FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2005

NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSBITS

Go Fishing: The 2005 Illinois Free Fishing Days are June 10-13. During Illinois Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish without the need to have a sport fishing license, inland trout stamp or salmon stamp. For information on fishing in Illinois, check the web site at www.ifishillinois.org.

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Dedication Ceremony at Prairie Ridge: The Prairie Ridge State Natural Area will be dedicated as one of 48 Important Bird Areas in Illinois on Saturday, June 4 at 3 p.m. Prairie Ridge is critical habitat for some of the state's most endangered species including the last remaining flocks of prairie chickens. Among the first sites to be designated as Important Bird Areas in the state, Prairie Ridge is at the top of the list in terms of providing critical habitat for the most threatened species. The Important Bird Area program is an international program sponsored in the U.S. by the National Audubon Society. Work began on designating sites in Illinois in 2002. The dedication is being jointly sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Audubon Society. Prairie Ridge was chosen for IBA designation because it provides breeding habitat for ten species of conservation concern, including the prairie chicken, American bittern, King rail, upland sandpiper, northern harrier, short-eared owl, sedge wren, loggerhead shrike, Henslow's sparrow and dickcissel. The public is invited to the IBA dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. on June 4 at the Robert Ridgway Grasslands Nature Preserve, located about six miles south of Newton. Following the ceremony, visitors will be free to enjoy the trail and wetland observation platform, the only public access available within the Jasper County unit of Prairie Ridge State Natural Area. For more information, contact Prairie Ridge SNA at 618/783-2685.

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Set sail with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and discover the state’s great natural resources. Sailboats tack through Lake Michigan on the cover of the June issue of the monthly magazine OutdoorIllinois, and the lead story describes sailing opportunities available on Illinois lakes, reservoirs and the Illinois River. Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area in Fulton County is the featured site, with other stories including a new fishing lake at one central Illinois park, proper disposal of bait fish, the 20th anniversary of the Urban Fishing Program, safe drinking water and an annual national archery tournament at Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. Birders and other observers of nature will enjoy stories on Baltimore orioles, black-crowned night herons and one very persistent bluebird. 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. For information on advertising in OutdoorIllinois, call 217/558-1222 or email cconrad@dnrmail.state.il.us.
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Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program Applications Now Available: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Local Government Grant Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has awarded IDNR approximately $300,000 in federal funds for these grants, which will be distributed to fire fighting agencies as 50-50 matching grants with a maximum award of $12,500 to a fire agency. Grant application packages must be postmarked to IDNR no later than July 15, 2005. Grant awards should be announced in September. Those interested in applying for these funds can obtain a grant application package through the IDNR website or by contacting the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Resource Conservation-VFA Program, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/782-2602.

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The Natural Resources Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, June 23 at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield. The board’s sessions are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For more information, phone 217/785-0075.

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Wingshooting Clinics: The Department of Natural Resources and a variety of participating sponsors are hosting a series of wingshooting clinics for beginners and hunters this spring and summer. At the youth/women’s clinics, Saturday session instruction is available for young wingshooters 10 - 15 years of age. Sunday sessions are for girls and women and are open to all those ages 10 and older. Instructors are certified by the National Sporting Clays Association. All supplies including shotguns and ammunition are provided at youth/women’s clinics. Hunter clinics are designed to enhance the wingshooting skills of hunters ages 16 and older. Hunters with wingshooting skill levels from beginner to advanced are encouraged to attend. A small fee is assessed each hunter clinic participant to cover the cost of clay targets and refreshments. Upcoming Youth/Women’s clinics (and contact phone numbers) include:
June 4-5 - Joker’s Wild Sporting Clay’s (Macoupin County), 217/557-1395
June 11 - Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA (Cass County), 217/452-7741
June 25-26 - Briar Knoll Club (Lee County) - 815/857-2320
June 25-26 - Pioneer Valley Sportsmen’s Assoc./St. Charles Sportsman’s Club (Kane County) - 630/837-6869
Aug. 20-21 - Shabonna Lake State Park (DeKalb County) - 815/758-2773
Upcoming Hunter’s clinics are:
June 4-5 and June 11-12 - Des Plaines Conservation Area (Will County), 217/423-5326
Check the IDNR web site for the complete schedule of wingshooting clinics.

