Illinois Mixed Bag: DNR seeking help with turkey brood surveys – Outdoor News
Springfield — DNR is looking for volunteer citizen scientists to assist with wild turkey brood surveys to aid biologists in monitoring turkey population trends and reproductive success. Participants are asked to report young turkeys, adult females, and adult males with every observation, as well as the county and date of the observation during June, July, and August.
Young turkeys hatch in summer, and by counting them and adult females, biologists can assess trends in reproductive success and survival of young turkeys, DNR explained.
Biologists also count male turkeys to estimate total wild turkey abundance, male-to-female ratios, and adult survival.
The best way to submit turkey sightings is through the department’s electronic wild turkey survey online. The survey can be accessed on both personal computers and mobile devices through any internet browser or the Survey123 app.
Participants who cannot use the electronic survey can have postcards mailed to them. For more information, email [email protected].
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Recently Resumed Patrol Saves Teenagers
Lake Bluff, Ill.— Just days after resuming patrols on Lake Michigan after six years without a boat, Lake County sheriff’s deputies reportedly saved the lives of two teenagers. On the afternoon of June 19, the sheriff’s marine unit was patrolling about a mile off the Lake Bluff shoreline when they spotted a 16-year-old Lake Bluff girl and a 16-year-old Wauconda boy on paddle boards.
The pair was floating farther out into the lake, according to Deputy Chief Chris Covelli. Neither of the teens were wearing life preservers, and neither had any form of communication.
Since 2018, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office had been unable to patrol the 900-square-mile section of water due to an outdated watercraft being retired because of multiple mechanical and safety issues. Earlier this year, the Lake County Board approved the replacement of the watercraft retired in 2018. This spring, the sheriff’s office received delivery of a new Fluid Watercraft Inflatable Patrol Boat. The boat has two 225 horsepower engines and can carry 14 passengers.
DNR Encouraging ‘Votes’ for State Parks
Springfield — The Illinois Conservation Foundation is partnering with DNR to raise money and awareness for Illinois state parks.
Throughout June, supporters are invited to “vote” for their favorite Illinois state park by making a donation at www.ilstateparks.org. Every $1 donated equals one vote.
There are four groups of parks based on visitation, and there will be one winner from each group. The park receiving the most votes in each group will receive a plaque with names of each donor who contributed to that park. Donations are only accepted online.
All funds raised will go back into the Illinois state parks system.
Projects will be identified by state parks staff and include things like accessibility improvements and new playgrounds. Current ICF projects include an accessible fishing pier at William Powers State Park in Chicago and a new stable at Giant City State Park in southern Illinois.
“Your donations are crucial to helping us meet the increasing demands of improving and maintaining safe, clean, and enjoyable parks,” said DNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie.
Protection of Greenway Applauded by Coalition
Springfield — Livable Lake County, a local Sierra Club-led campaign to stop the Route 53 Tollway Extension and protect the existing greenway, applauded the Illinois General Assembly’s passage of the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which includes $1 million to prepare a master land use plan for the greenway.
The greenway is a 12-mile stretch of largely undeveloped land in central Lake County that had been earmarked for the now-defunct Tollway Extension. The $1 million allocation to DNR will cover initial collaboration on the character of the site and the additional investment needed to prepare it for public access.
In budgeting money for the 1,000-acre conservation project, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration embraced the findings of a 2022 state task force. The Lake County Board, in 2023, voted resoundingly for a resolution supporting the greenway.
To ensure roadbuilders can never touch the greenway, the Green Corridor Coalition is collecting signatures to request the State of Illinois transfer ownership of state-owned parcels of the greenway to DNR.
Partners with Livable Lake County in the Green Corridor Coalition have been Friends of Indian Creek Wetlands, Lake County Audubon Society, Midwest Sustainability Group, and Openlands.
Outdoor Hall of Fame Nominations Sought
Springfield — The Illinois Conservation Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2024 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame class.
The honor recognizes individuals who have records of exemplary service in and commitments to improving conservation efforts and outdoor recreation opportunities in Illinois.
Some inductees touched the lives of thousands by promoting fishing, hunting, conservation, and safety education. Others spearheaded efforts to preserve or enhance fish and wildlife habitat and protect and restore Illinois’ lakes and rivers.
Selected nominees will be inducted into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame next spring at the annual Illinois Conservation Foundation Outdoor Hall of Fame Gala.
Nominations must be submitted on the official Hall of Fame nomination form by July 15 to be considered. For more information, contact the Illinois Conservation Foundation at [email protected] or 217-785-2003.
