The Manning Years

A decade of accomplishments for Natural Resources.

The Department of Natural Resources staff would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Brent Manning on the occasion of his tenth anniversary as director. Manning began his tenure as director of the former Department of Conservation in April 1991 and was named to head the newly created Department of Natural Resources effective July 1, 1995, when a number of agencies, including DOC, merged.

Manning's contributions to the Illinois environment and outdoor recreationalists are many, and include the following:

Land Acquisition—Director Manning worked with Gov. George H. Ryan's office in spearheading the Illinois Open Land Trust Initiative, which dedicated $160 million over four years to acquire, protect, preserve and enhance Illinois' natural lands for enjoyment by future generations.

During the Manning years, more than 100,000 acres of Illinois land have been purchased in conjunction with state and federal agencies for outdoor recreation, including more than 16,000 acres in Perry County (now part of Pyramid State Park), and 15,600 acres at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek Fish and Wildlife Area near Chandlerville. He also was instrumental in the purchase of more than 1,650 acres in Kankakee County, now known as the Braidwood Fish and Wildlife Area.

Restoration—The director was a leading element in the partnership to protect and restore 60,000 acres of wetlands and riparian corridor known as the Cache River Complex in southern Illinois, and he worked with state and federal officials in converting military property to recreational use. This includes turning 19,000 acres of the Joliet Army Arsenal into Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. He currently is working with officials to protect 10,000 acres of an existing ecosystem and provide recreational opportunities at the Savanna Army Depot.

Habitat Improvement —Director Manning has focused on improving habitat on private land too. He was instrumental in winning legislative approval for the State Habitat Stamp, which has generated more than $8.5 million in funding for habitat improvements in Illinois, and he has initiated public/private partnerships to provide expanded land acquisition and challenge grants. Under his leadership, DNR hunting and fishing programs have expanded, and a strong emphasis has been placed on increased opportunities for youngsters, women and disabled individuals. He also oversaw the creation of a unique 750-foot-long, 35-foot-wide artificial reef in Lake Michigan to enhance fisheries habitat.

Initiatives—More than $10 million for park improvements have resulted from the sale of environmental license plates that originated under Director Manning's tenure. Also, a series of sportsmens license plates is being sold to benefit fish and wildlife habitat. The Illinois Conservation Foundation, which has raised in excess of $10 million to be used for conservation efforts in Illinois, and Conservation 2000, a 2-year, $200 million initiative that has been reauthorized through 2009 to protect Illinois'

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natural resources through local partnerships, are other monumental developments that can be traced to Manning's leadership.

Another program, "Illinois Rivers 2020," uses existing federal programs and creates voluntary incentives based on natural resource stewardship. Director Manning also helped develop an ongoing $459 million federal/state initiative to restore and preserve the Illinois River Watershed.

Other milestones during Manning's 10 years as director, include:

• Creation of Conservation Congress as a way for constituents to help guide the agency's programs by recommending actions and addressing issues of critical importance.

• Development of the ENTICE program, which provides natural resources training to K-8 school teachers.

•Creation of the Sportsmens' Ethics Committee to review outdoor behavior and improve ethics standards.

• Working to obtain Wetlands of International Significance status for the Cache River.

• Chairing the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Baiting Committee that led to changes in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

• Attracting the BassMasters Classic to Chicago, bringing millions of dollars in tourism and focusing national attention on an emerging bass fishery.

• Initiating the development of a new DNR headquarters at Conservation World at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

• Establishing numerous programs to introduce inner city kids, women and disabled individuals to the outdoors.

Boards and Committees—Director Manning is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, chairs the Ad Hoc Committee on Baiting, cochairs the Audit Committee and the Federal Budget Committee, and serves as a member of the Legislative Committee. He also is a member of the Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Subcommittee.

He is a liaison on the Department of Natural Resources Advisory Board, and chairman of the Board of Natural Resources and Conservation for the state's scientific surveys. He chairs the Illinois Conservation Foundation Board, is chairman of the Governor's Illinois Task Force on Global Climate Change, commissioner on the Great Lakes Commission, trustee of the Natural Resource Damage Program, chairman of the Illinois Geographic Information Council, member of the Council on Forestry Development, member of the Illinois State Museum Board, and member of the Surface Mining Advisory Council.

Recognition—Director Manning's contributions have not gone unnoticed. In addition to being named to the National Registry of Who's Who in 2001, he received the Ducks Unlimited 2000 Wetland Conservation Award for his leadership and commitment to waterfowl and wetlands conservation; a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions to the Vaughn Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America; the American Greenways DuPont Award in 1998 from the Conservation Fund and National Geographic Society; the Conservationist of the Year Award presented by the Migratory Waterfowl Hunters in 1998; the Visionary Award from the Illinois Bowhunters Society in 1995; and the Visionary Award from the Chicagoland Sport Fishing, Travel and Outdoor Show in 1995.

Also, he was the recipient of the Golden Glow Public Servant Award from the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers; the President's Citation from the Illinois Association of Park Districts; the National Leadership Award from the National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers; the Great Blue Heron Award for outstanding contributions benefitting waterfowl and migratory birds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and, most recently, the Great Rivers Land Trust Gladys Alien Award for his work in preserving natural and scenic lands.

That's a lot of work in just 10 years, so join with us in congratulating Director Manning for a job well done.

June 2001

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