IDNR awards $1 million to nature stewardships throughout Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Nearly $1 million is going to a series of nature stewardship programs across the state — about a quarter of that funding will be sent to Central Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the grants on Thursday, saying they are a part of the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant program. It aims to increase the delivery of land and water stewardship activities to natural areas permanently protected within the system of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC).

The following grants were awarded for Central Illinois programs during fiscal year 2025:

• $65,458 to the Ballard Nature Center in Effingham County
  • To be used for the purchase of supplies and equipment to expand the volunteer stewardship, including protective equipment for controlled burns and a UTV.
• $99,885 to Grand Prairie Friends in Coles County
  • To be used for the enlistment of staff and the purchase of supplies to support fire break installation, invasive species control, and overseeding.
• $80,982 to the ParkLands Foundation in McLean County
  • To be used for the enlistment of contractual services for invasive species control and prescribed fire and the purchase of equipment to facilitate additional stewardship activities.

Funding for the grant program is derived from a portion of the Illinois Natural Areas Acquisition Fund, which must be used by the IDNS for the acquisition and stewardship of natural areas. More than $2.7 million in grants was awarded between 2021 and 2024.