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OutdoorIllinois Photo Contest: Time to enter the sixth annual photo contest for OutdoorIllinois magazine. For information about the contest, deadlines and rules visit the web site at the following address: http://dnr.state.il.us/Photos/index.htm

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Weldon Springs Piatt County Unit Deer Opportunities: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will conduct an archery deer hunt this fall at the Weldon Springs State Park Piatt County Unit, located east of Allerton Park off of Allerton Road. Site permits for the Piatt County Unit will be issued for a total of 12 one-week hunting periods from October 1, 2005 through January 9, 2006. The unit will be closed to archery deer hunting Nov. 12-20 and Nov. 28-Dec. 4 during the weeks of firearm deer season. Archery hunting periods will be filled through a mail-in application random drawing.
Applications are available at Weldon Springs State Park, Mascoutin State Recreation Area at Clinton Lake and the IDNR Region 3 office at Clinton Lake. To qualify for the site permit drawing, applications must be received at the Weldon Springs State Park office by close of business June 30. Successful applicants will be notified by mail by August 1. All hunters will be required to show proof of a current hunting license, state issued archery permit and issued site permit.
New at the Piatt County Unit this year is a requirement that archery hunters must harvest a doe before they will be allowed to harvest an antlered deer. The requirement is intended to help manage the large deer population in and near the site and the Allerton Park area.
For more information on deer hunting opportunities and site regulations at the Weldon Springs Piatt County Unit, contact the Weldon Spring State Park office at 217/935-2644 or IDNR District Wildlife Biologist Carl Handel at 217/423-7708.

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Check the IDNR web site for dates, times and locations of upcoming Illinois safety education programs. Courses this summer are available for boating and hunter safety education. The courses are available for new boaters and hunters, but are also valuable for those with plenty of experience on the water and/or in the field. Check the schedule at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/safety or phone toll-free at 1-800/832-2599.

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ICF Downstate Golf Benefit June 7: A few reservations are still available for the annual Illinois Conservation Foundation Downstate Golf Benefit on Tuesday, June 7 at the Rail Golf Club in Sherman, just north of Springfield. The golf benefit proceeds support youth hunting, fishing and other educational programs throughout Illinois. The registration fee of $150 per golfer (or $500 per foursome) includes greens fees and cart, lunch, dinner, beverages, prizes and awards. Hole sponsorships are available for $500 each. For more information or to register, call 217/785-7181. To register online, check the Illinois Conservation Foundation web site at www.ilcf.org.

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Early Illinois: The June archeology lecture at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield focuses on 17th century Illinois. Early Views of Illinois by Dr. Robert Warren, Curator of Anthropology at the Illinois State Museum, will be part of the Paul F. Mickey Monthly Archaeology Lecture Series on June 8 at 7 p.m. at the museum at Spring and Edwards in downtown Springfield. The program is free and open to the public. It is geared to high school students and adults. For more information, phone 217/782-0061.

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The first annual PFC Geoffrey Morris Memorial Governor’s Cup Fishing Invitational on Lake Michigan off Waukegan is scheduled for 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. For more information on registration, prizes, rules and a tournament schedule, check the web site at www.gsmtournament.com.

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Nominations are now being accepted by the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the 2006 class of the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made significant commitments to natural resource protection and outdoor recreation in Illinois.
Nominees should include those outdoor sportsmen and women who truly have made significant contributions or exhibited unparalleled dedication in preserving, promoting, enhancing or supporting natural resources or outdoor recreational opportunities in Illinois.
All nominations must be submitted on an official nomination form. Forms are now available and completed nominations should be submitted no later than July 1. Forms may be obtained by contacting Kathy Wheeler, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-2003. Forms are also available on the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.
The inductees selected for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame will be announced this summer and will be honored at the annual Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet next March. The Illinois Conservation Foundation is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization which has raised more than $20 million in support of programs and projects of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources since 1995.

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June Gift Spree: Discover hand-crafted gifts for graduates, a summer wedding or for Father’s Day at the Illinois Artisans Shop June Gift Spree in the atrium of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, June 15-16, 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Select members of the Illinois Artisans Program will display and sell a broad selection of one-of-a-kind items that would make treasured gifts. Fourteen artisans will present original beaded jewelry, sterling silver jewelry, fiber, wood sculpture, handmade etchings and lithographs, ceramic tiles, hand-carved wooden walking sticks, hand-blown, hand-painted glass, leather goods, and silk painting on neckties and eyeglass cases. As a special feature, Dale Sinderson will present his humorous wood constructions. Sinderson focuses on our American society and likes to gently poke fun at human nature with constructed wood tableaus of small town life. Sinderson creates relief wood figures that portray the average, middle-aged guy.

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Featured Artisans: The baskets of Andrea Previtali and Lázaro Guiñazú will be featured in the Illinois Artisans Shop at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 2-200, Chicago, 30, 2005 throughout the month of June. Previtali and Guiñazú work as a husband and wife team to create colorful, functional baskets from recycled newspaper. For more information, phone 312/814-5321.

