O U R   N A T U R A L   R E S O U R C E S

Hibernating. That's what many of us have been doing during the cold snow- and ice-filled winter months. But now, as springtime approaches, we can turn our thoughts to warm-weather activities, family outings and new destinations.

It you are looking for a unique place to visit, you'll need not travel to far away places or distant lands. Right here in Illinois, you and your family can experience the thrill of over-nighting in a renovated caboose, a log cabin, a building that resembles a stable or one of several converted grain bins. And during the day, you can explore 1,500-plus acres west of Peoria that are home to bison (also known as American buffalo), elk, black bear, wolves, waterfowl, cougar, otter and an array of birds and reptiles.

Wildlife Prairie State Park is one of the state's most recent acquisitions—a gift from the Forest Park Foundation that was made possible by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. William Rutherford and family of Peoria. The deed to the property was turned over to the state in August 2000, a few days after Mrs. Rutherford's sudden death.

Married for 62 years, William and Hazel Rutherford's dream was to develop this property to showcase the plants and animals from pioneer times, to draw attention to the oftentimes overlooked

An outdoor adventure lies beyond the entrance to Wildlife Prarie State Park, which is home to a variety of plant and animal species dating back to pioneer times.

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OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Pictured with a mountain lion in this 1986 photo is William Rutherford who, with his family, deeded the Wildlife Prarie Park to the state of Illinois in August of 2000.

beauty of Illinois and to educate visitors about conservation, wildlife and other resources. The couple's families had established the Forest Park Foundation in 1939, and over the years, had acquired 20,000 acres in the Peoria area for riverfront access, parks and open space. The development of 2,000 acres of their holdings as Wildlife Prairie Park became the focus of the Foundation in the 1970s, and with the assistance of many others who shared the cause, more than $24 million was devoted to the project during the following years.

"The most meaningful experience has been the thoughtfulness of the people who came to us and offered to help," Rutherford said. "It's very touching to know that people are hungry for something they can believe in and trust.... And when you see a blind couple sit and listen to the sounds of nature or watch the children, you know it has all been worthwhile."

Although the land now belongs to the people of Illinois, the Foundation maintains responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the park and its facilities and adheres to state guidelines and regulations. The park is officially open this year from March 13 through Dec. 12, although arrangements for accommodations can be made year-round. A general admission fee is charged.

	Photo at left: Some of the buildings at the park offer expansive views of the land that serves as habitat for the wildlife. (Wildlife Prairie Park file photo) Below: The Merrill Woods Loop provides an opportunity to view bears, as well as cougars, bobcats, coyotes and foxes, it is one of many trails at the site.

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Four renovated cabooses with modern conveniences each comfortably sleep four people and are available as overnight lodging facilities from April through October

Among the attractions at the park is a one room schoolhouse that offers a glimpse of classroom life when one teacher taught a full room of students at different grade levels.

One of the main purposes of the park is to educate visitors about species of widlife, such as this great horned owl.

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Families can stroll through the park on designated paths and walkways that wind through lush forests. Another way to explore the Wildlife Prairie State Park is aboard the park's train.

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Facilities

Wildlife Prairie State Park is enhanced by a variety of attractive buildings that house the visitor center, nature center, educational facilities, a restaurant operated by Heart of America Restaurants and Inns, meeting and reception rooms, banquet facilities, a family activity room, a gift shop, a country store, an amphitheater, an auditorium, snack shops and a selection of unique lodging accommodations.

Lodging rates vary from a weekday charge of $60 for a night in one of the park's four converted cabooses to $90 for the log cabin on the hill. Room rates are based on double occupancy, and each additional person is $10 per night. Children three and under stay free. Weekend and weekly rates also are available.

Two rooms in renovated grain bins are equipped for individuals with special needs, as is one in the stable and one adjoining the machine shed. In fact, the room adjacent to the machine shed takes adverse weather conditions into consideration. A person actually can park a vehicle in the machine shed and access the room via a hallway that protects the traveler from inclement weather.

A train depot near the ticket gate allows visitors to climb aboard a narrow-gauge train for a ride through the park. A nominal fee of $l per person is charged. Playground equipment and picnic areas are provided, along with free parking.

