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Accessible outdoors program wins honors The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently was honored for its Disabled Outdoor Opportunities Program by both the Illinois State Rifle Association and the state's Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities. DNR Director Brent Manning accepted the Illinois State Rifle Association's President's Award for the agency's "outstanding efforts to promote hunting opportunities for handicapped outdoors enthusiasts." The Department also has been named the large agency of the year by the Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities for "its efforts to make state parks and other recreational areas accessible to people with disabilities." Specifically, the accessible outdoors program was recognized by the committee for organizing and offering activities such as pheasant, deer and dove hunts throughout the state for hunters with disabilities, and for providing special nature interpretation programs for people with developmental disabilities.
"The Disabled Outdoor Opportunities Program is an aggressive, innovative program that offers outdoor activities— previously considered impossible due to outdoor, physical, logistical or governmental barriers—to the physically challenged," Manning said. "It truly is an honor to be recognized for our efforts. But the real reward is in seeing the looks and smiles on the faces of the older hunters and anglers who once again are able to do something they haven't been able to do for 20 or 30 years, or the faces of the young hunters and anglers who are experiencing the thrill of the hunt or the rush of catching fish for the first time in their lives." The program, still in its infancy, already is offering disabled hunters and anglers a full slate of hunting and fishing events in 2000. In addition, the program's administrator, Charlie Pangle, is continuing to work with site managers throughout the state to identify new event possibilities and with private and public organizations to bring in more manpower and additional resources to expand the program. "In one sense, we have an established program which already is producing positive results as evidenced by the awards being bestowed upon us," Pangle said. "However, we're only one year into this program and we're hoping to build on our successes from that first year. With the wonderful cooperation and assistance from a growing list of partnering organizations throughout the state, and energized by the excitement and overwhelming interest of the disabled hunters and anglers, we are looking forward to a promising future for the Department's Disabled Outdoors Opportunities Program." In fact, the Department is expanding the program. Jay D. Williams of Saline County is now overseeing the program for the southern portion of the state. "I've been in a wheelchair since I was 13 years old," said Williams, 40. "I've never missed a hunting date, season or opportunity. I know how to do this, I've been doing it for years, and I look forward to helping others do it by teaching, by leading as an example and by opening doors for other physically challenged hunters and anglers." Persons interested in getting involved in the program as a hunter, angler, host, volunteer or sponsor should contact Pangle at (815) 929-1223. Furbearer Fund supports 11 projects The Department of Natural Resources has awarded more than $54,500 from the State Furbearer Fund for 11 wildlife conservation projects to begin in 2000. Furbearer Fund monies are derived from the sale of a $5.50 Habitat Stamp required of most Illinois hunters. Six percent of the stamp revenues is deposited in the State Furbearer Fund for the conservation of fur-bearing mammals. Projects are submitted once each year to the State Furbearer Committee, which reviews them and makes recommendations for the allocation of funds. Applications and project criteria for year 2001 projects are available at DNR district and regional offices, as well as in Springfield. The application deadline for 2001 projects is March 1. Following is a list of approved projects:
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources: $2,793 for wet-land restoration at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area; $11,000 to design, print and distribute a full-color poster of 14 species classified as fur-bearing mammals in Illinois; and $6,000 to print an updated Trapper Education Manual.
