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Two commended for life-saving efforts in parks Two Department of Natural Resources employees have been honored for their life-saving efforts in separate incidents last spring at two lakes in northwestern Illinois. Andrew Dominick, site security officer at Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park, and Neil Johnson, site technician at Morrison-Rockwood State Park, received Meritorious Service Awards at the statewide Land Management and Education Division awards dinner March 7 at Giant City State Park. Dominick, 36, performed CPR on eight-year-old Jovontae Ishmon of Freeport after the youngster fell off a fishing pier and nearly drowned at Lake Le-Aqua-Na on June 4, 1999. Darryl Busser of Pearl City was fishing nearby when he heard the boy's grandfather calling for help. Busser dived into the 10-foot-deep water and pulled the lifeless body of the boy to the surface, where Dominick was able to revive him after about 10 minutes of CPR. The youth was taken to Rockford Memorial Hospital, where he reportedly made a full recovery. Johnson, 49, was instrumental in rescuing four boaters whose craft capsized in the chilly waters of Carlton Lake on March 28, 1999. Seeing the boaters in the 50-degree water, Johnson called 911. Then, with the help of park visitor Chris Striegel of Morrison, Johnson used the park's 16-foot aluminum work boat to bring the boaters ashore. A rescue unit took the four to Morrison Hospital, where they were treated for first stages of hypothermia. Johnson and Dominick have both been with the Department for five years. While Dominick, his wife and three children reside in Orangeville, Johnson and his wife live in Morrison. Learn to wing-shoot The Department of Natural Resources and Will and Grundy chapters of Pheasant Forever are sponsoring two wingshooting schools for beginning shotgunners at Des Plaines Conservation Area near Wilmington. The schools will be held on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. The Saturday session is for youths 10-15 years of age. The Sunday session is for women and is open to all ages. Both schools will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration is from 8 a.m.- 9 a.m. both days. There is no charge and all supplies, including shotguns and ammunition, are provided, as is lunch. The professional teachers are certified National Sporting Clay Association instructors. Pheasants Forever members from Grundy and Will County chapters are supplying the manpower and funding for both sessions. To make your reservations, call the Des Plaines Conservation Area between 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 815/423-5326. Space is limited to 20 students per session. Manning seeks revisions in federal farm bill Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning is calling for changes in any new farm bill so the program works nationwide for both agriculture and the environment. "It is absolutely critical that the conservation programs of the farm bill are fully funded and targeted appropriately so that our soil, water and biotic resources are protected, " Manning said. Manning's comments came during the 65th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, the premiere annual gathering of North America's top natural resource administrators, scientists, educators and managers and most of the major non-governmental conservation organizations. The meeting included a tour of farms in LaSalle and Kendall counties to see examples of soil conservation, water quality and wildlife habitat projects. Illinois is among the nation's most highly agricultural states. Farms occupy 85 percent of Illinois' 36 million acres, and 24 million acres are devoted to intensively cultivated cash grains. In Illinois, the most recent version of the farm bill has had mixed results. "Overall, wetlands, streams and aquatic resources are better protected, but the total acreage of relatively high-quality, undisturbed grassland available to ground nesting wildlife through regular CRP has declined by 160,000 acres since 1995," Manning said. "CRP grasslands provide the majority of nest cover for pheasants, quail, rabbits and non-game grassland wildlife, and there just isn't enough of it. Most of what does exist isn't properly managed for maximum wildlife benefits." Manning noted that Illinois croplands receive some of the highest rates of fertilizer and pesticide applications in the country and that highly erodible cropland is not receiving adequate protection. Nationally, much marginal farmland is protected by CRP, while millions of acres of productive, but highly erodible land in the eastern corn belt is planted to continuous row crops and subject to high levels of sedimentation and nitrogen and pesticide run-off. 20 OutdoorIllinois The Department of Natural Resources office in Region I has moved. Its new location is 2317 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, Ill. 61081. The telephone number, (815) 625-2968, remains the same.