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Tree Care: In search of a strong structure and a desirable form for your tree? If so, prune trees when they are young. This will result in less need for corrective pruning as they mature. In fact, with a basic understanding of tree biology, homeowners can properly prune young trees, maintain tree health and structure, and enhance the aesthetic and economic values of their landscape, according to the International Society of Arboriculture. The ISA, headquartered in Champaign, is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. For more information, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist or visit www.isa-arbor.com

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The IDNR scenic overlook improvement project at Castle Rock State Park near Oregon in Ogle County has been selected as one of the American Public Works Association’s Public Works Projects of the Year for 2005. The award will be presented Sept. 12 at the International Public Works Congress and Exposition in Minneapolis. The project was completed in 2003 and had previously been recognized as the American Public Works Association Illinois Project of the Year for 2004. The scenic overlook at Castle Rock provides an expansive view of the Rock River valley and the neighboring Lowden State Forest. After years of weathering and visitor traffic, the boardwalk and platforms leading from the parking area to the sandstone overlook had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. The project involved replacement of the boardwalk, overlook platform, expansion of the parking and access area and reconfiguration of the access off of Illinois Route 2. Minimal disturbance of the rock formations and trees during construction was a requirement of the contract. Due to the steep elevation and drop offs near the top of Castle Rock, materials for the boardwalk were lifted into the site by helicopter. The boardwalk was built with lumber treated with an alternative chemical known as ACQ that has no known health hazards. Construction was timed from the late fall of 2002 until early spring 2003 to minimize disruption to park visitors. The boardwalk was rerouted to improve scenic visibility for visitors. Decorative wire fencing , wood polymer railings and aluminum stair treads were installed on the boardwalk to improve safety. Concrete footings were designed and installed to reduce damage to the sandstone. Retaining walls were used to protect trees near the path and provide seating for visitors. The capital improvement project was designed by RJN Group of Wheaton with RJC Constructors of Peoria as primary contractor.

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High School Photography Exhibit: Thirty-two student photographers from Lockport Township High School are showing black and white and color digital images - part of an exhibition entitled A Disappearing View: Family Farms in Will County at the Gaylord Building in Lockport. The exhibition has been organized by the Canal Corridor Association and the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery in coordination with the Lockport Township High School Fine Arts Department. It was planned in conjunction with the Lockport Gallery's current exhibition A Family Farm Album: The Photographs of Frank Sadorus. The images are the result of a trip organized by the Lockport Gallery in April when students visited the Sadorus exhibition and then traveled to two local farms to document agricultural practices and the state of the family farm in the region. The Gaylord Building is a National Trust Historic Site managed by the Canal Corridor Association and is located at 200 West 8th Street in Lockport. The exhibition will be available for viewing Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. through August 19. Call 815/588-1100 for more information. A Family Farm Album: The Photographs of Frank Sadorus continues at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery through August 19. The museum is located at 201 West 10th Street in Lockport and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m. Contact gallery staff at 815/838-7400 for more information.

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2005-2006 ENTICE Workshops Scheduled: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Education is sponsoring 19 educator workshops through the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program for 2005-2006. These free workshops offer Continuing Professional Development Units for teachers. Visit http://dnr.state.il.us/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 regarding the status of their registration. Contact the IDNR Division of Education at teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us or 217-524-4126 for more information.

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New IDNR List Server: Educators throughout Illinois now have the opportunity to obtain instant notification about new products, scheduled workshops and many other events and items from the IDNR Division of Education electronic list server. Educators will receive email messages when new materials, such as posters and activity books, are available. To join the list, send an email with the text "subscribe education Your Name" in the body of the message to the address imailsrv@idnrteachkids.com. For example, "subscribe education May Apple" would be what you enter if your name is May Apple. You may leave the list at any time by sending an email containing the text "unsubscribe education" to the address imailsrv@idnrteachkids.com. There is no charge to participate. Should you have any problems subscribing, please email teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us.

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Astronomy Programs: Nature’s Nightlights - Summer Astronomy Viewings - June 11, July 9 and August 6, 8:30 p.m.-10 p.m. at Giant City State Park. Join the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois for exciting explorations of the night sky. Highlights will include the moon, Venus and Jupiter. For your comfort, bring a reclining lawn chair or blanket. All astronomy programs are weather-permitting. Meet at the Giant City Visitors Center parking lot, 235 Giant City Road, Makanda. For more information, phone 618/457-4836.

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Family Fishing Fair: Take part in the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair on Sat., June 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton in Jersey County. The event features fishing stories and lessons, outdoor education activities, trout and bluegill ponds, and a 5,000-gallon aquarium. The event in sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information, phone 618/786-3323.

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