The Great Lakes piping plover population remains on the federal and Illinois endangered species lists, but collaborative efforts are helping to put the plovers back on the map. These small shorebirds still face many challenges, but there is hope. They are slowly gaining a foothold with help from captive-rearing programs, the use of nest exclosures, habitat restoration, and extensive monitoring efforts on both their nesting and wintering grounds.
If you like to fish for bass, crappie and panfish, then you can appreciate crayfish because they are a main component in the diets of these fish. Few organisms are as important to Illinois lakes, rivers and wetlands as crayfish. Ecologists refer to them as ‘ecosystem engineers’ because of the many ways that they change and structure their habitats.
Several species such as bighead, silver, grass or black carps, Eurasian ruffe, hydrilla and New Zealand mud snails threaten the aquatic resources of Illinois and surrounding states. Adhering to the steps to ‘Be a Hero – Transport Zero’ goes a long way to prevent the movement of invasive species.
Lampreys are remnants of a group of jawless fishes that lived 350 million years ago, making them one of the oldest living vertebrates. They have long, tube-shaped bodies with no scales and lack pectoral and pelvic fins. You are not likely to encounter this ancient critter on your treks to our Illinois streams and rivers, but it’s important to know that lampreys are part of Illinois’ natural heritage and they do contribute to biodiversity in our aquatic ecosystems.
Tularemia, often called rabbit fever, is a zoonotic disease that has recently re-emerged in parts of Illinois. Here’s an overview of this bacterial disease, along with tips on how to empower yourself to safely enjoy your outdoor adventures and protect your dogs and cats.
HuntIllinois is no new tool to an adept Illinois hunter. But did you know it’s had a recent upgrade? For hunters planning to venture out this fall, HuntIllinois can be a crucial tool for finding all the site regulations for specific species. Even for experienced hunters, the site pages serve as a great tool for a quick refresher on all site-specific regulations.