Educational Programs

The park offers a series of ongoing programs such as Knee-High Naturalists, Junior Explorers, Night in the Wild, Starlight Walks and Day Camp for Kids. Its calendar of events is filled with educational programs and activities. Most require pre-registration and charge nominal fees. More information is available by calling 309.676.0998.

ENTICE

Wildlife Prairie State Park is also the site for DNR's ENTICE program. ENTICE, the Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education, premiered in July 2000 at the park, and more than 130 educators from throughout the state benefitted from the initiative.

ENTICE is a pilot teacher training program that focuses on incorporating long-term, standards- based natural resource education into Illinois classrooms to help youth discover their environment. The park was selected as the perfect site due to its spectacular natural settings, butterfly garden, wildflowers, lakes, restored prairie and Illinois native animals. For more information about ENTICE, visit its Web site at www.illinoisentice.org. •

LIZ PENSONEAU
is the managing editor of OutdoorIllinois, a publication of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This article is reprinted with permission from the March 2000 issue of OutdoorIllinois.

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OUR NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS BRIEF

Gov. George H. Ryan announced proposed changes to an agreement governing Great Lakes water use as the next step forward in protecting the Great Lakes.

"It is important that the Great Lakes states and the governments of Ontario and Quebec have the tools necessary to ensure Great Lakes water is used wisely to benefit all citizens," said Ryan, a member of the Council of Great Lakes Governors.

Illinoisans had until February 28 to review and comment on the council's Annex 2001, a proposed amendment to the Great Lakes Charter of 1985, which would update the regional water management system for the Great Lakes in order to protect, conserve, restore and improve the water and water-dependent natural resources of the Great Lakes Basin. The Annex 2001 is under discussion among the governments of Ontario and Quebec.

Under the proposal, the Great Lakes governors and the premiers of Ontario and Quebec would:

• Forge a new binding agreement to manage the Great Lakes waters;

• Create a new standard requiring an improvement to the water and water-dependent natural resources of the Great Lakes before allowing new or increased water withdrawals;

• Implement the new standard for interim decisions under the U.S. Water Resources Development Act (WRDA);

• Obtain better information so water is managed rationally and;

• Include the premiers in reviewing and consulting on all new proposed diversions subject to the WRDA by lowering the trigger level for diversions under the charter.

Illinois is the only Great Lakes state with a significant diversion of water out of the Great Lakes basin. Illinois' diversion is the water supply for more than 6.3 million northeastern Illinois residents and provides a direct connection between the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway and the Illinois and Mississippi Waterway. The U.S. Supreme Court retains jurisdiction over Illinois' diversion, and the allocation of water from Lake Michigan is the responsibility of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. As a preexisting diversion, Illinois' continued use of water from Lake Michigan is not subject to the new requirements of the proposed Annex 2001 or the follow-up binding agreement.

In 1985, the governors and the premiers of the Great Lakes states and provinces signed the Great Lakes Charter to guide them in the wise use and management of the Great Lakes water resource. Under the current charter, the governors and premiers of Ontario and Quebec notify and consult with each other on proposals for diversions and consumptive uses of waters within their Great Lakes Basin of more than five million gallons (19 million liters) per day. The charter contains a set of management principles for use by all; however, it is a non-binding agreement.

In 1998, a proposal to export bulk quantities of Lake Superior water to the Far East caused state, provincial and both federal governments to re-examine the strength and adequacy of the legal foundation upon which Great Lakes water management authorities exist. This re-examination showed that a new binding agreement was needed between the states and provinces to properly manage the Great Lakes water resource.

Annex 2001, which is an amendment to the 1985 Great Lakes Charter, provides interim guidance for the management and use of Great Lakes water while the formal binding agreements are being prepared.

Following the public comment period in February, the governors— in consultation with the premiers—will review the comments and make changes before releasing the final Annex 2001. They will begin developing a set of more binding agreements as agreed to in the annex.

The Council of Great Lakes Governors is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of governors of the Great Lakes states: Illinois (George H. Ryan); Indiana (Frank O'Bannon); Michigan (John Engler); Minnesota (Jesse Ventura); New York (George E. Pataki); Ohio (Bob Taft); Pennsylvania (Tom Ridge); and Wisconsin (Tommy G. Thompson). Through the council, the governors collectively tackle the environmental and economic challenges facing citizens of the region. •

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