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Illinois DNR

@illinoisdnr.bsky.social

Official account of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. State parks, historic sites, wildlife, water, mines, education and more. #findyourselfoutdoors

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What It Takes to Become an Illinois Conservation Police Officer <p>What does it take to become an Illinois Conservation Police Officer? Here’s an inside look at the education, training, lifestyle, benefits and long-term value of one of Illinois’ most unique law-en...

Becoming an Illinois Conservation Police Officer is far more than choosing a job; it’s choosing a life built around public service, outdoor stewardship, and protecting the places where the pavement ends. Learn what it takes in Outdoor Illinois Journal: outdoor.wildlifeillinois.org/articles/wha...

27.02.2026 16:06 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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IDNR is hosting a field day on Sat, March 21 at 7:30 a.m. in Sangamon County at the IDNR building. If you're under 18 & completed the online hunter safety course, a field day is required to get your hunter safety certification. More info: 217‑785‑4217 or shelli.jones@illinois.gov.

23.02.2026 22:30 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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A squirrel enjoying a snack.

20.02.2026 16:51 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Illinois is gearing up for the nation’s 250th birthday with the first-ever Passport to Illinois. A free travel journal highlighting 56 historic sites, museums & monuments that shaped our nation. Download the digital passport, and start your journey: www.il250.org/passport

18.02.2026 19:24 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
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Join us for the James Orlandini Foundation Wingshooting Clinic, Saturday, April 4! This hands-on clinic is designed for beginner & novice youth shotgun shooters and their parents or guardians. No prior experience is required.
Learn more and register here: givebutter.com/springfield-...

17.02.2026 15:44 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Celebrate the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in Lerna.

Author Stacy Lynn will discuss and sign her book, β€œLoving Lincoln: A Personal History of the Women Who Shaped Lincoln’s Life and Legacy.”

13.02.2026 15:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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IDNR is hiring a design and construction section manager for the Office of Water Resources in Sangamon County. Deadline to apply is Feb. 13. To read the job description and apply, visit illinois.jobs2web.com/job/Springfi...

10.02.2026 16:48 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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IDNR is seeking a vendor for a 3-year golf course management contract. A mandatory attendance pre-bid meeting for the Eagle Creek Golf Course on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. to be held at the Eagle Creek State Park Office located at 2341 Eagle Creek Rd, Findlay, IL.

06.02.2026 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Are you interested in winter tree identification? Join IDNR staff on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Argyle Lake visitor center in McDonough County for a discussion about trees in winter and how to identify them. Then set off on a hike to test out your identification skills.

05.02.2026 19:29 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Don’t miss Lincoln’s birthday celebration at the Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site in Fayette County on Saturday, Feb. 7. The event will take place between 2 and 4 p.m. in the House of Representatives chamber where Abraham Lincoln served.

03.02.2026 20:55 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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It’s Groundhog Day! Did you know that groundhogs are also called woodchucks?

These celebrated creatures can be found statewide in Illinois in brushy or weedy areas, forest edges, fence rows, railroad embankments and earthen dams.

dnr.illinois.gov/education/wi...

02.02.2026 16:56 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Apply now! The Illinois Conservation Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Conservation Achievement Scholarship. The deadline to apply is March 1. For more information, visit ilconservation.org/What-We-Do/S....

30.01.2026 19:40 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Applications for the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant are due Jan. 31!

Grants are only available to teachers of grades prekindergarten through 12 in Illinois schools and home-schooling teachers in Illinois.

Learn more: dnr.illinois.gov/education/gr...

29.01.2026 16:22 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Are you a teacher wanting to get your students to participate in a stewardship project for Earth Day? Several IDNR sites have projects in April and May for schools. Help plant native plants or remove invasive species. Applications are open at: dnr.illinois.gov/education/ed....

26.01.2026 19:13 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Join us at Lincoln Trail State Park in Clark County on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. for a fun stargazing program. The University of Illinois Astronomy Department will present a program on constellations while allowing participants to use telescopes for night viewing of the stars.

23.01.2026 20:22 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site in Fayette County will celebrate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and America’s 250th anniversary with a free public event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 in the House of Representatives chamber where Lincoln once served.

20.01.2026 17:46 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Dana-Thomas House has exciting programing though February. Learn more and register for the events here: www.eventbrite.com/o/illinois-d...

16.01.2026 16:30 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Governor JB Pritzker and IDNR announced $36 million in OSLAD grant funding was awarded to 67 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.
Learn more here: www.illinois.gov/content/dam/...

15.01.2026 21:54 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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IDNR invites families, wildlife watchers and nature lovers to experience eagle-watching events across the state this winter.
Learn more about the various eagle watch opportunities here: www.illinois.gov/content/dam/...

13.01.2026 15:53 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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In January, the Dana-Thomas House will host popular game nights, date nights and evening tour programs on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Old State Capitol will be open late on Saturday evenings for Civil War Saturday presentations.
Learn more: www.illinois.gov/content/dam/...

08.01.2026 19:30 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Celebrate the reopening of the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetland Center at Cache River State Natural Area in southern Illinois from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10!

07.01.2026 17:15 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Join us on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Volo Bog State Natural Area in Lake County for WinterFest. Enjoy live music, bog tours, photography and a snow sculpture contest. Learn more on the Volo Bog website here: friendsofvolobog.org

06.01.2026 21:53 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Don’t miss IDNR’s January newsletter! This issue covers deer harvest totals, eagle watching opportunities, snowmobile safety, and more.
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...

05.01.2026 22:09 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Giant City State Park Gnome Roam is on. Seven trails, seven whimsical winter gnomes waiting to be found. Snap pics, track your finds, and collect a patch when you’ve spotted them all. Gnomes can be found through the end of February!

29.12.2025 17:44 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Celebrate the winter solstice on Sunday, Dec. 21 at Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere, as the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky. To learn more, visit cahokiamounds.org/events/2025-...

18.12.2025 16:15 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Snowy photos from Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry County.

17.12.2025 15:40 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Exciting news! The Illinois State Museum has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies and the public

15.12.2025 16:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Interested in turkey hunting in the spring? The second lottery for the spring turkey season opens Friday, Dec. 12. Learn more here: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turk...

12.12.2025 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site will host the Arrival at Camp River Dubois event Dec. 13–14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free reenactments and demonstrations marking the 222nd anniversary of the Expedition’s Illinois winter encampment.

11.12.2025 19:15 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Don’t miss IDNR’s December newsletter! This issue covers Starved Rock’s $18 million trail renovation project, public comment on mine reclamation, Rend Lake Resort renovation, and more.
Read the newsletter here:
dnr.illinois.gov/director/ins...

09.12.2025 17:25 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0