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A Firm Foundation DNR's neediest programs find a new funding source in the Illinois Conservation Foundation. BY JOHN ALLEN What do wild turkeys, wetlands, young fishermen, disabled hunters, food pantries, bats, otters, forests and the Hennepin Canal have in common? You're right if you said that all have been recipients of support from the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Established in 1994 by the Illinois General Assembly as a result of a recommendation from the first Conservation Congress, the Foundation to date has raised more than $7.8 million to support programs and projects of the Department of Natural Resources. In fact, the ICF Mission Statement says, "The role of the Illinois Conservation Foundation and its partners is to preserve and enhance our natural resources by supporting and fostering ecological, educational and recreational programs for the benefit of all people now and for generations to come."
"The Foundation helps match donors with needy projects of the DNR," said John Schmitt, ICF executive director. "If you're interested in supporting youth fishing or hunting, an endangered prairie or your favorite state park, we can find a way to channel your donation to that specific need." The Foundation's accomplishments have impacted just about every division in the Department. Following is a sampling of the many programs that have been helped. Fisheries A fish rearing pond was built at Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area using a $75,000 donation from Marathon Oil. Fish are stocked annually into the Hennepin Canal in memory of Chris Harris using a donation for that purpose by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Harris of Park Ridge. An 800-foot man-made reef was placed into Lake Michigan for smallmouth bass habitat using granite donated by Bechstein Construction of Tinley Park and J.T. Einoder of Orland Park, plus $20,000 raised from private donors. Wildlife The Foundation raised almost $27,000 to purchase 67 animals for Illinois' otter restoration program. 2 OutdoorIlinois
Students from Rogers Elementary School in Pekin contributed $1,000 toward the otter program, $1,100 to buy habitat for the state-endangered mud turtle and $1,260 to help protect a colony of endangered Indiana bats in Pope County. All-terrain vehicles were purchased for Division of Wildlife Resources staff using funds donated by the Illinois Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. An endowment fund has been set up to support the Frank C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center. The goal is to raise $2 million for the center's research on waterfowl migration and on sedimentation and its effect on water resources. Forestry Commonwealth Edison, Illinois Power and A. Finkl & Sons contribute annually for tree plantings to offset their industrial carbon dioxide emissions, resulting in more than six million trees planted to date. Heartwood Creations donated $12,000 for plantings to replace trees they use in making wood boxes. Land Management Illinois Power contributed $100,000 toward capital improvements at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area. The Illinois Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has pledged $200,000 over 10 years to finance land purchases, with the acquisition of 960 acres in JoDaviess County and 175 acres in Effingham County already resulting from the agreement. Wal-Mart donated $5,800 to build a wetland education area at Sam Dale Lake State Park. Morrison-Rockwood State Park will benefit from a $5,851 bequest from the estate of Mary Olive Bixby. CorLands has contributed $50,000 for a 31-acre addition to Volo Bog State Natural Area and $9,500 to buy the 7.6-acre Hitts Siding Prairie in Will County. The Mississippi Flyway Chapter of Waterfowl USA donated $11,000 to help buy nearly 40 acres of Millard Marsh in Whiteside County. Natural Heritage CorLands contributed $18,000 for the rehabilitation of the 162-acre Turner Lake Wetland at Chain O'Lakes State Park. Ten acres were added to Red Wing Slough in Lake County using $200,000 received from the Illinois Attorney General's office. Education A permanent $75,000 endowment from ICF board member Jack Jadel and his late wife, Mim, funds the Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program that enables schools, nature centers and youth groups to develop outdoor classrooms for monitoring plants and wildlife. A $10,000 contribution from the Chicago Chapter of Safari Club International purchased a trailer used to transport the Hunter Interactive Training System (HITS) to fairs and convention centers around the state. Utilizing a variety of sources, the Foundation funds "Under Illinois Skies: A Camping Experience for Chicago Youth," a partnership with the Chicago Park District in which urban youngsters camp, hike, fish, boat and learn about wildlife and plants at Kankakee River State Park during the summer months. Each year, a $500 scholarship is awarded to a Southern Illinois University graduate student conducting research on state endangered species in memory of Todd Fink, a DNR biologist and ornithologist who died in 1995 at the age of 36. Special Events The Illinois Chapter of Safari Club International has provided funds to support the annual Youth Goose Hunt program. Players Riverboat Casino helped support the annual Ft. Massac Encampment with a $10,000 donation. The ICF and the Illinois Chapter of the Safari Club International co-sponsored last year's Mid-America Waterfowl Expo in Peoria, with proceeds supporting the Bellrose Research Center. August 2000 3 Law Enforcement A $50,000 donation from American River Transportation Co. was used to equip the Conservation Police Search and Rescue Squad at Starved Rock State Park. Other Programs The Foundation coordinates the fund-raising for the Department's Sportsmen Against Hunger program, in which deer hunters donate excess venison to food banks that assist the less fortunate. Since the DNR began administering the program in 1994, nearly 70,000 pounds of meat have been donated. The Foundation has taken a leading role in funding the Department's new Disabled Outdoor Opportunities program, recently announcing that $15,000 was donated by the Purple Heart Veterans organization for the purchase of special ATV carts to transport disabled hunters to the field. "The list of DNR programs the Illinois Conservation Foundation is involved in is impressive," said DNR Director Brent Manning, who is also chairman of the Foundation's 13-member Board of Directors. "We're fortunate to have this resource because it gives corporations and private individuals an opportunity to support the Department in ways that were previously difficult or impossible. Before we had the Foundation, we lacked a mechanism for private funding of specific programs or projects." Fund-raising is the primary focus of the ICF, which has a variety of ways for people to give. Because the Foundation is an IRS 501 (c)(3) organization, all donations made to it are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
"I urge donors to think creatively in their methods of giving to the ICF," Schmitt said. "We offer a host of alternatives, from assistance with estate planning options to acceptance of unique items. We even took a gift of over 5,000 tons of granite." Indeed, there are any number of ways to contribute. These include endowments, work-place payroll deductions, giving through an estate plan, memorial gifts, cash, land and equipment. The ICF also receives a portion of the proceeds from each use of its VISA credit card issued by First USA Bank, and sells merchandise such as T-shirts and caps. Each year, the ICF hosts golf outings in Springfield and Chicago, events that have raised more than $100,000 for various DNR youth and special events programs since they began six years ago. There is also an annual Lake Michigan Fishing Tournament, which raises about $25,000 per year for youth and fishing programs. Other annual fund-raisers include the Director's Muskie Tournament on Lake Shelbyville, the Celebrity Quail Hunt at Rend Lake, the International Goose Calling Contest and Waterfowl Hunt in Carterville and the Illinois Sportsmen's Legislative Caucus annual auction. Proceeds from these fundraisers support DNR's special event programs, including those for youth and people with disabilities. The Foundation has also raised money with one-time events such as a raffle in which a truck, boat, motor and boat trailer were given away. With a staff of only five including Schmitt, the ICF relies heavily on volunteer help from others. "The Foundation could never do all we do without the help of volunteers, from the many conservation organizations to the employees of the DNR who help with special event activities," Schmitt said. "Let me say 'thank you' again to all the volunteers."
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