Showing posts with label Conservation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conservation. Show all posts

Monday, May 11, 2015

May is Invasive Species Month

May is Invasive Species Month

While you're taking a few minutes to surf Facebook, Twitter, and who knows what else, remember that May is Invasive Species Month.  For some, you maybe asking, what is an invasive species?
invasive species

Invasive species are plants, animals, and other organisms that have been introduced outside their natural habitat.   With little to no predators, this allows for high reproductive success which causes problems and destruction in their new environment both physical and economical.  The biggest problem we have is the number of invasive species.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Home Run for Illinois because of Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act

Home Run for Illinois
Because of 
Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration 
and 
Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act

The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act has generated more than "$15 billion to conserve fish, wildlife resources and support outdoor recreation opportunities" since they were enacted.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Get the Kids Outdoors


Anyone I talk to remembers always playing outside as a kid.  "Come home when the street lights come on" or "Come home when it gets dark" is what I remember from growing up. Today's generation of children do not play outside as much as generations that came before them.  Recently, while driving home from a fishing trip we spotted two little boys playing in the mud at their home.  It was a great site to see as unfortunately, you never see children playing outside anymore.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Illinois Conservation Congress 2014

Illinois Conservation Congress 2014


This past weekend Capitol Outdoors attended Conservation Congress with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

"The mission of the Illinois Conservation Congress is to give the Illinois Department of Natural Resources constituencies a formal process to propose and advocate actions that can be taken by elected and appointed officials to protect and conserve the natural resources of the State of Illinois. The goal of Conservation Congress is to ensure through professional management that sustainable use, recreational opportunities and enjoyment of these resources is available for this and future generations. Conservation Congress began in 1993 and was modeled after the General Assembly to include representatives from various state interest groups. The process was discontinued in 2003, and then reconstituted in 2009. During the last convening of Conservation Congress in April of 2010, Governor Pat Quinn signed an executive order directing IDNR and Conservation Congress participants to develop proposals for funding clean water, land acquisition, and department operations and create programs to increase public recreational access. That direction served as the basis for the IDNR’s new sustainability package which passed out of the General Assembly and was signed by the governor in late 2012. The sustainability package will generate between $30-33 million per year in new revenue for the IDNR." (http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/conservationcongress/Pages/default.aspx)

Capitol Outdoors wanted to write a post about Conservation Congress to inform you all how important and educational it was. Over the past year the IDNR has had several regional meetings to discuss priorities to interested parties. They also have hosted several webinars in-which we have participated in. You can still watch these webinars by clicking here. The topics of concern were; Habitat Restoration & Protection, Land & Water Management, Outdoor Recreation, Partnerships to Promote Education & Volunteerism, and Communications.

On April 12 - 13, 2014 the Director of the IDNR Marc Miller hosted organizations from across the state; these organizations are wide ranging from environmental groups to outdoor recreational organizations. During these few days we worked together to help the IDNR prioritize their agenda.


That is why we write this today. Capitol Outdoors noticed the lack of involvement and numbers from outdoors men and women. This is another example of how we are being beaten at a grassroots level. During the Conservation Congress we voted on top priorities. For example in one of the breakdown units that Capitol Outdoors attended we listed where Conservation Police should spend most of their investigative time. Capitol Outdoors voted for Wildlife/Fish Investigations however, Environmental Investigations gained a larger percentage of the vote.  Now, I'm not saying that environmental protection is not important, but I just feel investigating those crimes regarding wildlife and fish are more important. Someone somewhere will say if we had more Conservation Officers in the field they would be able to cover more ground and do more investigating. It goes hand in hand, more Conservation Officers, more Investigating and More funding. The entire group voted on this as well and we overwhelming decided that the IDNR needs to hire more Conservation Officers. 

There you have it. Just one issue and it greatly affects us all.

All Capitol Outdoors is trying to say is next year outdoors men and women need to come to this event. You need to stay informed and let your voice be heard. Once we get more information, we will make sure to send it to all of our subscribers as well as our Facebook and twitter friends.

Remember to Enjoy the Outdoors, Good luck and stay safe.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Federal Duck Stamp Program 80th Anniversary- March 16, 2014

First Federal Duck Stamp.
Design by J.N. "Ding" Darling
courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife Service

The Federal Duck Stamp turns "80" on Sunday. This program is a vital tool for wetland conservation. Did you know that ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System? This is a great reason why the Federal Duck Stamp Program has been called one of the most successful conservation programs ever started.
Image Courtesy of Ducks Unlimited

The Federal Duck Stamp is required for Migratory Bird hunting, however it is not just a hunting license. People can also purchase the duck stamp as their entry pass into Natural Wildlife Refuges.

Many people also collect these stamps which have significant meaning in the realm of hunting and conservation.  Ducks Unlimited said once that it would be a good idea to purchase an extra Duck Stamp.  The money is going to be put to good use and you get to keep the extra stamp and add it to your collection.  You could look back on all the years you went hunting and see how the stamp design has changed.  What a great thing to start. 


Since its introduction in 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp program has generated more than $800 million, which has been used to purchase or lease over 6 million acres of wetlands habitat in the United States. 
You can view the entire "Stamp Law" here.

You may think that the Federal Duck stamp only benefits waterfowl, however different animals that rely on the wetlands are also greatly impacted. People who enjoy the wetlands and natural habitats also enjoy the benefits of this program. It certainly is a benefit to many different organizations.

Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest
The best part about the Federal Duck Stamp is that it is the only federally legislated art contest worldwide. Each year five species are selected for which the artists can choose from.  For 2014, the species are:
Brant
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
The contest has already begun for 2014, artists are busy preparing their works.  They can begin submitting their artwork June 1, 2014.

You can check here for the 2014 Duck Stamp Contest Rules and Regulations

Step back in time and take a look through past duck stamps. It is interesting to take a look at the various images and how wildlife art has changed.
You can check the image gallery of past duck stamps here

So, next time when you go to purchase your hunting license remember that the money for the Federal Duck Stamp gets put to good use and you as an outdoorsman or woman are supporting Conservation efforts throughout the United States. 

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe. 
Capitol Outdoors