"We need to do all we can to minimize soil erosion and sedimentation and to prevent excessive nutrients and pesticides from entering our aquatic environments and drinking water supplies," Manning said. "In this state, agricultural conservation programs are not luxuries. They are necessities." There needs to be a more balanced distribution of CRP acres across the country and the cap on CRP enrollment should be increased from 36 million to 45 million acres, Manning suggested. Emphasis should be placed on leaving cover unmowed during nesting seasons and an effective incentive for appropriate cover management should be created. Manning said Illinois' goals should include the following: • Retire 2 million acres of highly erodible cropland to CRP or multi-year set-aside. Currently, less than 700,000 acres are enrolled in CRP. • Establish 500,000 acres of additional filter strips, riparian buffers and field borders. Illinois is a national leader in enrolling conservation buffers. Between CREP and continuous CRP, nearly 78,000 acres of buffers have been planted. • Protect all of the state's existing 1.3 million acres of wetlands from drainage or conversion and restore 400,000 acres. "Our goals are lofty, but achievable if changes are made in the conservation programs in the farm bill," Manning said. The farm bill was last modified in 1996 and probably will be changed again as reauthorization approaches in 2002. DU's wetland award goes to Manning
Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning has been awarded the Ducks Unlimited 2000 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award for his "profound level of commitment to waterfowl and wetlands conservation." Manning received the award at the Ducks Unlimited breakfast during the 65th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. "Manning has been a longstanding and ardent supporter of waterfowl, waterfowl habitat restoration and management and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Through his career as the director of the Department of Natural Resources, he has demonstrated a profound level of commitment to waterfowl and wetlands conservation," stated DU's nominating papers for Manning. "I am both greatly honored and humbled by this prestigious award," Manning said. "The credit should go to my staff members who work tirelessly for the benefit of the natural resources in this state." Ducks Unlimited credited Manning with his work to convert closed military bases, such as the Joliet and Savanna arsenals; his spearheading of Governor George Ryan's $160 million Illinois Open Land Trust initiative; his creation of a Sportsmen's Ethics Committee to review outdoor behavior and improve ethics standards, and creation of Illinois' Conservation Congress. DU also credited his work on various committees of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, including his chairmanship of the Ad Hoc Committee on Baiting, which recommended landmark changes in regulations that would benefit wetlands, waterfowl and migratory bird hunters. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adopted most of the committee's recommendations and began implementing them in 1999.
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. Apply for permits on the Internet Deer hunters can now apply for a resident firearm deer permit over the Internet by contacting the Department at http://dnr.state.il.us. The process edits applicants' information for correctness and gives them a confirmation receipt at completion of the transaction. Internet applications will be included in the permit lottery. May 2000 21 Wyant wins Junior-Duck Stamp Contest
Kaylee Wyant of Farmington High School has won "Best of Show" honors during Illinois' segment of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest. The 17-year-old won the top prize with her colored pencil drawing "Preening Pintail" depicting a male pintail in plumage preening his feathers while in a body of water and a female pintail floating behind him. Her winning entry now advances to the national competition. Wyant is not a newcomer to the competition. Last year she won second place honors in the 10th to 12th grade category. Her teacher at Farmington High School is Mike Ellinger.
"This year's competition was a tough call, but in the end, the tremendous detail of Kaylee's work—both of the birds and their reflection in the water—stood out in the minds of the judges," according to DNR Director Brent Manning. "This young woman has a tremendous talent and I believe she will do well at the national level."
Wyant's "Best of Show" and 11 first place winning entries can be viewed at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/CLASSRM/RIBBON/MAIN.HTM. (Note this web site is case-sensitive). As one of five contest judges, Manning credited art teachers throughout the state for encouraging their students to compete in the design contest and for promoting the study of waterfowl. He said he was particularly impressed with the efforts of the younger students who demonstrated considerable artistic ability and knowledge of waterfowl species despite their young age. The "Best of Show" design was chosen from a group of 12 first-place winners in four categories: grades 10-12; grades 7-9; grades 4-6; and grades K-3. Three first, second and third-place winners were selected in each age group, along with 16 honorable mentions. There were more than 930 entries in all. Wyant's work was judged a first-place winner in the competition among 10th-12th grade students. The two other 2000 first-place winners in this category are Sean Langa of Springfield and Rebecca Peed of West Chicago. There were 120 entries in this age group. First-place winners in the grades 7-9 category are Tyler Kirby of Hamilton, Amanda Parsons-Twesten of Millstadt and Ryan Blacker of Mansfield. This age group had 172 entries for judging. In the category for grades 4-6, first-place winners are Chelsi Meyers of Buda, Ericka Transou of Sheffield and Cody Culjan of Sheffield. A total of 416 pieces of artwork were judged in this age group. First-place winners in the K-3 category are Riki Hicks of Cobden, Ashley Aber of Buda and Christina Lowers of Tampico. This age group contained over 226 entries to be judged. For her effort Wyant will receive $100 from the Illinois Waterfowlers Alliance. All first place finishers will receive a hat 22 OutdoorIllinois and pin from Illinois Ducks Unlimited and other gifts from the Illinois Waterfowlers Alliance. All students who place first, second, third or honorable mention receive ribbons. All participating students receive certificates. Four natural areas receive protection Four natural areas are being protected by the state because of their significant natural features, including sites in dark. Cook, Edwards and Monroe counties.
