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IDNR Coastal Management Program
August 2018
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Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham celebrates the harbor's ADA-accessible canoe and kayak launch at the last Explore the Lake Michigan Water Trail event of the summer.
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Thank you to our Explore the Lake Michigan Water Trail Partners!
On August 3, we celebrated the final Explore the Lake Michigan Water Trail event of 2018 at the new ADA accessible canoe and kayak launch in Waukegan Harbor. These family-focused events included guided, beginner-friendly paddling experiences, water safety demonstrations, fishing, nature crafts, walking tours of coastal habitats, and more - all provided by more than 25 local, state, and federal partners! These events would not have been possible without the support of the following agencies and organizations:
Village of Winthrop Harbor, Village of Beach Park, City of Waukegan, Waukegan Port District, Waukegan Park District, Zion Park District, National Park Service - Recreation, Trails and Conservation Program, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Westrec Marina Management, Lake County Nature Network, Lake Forest Open Lands Association- Center for Conservation Leadership, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, Shedd Aquarium, Faith in Place, Lake County Forest Preserves, U.S. Coast Guard, Waukegan Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, Wildlife Discovery Center, Great Lakes Surf Rescue, Illinois Paddling Council, Lake County Health Department, Lake County Audubon Society, Waukegan Harbor Citizens Advisory Group & the League of Women Voters of Lake County.
With the event series complete, we will begin a series of public meetings to gather community input as part of a visioning process for the approximately 10-mile stretch of the Lake Michigan water trail from the City of North Chicago to the Wisconsin border. For more information about the upcoming planning process, visit: https://paddleillinoiswatertrails.org/events.
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Calumet Collaborative Illinois State Agency Task Force Achieves Much for the Region
The IDNR Coastal Management Program works closely with Calumet Collaborative, a nonprofit that catalyzes innovative partnerships between Illinois and Indiana, to support the diverse communities, important natural areas, and powerful industrial heritage of the Calumet region. One way in which we partner with the Collaborative is by coordinating the Illinois State Agency Task Force. Governor Rauner appointed the Illinois State Agency Task Force in summer 2016 through Executive Order 2016-09. The Task Force brought together four state agencies - IDNR (Coastal Management and Historic Preservation), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity - to leverage state resources for Collaborative initiatives and the region as a whole.
In two years, the Task Force achieved great progress. Together, our agencies funded more than $17M in projects benefiting the Calumet. These grants focused, among many topics, on improving infrastructure, recreational opportunities, and water quality. Led by the Collaborative, our agencies provided technical expertise and resources as a part of two partnerships supporting the Illinois International Port District. And, each of our agencies committed to a project that recognizes the importance of Pullman National Monument, and that connects this historical site to the broader region. As noted in the governor’s executive order, the Task Force sunset in June 2018. To read the Task Force final report and other information about our work, please visit the Calumet Collaborative website here.
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Coastal Management Program is now on social media! 
Did you hear? The IDNR Coastal Management Program joined the world of social media, and launched a Facebook page at the end of July!
We look forward to connecting with you, and sharing more about our program and the work that we do together. We would love to continue to build our social network. Please Like our page as your organization or yourself! You can find the Facebook page here.
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Diane Tecic shares Lake Michigan's story
Coastal Management Program Director, Diane Tecic, speaks to Lake Michigan's immense importance in the latest issue of the Lake Forest Open Lands Association publication, Grass Roots. In the feature - Lake Michigan: More than Meets the Eye - Diane provides her perspective on the lake's value, the critical role of our partners like Lake Forest Open Lands Association in Great Lakes protection, and the opportunities for all of us to become Great Lakes Champions. Read the full issue here! |
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Engaging in Great Lakes Issues
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Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Welcomes Five Inductees
The Illinois Conservation Foundation announced its selection of this year's inductees to the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame: Diane Banta, Jerry Beverlin, David F. Grohne, Sam Oliver, and Steve Widowski. The new Hall of Fame members will be honored at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on August 18 and at the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Gala in Springfield on September 21. See the press release for more information on these impressive inductees!
Great Lakes, Great Issues Fall Lecture Series - Begins September 12
Lake Forest Open Lands Association presents an informative and engaging three-lecture series. Join leading research scientists working on the Great Lakes’ most influential environmental, biological, and geological issues and how they affect our daily lives. The first of these lectures, "The Perils of Plastic" with Dr. Sherri (Sam) Mason of the State University of New York, Fredonia, will take place on Wednesday, September 12 from 7-9 pm. Dr. Mason’s work is at the forefront of research on plastic pollution within freshwater ecosystems. All lectures are FREE but registration is required at www.LFOLA.org.
Save the Date - Delta Institute is Celebrating its 20th Anniversary on September 26
Exciting news! Delta Institute is 20! Help Delta celebrate on September 26 from 6-9 pm at Savage Smyth in Chicago. Visit here for more information on the event and purchasing tickets.
CMAP's On to 2050 Launch Event - October 10
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is hosting its On to 2050 Launch in Millennium Park from 10am-12pm on October 10. This event celebrates the region's next comprehensive plan - developed with your input! Visit here to register for the event.
Illinois Sustainability Award Registration is Open!
Consider celebrating this year’s recipients of the Illinois Sustainability Award! This signature sustainability event, recognizing organizations who have positively implemented environmental change, will be on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson Boulevard. The Illinois Sustainability Award, the nation’s longest running preeminent state environmental and sustainability award, has been presented by the Illinois Sustainability Technology Center since 1987 to organizations who have achieved outstanding progress in environmental stewardship. The morning technical symposium will focus on the water/energy nexus. Registration starts at $60 for the morning session only, $100 for the luncheon only and $150 for all-day admission. You can register here.
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Impact 100 Chicago Transformational Grants - Opened August 20
Chicago local non-profits are eligible for up to $100,000 in funding for grant proposals that focus on one of five areas: culture, education, family, health, or sustainability. Application opens on August 20. Letters of inquiry are due by September 28 and full grant applications are due by December 14. Visit here for more information.
Freshwater Future Grants - Due October 1
Freshwater Future is now accepting applications from nonprofits with a budget of $200,000 or less for their 2018 grant program. The awards cover project expenses and activities that promote water protection in the Great Lakes basin, which can be done through influencing community or individual behavior, addressing corporate conduct, or encouraging good public policies. Read more about this and other grant opportunities here.
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Share your Announcement!
Would you like your event announcement to be included in our next newsletter? Email your submissions to DNR.CMP@illinois.gov
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The IDNR Coastal Management Program is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environmental, economic, and social value of Illinois’ Great Lakes coast. We invest in building healthy ecosystems and resilient communities by providing expertise, funding, and other resources for community-driven and forward-thinking efforts within our Lake Michigan coastal region.
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