Illinois Mixed Bag: DNR seeking campground hosts at many sites

Springfield — DNR is seeking campground hosts for the 2025 camping season for state parks, recreation areas, and historic sites across Illinois.

Campground hosting is a perfect position for anyone who enjoys camping and helping other people. Hosts are often the first face to greet state park visitors. Campground hosts have the privilege of free camping in their own RVs, motor homes, or trailers at designated spots within state parks.

“Above all, the quality all campground hosts possess is a passion for working with the public,” said Calvin Beckmann, chief of parks and recreation for DNR. “If hosting sounds appealing to you, we would love to hear from you.”

The following DNR sites currently have host positions available:

Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, Fox Ridge State Park, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area, Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area, Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area, Illini State Park, Starved Rock State Park , Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, the World Shooting and Recreation Complex, Hidden Springs State Forest, Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area, Prophetstown State Park, and Rock Cut State Park.

Anyone interested in being a campground host can complete and submit a campground host program packet found on the DNR website.

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Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants Awarded

Springfield — More than $40,000 in grants for 26 Illinois schoolyard habitat action projects have been awarded by DNR and the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the 2025 application period.

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program supports the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on school grounds or other public places. Funding is provided through donations to the ICF. The 2025 grant recipients and their projects are listed on the DNR website.

“The program provides students and educators with opportunities to create native habitat in their schoolyards and increase the use of native plants in Illinois landscapes while benefitting wildlife species,” DNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said.

The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation is the major sponsor of this program. Nearly $394,000 in Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant funding has been distributed since the program’s inception.

The next program application window will open this spring through Dec. 3. Apply online at the DNR education grants website. For additional information call 217-524-4126 or email dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov.

National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Conducting Youth Writing Contest

Hayward, Wis. — The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, of Hayward, Wis., has received $25,000 from the Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation to conduct an annual writing contest for kids ages 12 through 15, according to Emmett Brown, hall of fame executive director.

The Lindsay Sale-Tinney Awards have celebrated aspiring young outdoor communicators since 2011. Starting this year, the annual contest will be offered as an outreach program of the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, Brown said.

The contest will award three places to stories written about the entrants’ most memorable fishing trips of the year. Entries from 2025 will be accepted through January 2026.

“Part of the fun of fishing is in the preparation, traveling, and being outdoors with family and friends, so we encourage contestants to include content about things they see and do before, during and after their outing,” said Lisa Snuggs, contest committee chair.

Stu Tinney, inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in 2009, provided the seed money for the award named in honor of his late wife, Lindsay Sale-Tinney.

“I am beyond thrilled that the Hall of Fame is providing a new home for the Lindsay Sale-Tinney Award,” Tinney said.

Contest information is posted on the hall of fame website.