Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller challenged a diverse gathering of conservationists and outdoor supporters to work together and find solutions to three key issues facing the IDNR today: natural resources funding, public access, and building the next generation of outdoor and conservation enthusiasts.
Director Miller addressed the new Illinois Conservation Congress at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources headquarters in Springfield over the weekend and addressed the challenges ahead.
“You have a role to play in our future,” Director Miller told the constituent gathering. “The job isn’t done when you walk out those doors today. Our constituents must be engaged in finding solutions and together we will unearth a way to succeed.”
The Illinois Conservation Congress, held Oct. 24-25, prioritized more than 20 key recommendations for action in the months ahead. Below are the highlighted recommendations in each issue area for immediate attention:
Conservation Funding
- Immediately develop a master action plan outlining conservation and natural resources funding needs and how to pay for them.
- Approval of pending legislation (SB 1846) to increase existing hunting, fishing and other fees and administrative implementation of new and existing fees to shore up and enhance conservation programs, with guarantees that fee revenues are used only for the purposes intended.
- Implement a stable, sustaining, and dedicated long-term funding source for conservation in Illinois, focused on the benefits of conservation and outdoor recreation programs for economic development, tourism, public health, education, agriculture and private land stewardship, and the state’s cultural heritage.
Outdoor Recreational Access to Public and Private Lands
- Restore through legislation liability protection for all recreational land uses allowed by private landowners.
- Develop a new program through establishment of a dedicated funding source to advocate and research new methods of expanding access on private land, including incentives for landowners.
- Develop and implement a plan to acquire more land for pubic outdoor recreation.
Youth Recruitment and Retention
- Update and adopt the Environmental Literacy Plan for Illinois to include outdoor components that include youth recruitment and retention.
- Work with partner organizations to develop mentoring programs to pass on the safe and ethical outdoor traditions in Illinois.
- Provide conservation education for youth in schools; improve and enhance marketing, advertising and promotion of existing youth programs and activities.
“The messages we heard from those participating in the new Conservation Congress were clear: that Illinois citizens and constituent organizations interested in conservation and natural resources protection want action and are ready to provide the leadership needed to get these things done,” Director Miller said.
“The Conservation Congress process is just the beginning. I am delighted the participants in Conservation Congress have pledged their support to the job of pursuing and implementing these recommendations.”
A complete report on the new Illinois Conservation Congress session, including detailed information on the discussions and recommendations, will be prepared and posted on the IDNR web site in the weeks ahead at dnr.state.il.us.