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Six new land and water reserves approved The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) has approved six new land and water reserves, as well as an addition to an existing reserve. "Although these reserves are all very important, the Commission was especially pleased to protect the more than 2,100 acres of the Prairie Ridge Natural Area as a land and water reserve," said Carolyn Grosboll, INPC director. The Prairie Ridge Natural Area in southeastern Illinois is comprised of original and restored grasslands. Part of the area is owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and another portion is owned by The Nature Conservancy. It provides habitat for an amazing variety of wildlife, including breeding populations of 10 endangered or threatened bird species and the last remaining population of prairie chickens. The nine-member commission reviews and determines whether an area is significant enough to warrant protection. Protection of the sites also has been approved by DNR Director Brent Manning. The six new land and water reserves and one addition include: • Prairie Ridge State Natural Area Land and Water Reserve, Jasper and Marion counties. Owned by the DNR, it consists of 1,027 acres—700 acres in Jasper County and 327 acres in Marion County. The site's ecosystem-based management plan provides for a rich diversity of plant and animal species occurring within its grassland and wetland habitats. There are 37 species of special concern that have been documented on Prairie Ridge State Natural Area (PRSNA). Among these are breeding populations of eight state-endangered and two state-threatened bird species, two state-endangered and one state-threatened plant species, and two state-threatened reptile species. Additionally, all 10 of the grassland area sensitive bird species found in Illinois have been documented at Prairie Ridge and eight are known to breed there. PRSNA has the state's largest breeding populations of northern harriers, short-eared owls, barn owls and prairie chickens, all of which are state-endangered grassland birds. • Prairie Ridge Land and Water Reserve, Jasper and Marion counties. This reserve, owned by The Nature Conservancy, totals 1,108.5 acres— 588.5 acres in Jasper County and 520 acres in Marion County. This site's ecosystem-based management plan also provides for a rich diversity of plant and animal species occurring within its grassland and wetland habitats. This site is home to an identical list of endangered and threatened animals and plants as found at PRSNA Land and Water Reserve detailed above. • Padgett Brothers Sweet Gum Woods Land and Water Reserve, July 2000 21 Clay County. This 60-acre site, owned by Patrick, Kathy, Jeffery, James and Mary Padgett and Jodie Hovermale, provides riparian buffer for a nearly three-quarter mile segment of the Little Wabash River, a biologically significant stream. Eighty-two species of fish, 47 species of mussels, and 19 species of crustaceans are known from the Little Wabash River drainage. State-endangered species found in the Little Wabash River basin include the little spectacle case mussel, purple lilliput mussel, pyramid pigtoe mussel and Indiana crayfish. State-threatened species include the spike mussel and the redspotted sunfish. Other species that are candidates for being listed as a federally endangered species are also known to inhabit these waters. The landowners are retaining the mineral rights for the area. Timber harvests will be conducted in accordance with an approved forest management plan. • Padgett Pin Oak Woods Land and Water Reserve, Wayne County. This 158-acre reserve, owned by James L. and June Padgett, contains 86 acres of bottomland forest and 72 acres of grassland that provide riparian buffer for a nearly one-half mile segment of the Little Wabash River. Allowable uses include hiking, nature observation and study, photography, scientific research, hunting, fishing, and timber harvests. The landowners are retaining the mineral rights for the area, and timber harvests will be conducted in accordance with an approved forest management plan. • Speckman-Stelter Woods Land and Water Reserve, Mason County. Owned by Irma Stelter, this reserve is a 42.3-acre tract of woodlands on a sandy terrace above the Illinois River. Speckman-Stelter Woods is the best example of the dry sand forest natural community with a white oak component within the Illinois River Section of the Illinois River and Mississippi River Sand Areas Natural Division. Though portions of the woods were selectively logged as recently as the 1980s, old-growth characteristics are still in place, and will become more evident with time and restoration management. Also, the reserve possesses additional ecological importance because of its location along the wooded Illinois River bluffs, which function as a wooded flyway for migrating songbirds through the highly agricultural and urbanized landscape of central Illinois. • Nenawakwa Land and Water Reserve, McDonough County. Owned by Margaret Ovitt and Dr. Edwin Card, this is a 142-acre mosaic of grasslands, open woodlands, scattered hill prairie ridges and wooded ravines five miles southwest of Macomb. During the summer of 1999, a breeding pair of state-endangered Henslow's sparrows were observed there. This site contains 88 acres of grassland and is a breeding ground for wildlife such as sedge wren, dickcissel, field sparrow, northern bob-white, common yellowthroat, American kestrel, eastern bluebird, indigo bunting and meadow fritillary. Although the savanna communities have been disturbed from grazing, timber harvest and cultivation, remnants of hill prairie and post oak groves remain. The landowners have been actively restoring the site to pre-settlement savanna conditions since purchasing five years ago. Management activities include prescribed fire, seeding former crop fields to native Illinois eco-type prairie and savanna vegetation, and brush cutting and herbicide treatment to control invasive woody plants. • Addition to Thistle Hills Land and Water Reserve, McDonough County. This 53.18-acre addition to Thistle Hills, owned by Dr. Robert and Alice Henry, brings the land and water reserve area to 67.34 acres. The reserve protects a substantial population of state-threatened Hill's thistles and provides breeding habitat for the state-endangered Henslow's sparrow, one of four known breeding locations for the sparrow within a corridor of the LaMoine River watershed. This addition consists of woodlands and hill prairies, prairie restoration and crop fields. The fields will be restored to provide habitat for grassland wildlife. By protecting property as a land and water reserve, a landowner voluntarily restricts future uses of the area to ensure that it remains in its natural state. Areas registered as land and water reserves can be used for activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, hiking, nature photography, scientific research and other uses that do not impact the natural features of the protected area. Illinois now has 46 Land and Water Reserves in 33 counties, totaling 19,447 acres.