"The varied features of these particular parcels of land represent diverse habitats and illustrate the need to protect different natural resources throughout the state," said Carolyn Grosboll, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission director. "It also is important to recognize the owners for their commitment to conservation, as they have voluntarily agreed to give up their development rights to protect the natural features on their land." At a recent meeting, the nine-member Illinois Nature Preserves Commission approved protection of three of the properties as nature preserves, and a fourth as a land and water reserve. The new nature preserves include: • Sundrop Prairie Nature Preserve, Cook County. Owned by The Nature Conservancy, it is one of four prairies collectively referred to as the Indian Boundary Prairies, surviving remnants of the lake plain section of old Lake Chicago. • Beadles Barrens Nature Preserve, Edwards County, is a five-acre natural area that has been in the Beadles family since 1866. Currently owned by Roger and Vivian Beadles, the site is the first nature preserve designated in Edwards County. • William A. DeMint Memorial Hill Prairie Nature Preserve, Monroe County. Owned by Dr. William Bowles, it is a 28-acre preserve on the high bluffs above the Mississippi River. • The new land and water reserve is Miller's Rocky Branch Land and Water Reserve, located near the town of Marshall in dark County. The 107-acre tract is owned by D. Paul and Anna B. Miller. Areas dedicated as nature preserves can be used for activities such as wildlife observation, hiking, nature photography and scientific research. Areas registered as land and water reserves can be used for activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, hiking and other uses that do not impact the natural features of the protected area. Illinois now has 294 nature preserves encompassing more than 38,000 acres in 76 counties, and 40 land and water reserves totaling more than 16,000 acres in 29 counties.
Rivers Project conducts summer training The Rivers Project of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville will conduct its annual summer training program in July and August. The goal of the program is to increase scientific literacy through river study. This year's training will focus on six subjects, with interdisciplinary training in all. The units include: biology, chemistry, earth science, geography, language arts and mathematics. Trainers for the week-long sessions are practicing Rivers Projects teachers who are supported by professionals. The July 23-28 session will be at Joliet Junior College, and is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Chicago River and Friends of the Fox River. This session will focus on Midwestern urban rivers and streams. The July 31-Aug. 4 session is at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Applied technology and computer applications are the focus of the session. Tuition (those attending can get two semester graduate credits) and curricular materials will be available. A non-credit option also is available for $200. Lodging and food will be provided at a low cost, and interdisciplinary teaching teams from the same school are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Dr. Bob Williams at (618) 650-3788, write: Rivers Project, Box 2222, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, 111. 62026, or check the Rivers Project home-page at: http://www.siue.edu/OSME/river. "Outdoor Illinois" receives Award of Excellence
The December 1999 issue of Outdoorlllinois magazine is the recipient of the Crystal Award of Excellence in The Communicator Awards 2000 Print Media competition. The magazine was one of more than 2,500 entries from throughout the nation competing for this prestigious honor. "The December issue was a reflection of 100 years of outdoor recreation in Illinois. It was filled with historic photographs, interesting facts and tidbits, and was probably the single, most sought after issue we have ever produced," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "It was an outstanding issue that put into perspective for its readers highlights of an entire century." The last issue of the century featured black and white and sepia-toned photographs and highlighted natural resource milestones. It also featured a beautiful, full-color year 2000 calendar with Illinois wildlife and scenic views of the state, as well as notes on what is happening in the wild each month. The Communicator Awards is a national competition honoring excellence in communications in advertising, public relations, corporate communication and graphic design. It recognizes individuals and companies in the communications field whose talent and creativity achieve a high standard of excellence and serve as a standard for the industry. The awards, based in Austin, Texas, hold annual competitions in print, video and audio categories. "OutdoorIllinois has been around off and on since 1935. Years ago, it focused mostly on hunting and fishing. Although it still is the state's best source for that information, today it offers a lot more," Manning said. "A state park site is featured each month, and the magazine includes stories on hiking, biking, boating, birding, wildlife and other outdoor-related subjects." May 2000 23 |
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Andrew Dominick (left) and Neil Johnson display the Meritorious Service Awards presented to them for their life-saving efforts at state parks.
DNR Director Brent Manning (right) receives the Wetland Conservation Achievement Award from Don Young, Executive Vice President of Ducks Unlimited.
"Preening Pintail" by Kaylee Wyant
