the Lake Michigan waters off Waukegan on June 17-18. The salmon and trout tournament proceeds will benefit the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. The tournament will be held in honor of Geoff Morris, a U.S. Marine from Gurnee who gave his life in combat in April 2004. The entry fee is $550 and is tax deductible. Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will present the winners with their awards at a banquet hosted by the City of Waukegan immediately following the tournament on Sat., June 18. For more information on registration, prizes, rules and a tournament schedule, check the web site at www.gsmtournament.com.

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