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Pheasant management workshop set Illinois landowners and sportsmen who want to see ring-neck pheasant numbers improve are invited to attend a free Landowner's Pheasant Management Workshop, on Saturday, Aug. 5, in McLean County.
The workshop will be held at the Bill Bryan property, 17 miles east of Bloomington on State Rt. 9 and 2 miles south on Road 3550E. The site is 2 miles east of Arrowsmith or 2 miles west and 2 miles north of Say-brook. Follow the pheasant workshop signs. The workshop will include a morning program at 9 a.m. followed by a walking tour of fields exhibiting good habitat practices and a free lunch provided by Pheasants Forever. The workshop will focus on improving pheasant habitat and accessing state, federal and private programs to implement various wildlife management practices. Resource agency speakers will discuss improving Conservation Reserve Program cover types and other land for the benefit of ring-neck pheasants and other wildlife through the use of nest cover plantings, native grass establishment, prescribed burning, food plots, filter strips and brood cover management. In addition, com mercial seed and equipment vendors will be on hand to discuss their products. Register in advance for this free workshop by telephoning (217) 784-4730 or faxing (217) 784-8116 with your name, phone number and the number attending. The workshop will be limited to the first 200 who register. Those who register will have their names entered in a drawing for a shotgun donated by Pheasants Forever. The event is jointly sponsored by Illinois Pheasants Forever, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District, The Nature Conservancy, University of Illinois Extension, and the Department of Natural Resources. Five areas now protected as nature preserves Five new natural areas are being protected by the state as nature preserves because of their significant ecological features. "The owners of these new nature preserves should be commended for voluntarily agreeing to give up their development rights in order to protect the natural features on their land. Their commitment to conservation is good news for the continued existence of Illinois' remaining natural areas," said Carolyn Grosboll, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Director.
Areas include:
Areas dedicated as nature preserves can be used for activities such as wildlife observation, hiking, nature photography and scientific research. Illinois now has 295 nature preserves in 77 counties totaling 39,115 acres. Nature preserves must have the approval of the Director of the Department of the Natural Resources and the Governor, after being approved by landowner and the Commission. Carp academies seek students Anglers can participate in carp fishing events at Carlyle Lake, Heidecke Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Horseshoe Lake State Park. Sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and Carp Anglers Group, the events are designed to inform and encourage anglers to take advantage of the carp fishing opportunities available in Illinois. Activities including presentations on tackle, bait, and techniques to help anglers improve their success at catching carp; and carp cleaning and cooking demonstrations. Group fishing will begin at 10 a.m. at the following sites: Carlyle Lake on Saturday, July 8, call (618) 594-3015 for more information; Heidecke Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area on Sunday, July 16, call Bob Williamson at (217) 782-6424 for additional information; and Horseshoe Lake State Park in Madison County on Saturday, July 22, contact Larry Cruse at (618) 462-1181 for additional information. There is no charge for the events. Artisans' craft sale in Chicago Select Illinois artisans will present folk and country collectibles in a two-day sale and demonstration July 12-13 in the Atrium of the James R. Thomson Center in Chicago. A cross section of crafts will be presented reminiscent of old-time county fairs. Look for hand-woven baskets and quilted squares, wood carvings, painted gourd vessels, painted fiber art and hand puppets, beads, silver jewelry, stained glass and ceramic tiles. This is a unique opportunity to see a great selection of hand-crafted art presented by the artists who make them. For further information, contact Carole Stodder at (312) 814-1794.
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