July 2025 Issue

OutdoorIllinois Journal's May issue featured many fantastic articles about timely, natural resource-based topics. While our team works to curate an equally splendid issue for release in August, you can still find great information on the wildlife around you this summer. Here are six more stories from the previous edition you don't want to miss!

Ever wondered what the Illinois landscape looked like before the Illinois Department of Natural Resources existed? Or what the landscape looked like before it was officially Illinois, for that matter? Take a deep dive into the rich history of conservation and why it has been an integral part of Illinois' history- so integral that an entire state agency was dedicated to improving and maintaining our natural areas a century ago!

Populations of coho salmon have been introduced into Lake Michigan since the 1960s to help control the population of alewife, an invasive species of fish similar to a herring. While coho salmon have a small amount of success breeding in the wild, most of the work to hatch and rear this population is carried out at the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery. Find out how the hatchery facilitates the growth of this impressive species of fish in order to release them into Lake Michigan to continue their effective work in reducing invasive populations.

Have you been interested in hunting or perhaps just curious about where to start? While there are many reputable resources to provide information and advice, it may seem overwhelming. For avid outdoorswoman Kari Buckvold, countless dedicated individuals from organizations like Learn to Hunt and Pheasant Forever Tallgrass Chapter helped to shape and nurture her interest in hunting, and she's grateful for their involvement in guiding her. Perhaps her story can also be a guide to you on your journey to start hunting!

Research is being done continuously to improve our understanding of the world around us, especially when it comes to aquatic ecosystems. One of the most helpful tools of research is citizen science! Relying on citizens to help collect and record data means an increase in the amount of data collected and allows research to be carried out over a larger area than perhaps the research team could cover on their own. For interested citizens in the Chicago area, simply going fishing can assist researchers involved in a partnership between Shedd Aquarium, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to better assess bass movements across the region. By reporting FLOY tags affixed to your catch, you can assist researchers in collecting data about how far bass move throughout the region's intricate water ecosystem. For interested citizens in the southwestern portion of the state, a program known as Illinois RiverWatch teaches citizens how to monitor water quality in their area. Additionally, citizen scientists work to collect aquatic microinvertebrates like crayfish, snails, and worms, which serve as bioindicators of their habitat, to better analyze water quality.

Much like the diverse waters of Illinois, the skies are equally so! Read about the kinglet and their uniquely brilliant display of crown feathers. Kinglets are small but hardy birds, always on the move and flitting about the trees. Learn more about this tiny, flashy bird, along with how they utilize such ostentatious coloring to their advantage.

2025 is a year of celebrating nature in Illinois, with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources commemorating 100 years as a state agency dedicated to conservation. OutdoorIllinois Journal will be featuring articles throughout the upcoming year to highlight the ongoing work of the agency and all of the, perhaps overlooked, achievements of its 100-year corporality.

This is just the beginning of the storylines you can discover in this edition of OutdoorIllinois Journal. OutdoorIllinois Journal is a collaborative effort led by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Divisions of Wildlife Resources, Natural Heritage, and Fisheries; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration; and the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. Funding for OutdoorIllinois Journal was made available through Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-147-T, the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund and the Fish Management Fund.

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Before the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Conservation History Prior to 1925

A highlight of 2025 is the centennial of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) inception. But just what does this mean? Read on to learn how the natural landscape of Illinois pre-IDNR compares to Illinois as we know it in 2025.

5/1/25 by Laura Kammin

Five large silver salmon laying on a concrete surface.

The Fascinating Journey of Coho Salmon in the Great Lakes {{What’s in a name? A salmon by any other name would be just as silver…}}

In an attempt to control invasive species, coho salmon were introduced to Lake Michigan in the 60s. Since then, coho salmon have become an integral part of Illinois’ Great Lakes ecosystem. Find out how Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery staff keep this impactful species stocked in Lake Michigan.

5/1/25 by Kayleigh Smith

Aquatic Organisms | Fish | Fishing

A hunter in camouflage gear leans against a tree on the edge of an agricultural field. The hunter is holding a shotgun in her right arm with the barrel resting on her left knee.

Gratitude for the Opportunities, Friends and Adventures Hunting Offers

A self-proclaimed “inner-city girl” with no childhood experiences in hunting, Kari Buckvold reflects on the friends and mentors in her adult life, who have inspired her passion for hunting. Learn more about her foray into hunting, along with tips and tricks that she credits for replacing feelings of intimidation with those of excitement when preparing for your next hunt.

5/1/25 by Kari Buckvold

Recreation | Hunting

A close-up of the dorsal fin of a green and tan fish being held in the palm of a researcher's hand. An orange tag protrudes from the back of the fin.

You Can Contribute to a Study on Bass Movements in Chicago

To learn more about largemouth bass in the Chicago River, Shedd’s Aquarium partnered with IDNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to mark bass using Floy tags. Fishermen and women are by far the most impactful group in helping to collect these tag numbers, as they are often able to cover more area and time throughout the year than biologists. Find out more about how you, as a citizen scientist, can help us better understand the Chicago River ecosystem.

5/1/25 by Austin Happel

Research | Research

Two students looking into microscopes examining samples to identify macro invertebrates.

Illinois RiverWatch Celebrates 30 Years of Community Science

Illinois RiverWatch is a decades-long community science program in which hundreds of volunteers help to collect data and monitor Illinois’ diverse aquatic ecosystem. Read about the new developments with the program, the dedicated work of volunteers across the state and other ways to connect with Illinois RiverWatch.

5/1/25 by Hannah Griffis, Danelle Haake

People | Habitat Management or Enhancement | Rivers and Lakes | Volunteers

A gray bird bright reddish orange tuft on top of its head. The bird's back, wings, and tail are olive with streaks of bright yellow and bars of black and white.

Kinglets: Tiny native songbirds with colorful crowns

Known for their beautifully bright crown feathers, kinglets are tiny yet energetic songbirds sometimes found in Illinois. Aside from their bright and distinguishing colors, kinglets can be recognized by the constant flicking of their wings.

5/1/25 by Sheryl DeVore

Wildlife | Birds

A fall scene of a lake under a bright partly cloudy sky. In the foreground are grasses along the shoreline of the lake. In the background trees fill the shoreline.

Understanding the Finances of Conservation: How the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts Provide Funding Through Hunter Purchases

The Pittman-Robertson (PR) Act of 1937 and the Dingell-Johnson (DJ) Act of 1950 are essential to establishing funding sources for conservation work in Illinois. Learn just how PR and DJ money is acquired, distributed, and utilized, as well as learn where you can glean first-hand experiences with the funds they provide.

5/6/25 by Kaleigh Gabriel