NewsFront

Foundation receives grant to aid teachers

The Illinois Conservation Foundation has received a $25,000 grant from the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation to assist in sponsoring field trips for students of teachers who have completed DNR's ENTICE Educational Training Program. The very successful ENTICE—Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education—trained 132 teachers last summer and has a waiting list of nearly 900 teachers for next summer's program. The goal of the program is to incorporate long-term, standards-based, natural resource education into Illinois classrooms.

Illinoisans can vote for a national tree

The United States has a national emblem, the bald eagle; a national anthem, the "Star Spangled Banner;" a national motto, "In God We Trust;" a national flower, the rose; even a national march, "Stars and Stripes Forever." But a national tree has not yet been designated.

You can vote for America's National Tree through the National Arbor Day Foundation's web site at www.arborday.org. People without Internet access can mail their vote by April 1 to America's National Tree, The National Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, Neb. 68410. Include your name and address on a 3" x 5" card and the tree of your choice. The results of the vote will be announced on National Arbor Day, the last Friday in April.

Wolf Road Prairie buffer acquired

Gov. George H. Ryan recently announced the acquisition of 16 acres of critical buffer lands for Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester, the largest and highest-quality black soil prairie remaining in Illinois, and east of the Mississippi River.

"Wolf Road Prairie is one of the best examples of original prairie in the Midwest. Original prairielands are disappearing in Illinois. More than 99 percent of them are gone," the Governor said. "We must do what we can to preserve what little remains."

The state paid $4.5 million for the property with Open Land Trust and Natural Areas Acquisition funds, dollars intended to preserve open space. The acquisition increases the size of the protected area to about 104 acres, nearly 70 acres of which are dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve.

Wolf Road Prairie contains several natural communities, including mesic prairie, marsh and savanna and is home to more than 400 plant species. The recently acquired buffer area, on the prairie's western edge will help protect the preserve from neighboring development and further protect the watershed in which the prairie is located.

The prairie is owned by the Department of Natural Resources, the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the Save the Prairie Society.

Winter avian visitors The Alton Pool of the Mississippi River played host to a rare visitor this winter. A smew, a European/Asian species of merganser, spent several weeks visiting with other diving ducks that congregate in the pool during the winter months. The white-and black-colored bird was cause for hundreds of dedicated birders to trek to the area for a glimpse of the visitor, and was a rare bonus for the thousands of people who visit the area each winter to view the bald eagles that winter there. A second visitor to the state is not as rare, but is an encouraging sign. A migrating radio-collared trumpeter swan was passing through the Springfield area when it located a dozen or so continental mute swans that were wintering at a pond in a suburb on the western edge of the city, and decided to stay awhile. The green-colored collar identified the bird as having been banded in Michigan. While the birds are fairly rare, a propagation program in the Mississippi and Central flyways has resulted in their numbers increasing significantly. This radio-collared trumpeter swan from Michigan (left), showed up in Springfield in January, and spent several weeks hanging out with mute swans and other waterfowl in a pond west of the city.

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OutdoorIllinois

Preservation Fund targets habitat

Threatened and endangered species of birds, mammals, amphibians and insects, and the habitats that sustain them, are the focus of more than 50 habitat enhancement and wildlife protection projects approved for funding this year by the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Advisory Committee.

"Throughout the state, scientists and citizens are working to find ways to better protect rare plants and animals and to improve habitat for the benefit of wildlife in urban and rural settings," said Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning. "The projects funded by the Wildlife Preservation Fund are examples of how the public's support for wildlife can pay big dividends today and for generations to come."

Permit status information is a click away Spring turkey hunters can find out about their permit status by doing an on-line inquiry from the Department of Natural Resources' Internet Home Page (http://dnr.state.il.us). This service should be as popular with turkey hunters as it was with deer hunters. This last year more than 64,000 deer hunters checked their permit status on the web site.

The Wildlife Preservation Fund is a voluntary contribution check-off option on Illinois state income tax returns. More than 446,000 people have made donations to the fund totaling nearly $3.6 million during the past 17 years. The funds have been used to support more than 650 projects involving development and management of habitat, species restoration initiatives, data collection, scientific analysis, conservation education and technical assistance.

The Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Advisory Committee approved more than $107,000 in funding for 51 projects this year, among them 11 projects with grants of more than $ 1,000 each:

Movement and habitat use of eastern massasauga at Carlyle Lake - $3,000; revising and reprinting "Habitat Establishment, Enhancement and Management of Forest and Grassland Birds in Illinois" booklet - $9,000; determining status and changes in Chicago prairies, savannas and wetlands originally sampled by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory - $9,999; site inventory of the Iroquois County Conservation Area and Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve - $3.444; stabilization of abandoned "Magazine Mine" entrance, an Indiana bat hibernaculum in Alexander County - $13,400; site fidelity of grassland birds in northwestern Illinois - $4,775; ecology and conservation of yellow-headed blackbird in northeast Illinois -$7,406; Green River Site Wildlife Area insect survey and collection - $5,400; development of the Illinois Audubon Prairie Preserve in Jasper County - $3,000; modification of Upper Stonegate Dam on Waubonsie Creek in Oswego to allow fish passage - $6,000; and natural history and habitat utilization of the spring cavefish in southern Illinois - $3,988.

In addition, the Wildlife Preservation Fund Advisory Committee has approved funding for 41 smaller projects, each with grant limits of $1,000.

"The committee recommends projects that address important habitat enhancement and species protection issues." said Glen Kruse, acting chief of the Natural Heritage Division. "Donors can be sure that Wildlife Preservation Fund money is used to preserve wildlife."

Donations to the Wildlife Preservation Fund are tax deductible, and may be made on line 28a of the IL-1040 form. Those taxpayers filing by telephone may donate to the wildlife fund on line 13 of Telefile.

Shelbyville photo contest

Break out the camera again, and make sure you have plenty of film on your next trip to Lake Shelbyville. The Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced a four seasons photography contest. The first season will begin spring 2001 and the last season will end in March 2002. Seasonal photos will be accepted at the close of each quarter. Quarterly winners from each season will become finalists in the grand prize contest to be held in March 2002. Winning entries will be displayed at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center and Eagle Creek Resort throughout 2002.

There will be four categories: Visitor/Recreation, Nature/Wildlife, Scenic and Special Events. Photos for each season may be dropped off at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office or Eagle Creek State Park Office. Photographic entries may be dropped off on the following dates: May 10-15 - spring season; Aug. 10-15 -summer season; Nov. 10-15 -fall season; and March 1-5, 2002 - winter season.

All photos must be taken at Lake Shelbyville during the current season. Photos must be color and between the sizes of 5" x 7" and 11" x 14". Photographs must be ready for hanging. The contest is open to everyone except professional photographers, Corps of Engineers employees and their families, and Department of Natural Resources employees and their families. Each individual photographer may enter up to two photographs in each of the four contest categories. All entries become the property of both the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

For further information and complete contest rules, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project

How do I read this? A number of subscribers have asked us to explain how to read our mailing labels. Begin with the line directly above your name. The first six characters refer to your name, followed by five characters of your address and your five-digit zip code. The next four numerals show expiration date (0403 means your subscription expires the fourth month in the year 03, or April 2003). That is followed by the date your subscription started (0401 means it began in April 2001). ******************3-DIGIT 627 BOWNJ4321 6270104030401 0217 JOE M BROWN 4321 SUMMER AVE SPRINGFIELD IL 62701

March 2001

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Office at (217) 774-3951, email: lakeshelbyville@mvs02.usace.army.mil or Eagle Creek State Park at (217) 756-8260, email: rglazebrook@dnrmail.state.il.us.

Open Land Trust program helps nature preserve

Gov. George H. Ryan recently announced the state has acquired 66.3 acres of land in McHenry County through the Open Land Trust Program that will protect the Lake in the Hills Fen Nature Preserve.

"The Open Land Trust program is working to protect the state's rarest resources for our children and grandchildren," Ryan said. "Throughout Illinois, this program is helping communities preserve precious open spaces for future generations to enjoy."

With this acquisition, more than 425 acres have been protected at the fen. The fen is owned and protected by three public agencies working in partnership: the Department of Natural Resources, the Village of Lake in the Hills, and the McHenry County Conservation District.

Students' donation aids endangered species in state Students of Nancy Schietzel at Cary Junior High School have donated $855 to the Illinois Conservation Foundation for endangered species programs. The students collected the funds in part from spare change. Donations such as this can make a tremendous difference to DNR programs and allow important projects to move forward that otherwise might go unfunded. Students at Gary Junior High School presented the Illinois Conservation Foundation with a check for $855 to be used to help endangered species in Illinois.

The preserve is a series of gravel hills overlooking a large complex of wetlands along Crystal Creek. There is a series of rare fens at the base of the gravel hills and along the creek and remnant prairie on the hills and ridges above the fens. The area is known for its exceptional scenic beauty, its native grasses and its many rare wild-flowers. Nineteen endangered or threatened species of plants and animals occur here, one of the highest concentrations of rare species in the state.

The fen is also home to the tiny blue bell, our smallest damsel fly, which is known to exist in only two sites in Illinois. Most of the endangered species depend on the uninterrupted flow of alkaline groundwater seeping from the gravel hills.

The land, including the remaining mineral reserves, was acquired from Material Service Corporation for $2.8 million. The transaction included a considerable donation from the company. The acquisition will help preserve the gravel resources in the area, ensuring the groundwater will be saturated with the minerals needed to preserve the fen and buffer the nature preserve from future development.

The Open Land Trust Initiative, the largest land acquisition program in state history, is providing $160 million over four years for land purchases and improvements to protect the state's most precious natural resources.

Tree seedlings are now available The DNR Division of Forest Resources is accepting orders for tree seedlings through March 31. Seedlings must be used for such conservation purposes as wildlife habitat, erosion control, energy conservation, natural community reforestation, general reforestation, research, commemorative plantings or educational programs. They cannot be used for ornamental, shade tree or landscape planting. For more information, call (217)782-2361.

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OutdoorIllinois

Backyards for Nature Fair and Native Plant Sale

The Schaumburg Park District, Schaumburg Community Garden Club, Prairie Woods Audubon Society and other community conservation groups will be offering their annual Backyards for Nature Fair and Native Plant Sale at the district's Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary on Sunday, April 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This event focuses on the use of native plants and environmentally friendly practices for the home landscape.

It features a sale of native prairie and woodland wildflowers, grasses and shrubs as well as demonstrations of proper planting techniques, composting, and low-impact lawn maintenance. In addition, there will be activities for children such as birdhouse construction, take-home wildflower seedlings, preparing soil in the Kid's Garden and more. A variety of native plants will be available for purchase on the day of the fair. However, preordering of plants is encouraged by calling the Nature Sanctuary at (847) 985-2100. This number also can be called for more information.

Put some class into your life

The Department of Natural Resources administers four mandatory safety education programs for young hunters, trappers, boaters and snowmobilers. Although designed for youths, the courses are recommended for everyone wanting to keep up on safety practices. For information about safety education classes in your area, call 1-800-832-2599. Hearing-impaired individuals can call the Department's TTY number, (217) 782-9175.

Sugar Bush Fair and pancake breakfast

The Schaumburg Park District will be holding its annual Sugar Bush Fair and pancake breakfast at the district's Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary on Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event focuses on the centuries-old craft of maple syrup and sugar production. It features a tree-tapping activity and puppet show for children, maple syrup boildown demonstrations, recreated Native American and pioneer sugar camps, sales of maple syrup and a breakfast.

The pancake breakfast is offered throughout both mornings and features pancakes with real maple syrup, sausage, juice and coffee. Admission to the event is free, however tickets must be purchased for the breakfast. Tickets for either a half-stack or full-stack can be pre-purchased at the Spring Valley visitor center for $3 and $4, respectively. Tickets on the days of the event will be $3.50 and $4.50. For more information, call (847) 985-2100.

It's that time of year again! Sportsman, hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, plus associated stamps, expire on March 31. Plan to purchase your new license prior to your next outing.

From Floundering to Flourishing Children and adults alike are bound to be curious about the story behind the bald eagle, our magnificent national symbol. What caused the bird to come close to extinction in the lower 48 states? Why is the eagle called bald when it isn't bald at all? Why are eagles honored and respected by Native Americans? Where do eagles live? What do they eat? What about their nests? What can we do to care for them? These and other questions are answered in a new children's book by Mac Priebe, The Bald Eagle-Endangered No More. Priebe traces the bald eagle's victorious journey from the brink of extinction in 1967 to its removal from the Endangered Species List in year 2000. In terms a child can understand, but an adult will also find interesting, he tells of how a combination of legislative action and the efforts of a variety of concerned groups throughout the United States led to the survival of the bald eagle. Interesting illustrations by Jennifer Priebe and the use of outstanding photographs combine with the author's exciting presentation of facts to make this book a must for the young wildlife enthusiast. Available for $15.95, the full-color, hardcover publication is 8 1/4 x 10 /14 inches and can be purchased from DNR's gift store using Master Card or Visa by calling 1-800-782-1687. It also is available at most bookstores. —Liz Pensoneau

March 2001

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