How can we protect wildlife in Illinois?

Illinois is home to a diverse range of wildlife and habitats, that is part of what makes it such an interesting place to live. But sadly, many of these species and habitats are in danger of disappearing. There are around 424 Illinois species that are currently listed as threatened or endangered by the state, and 24 species that are on the federal endangered species list. Illinois has lost over 90% of its wetlands and 99.99% of its natural prairie, and with that we have seen a dramatic decline in species diversity. We know how important it is to conserve wildlife and the places they live, but recovering endangered species requires investing in action. 

Illinois agencies and organizations work extremely hard to help protect the state’s wildlife, but could use much more support. Luckily, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help fill funding gaps and meet the needs of state wildlife conservation efforts, including here in Illinois. Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is a bipartisan federal bill that, if passed, would be the most significant investment in wildlife conservation in a generation. This bill would dedicate $1.4 billion annually toward proactive conservation efforts for at-risk species by helping restore habitat, control invasive species, reconnect landscapes, address emerging diseases and more. It would invest up to $98 million annually in wildlife conservation efforts led by Tribal Nations, and support state, tribal, private and national efforts to recover threatened and endangered species. The act would provide state and territorial wildlife agencies with up to $1.4 billion annually so they can implement their federally approved Wildlife Action Plans.

Wildlife Action Plans serve as “the blueprints for conserving our nation’s fish and wildlife and preventing endangered species.” They are developed in collaboration with scientists, conservationists, private landowners, and members of the public in order to determine priority areas and needs in conserving a state’s wildlife and habitats. Although significant progress has been made in wildlife conservation because of these plans, species continue to become threatened and endangered because a lack of funding limits how much states can really do to help. Current federal funding is less than 5% of the actual amount needed to meaningfully implement these plans. That is where Recovering America’s Wildlife Act comes in and would provide the $1.4 billion needed to implement these plans.

Here in the Prairie State, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Action Plan includes information about species of greatest conservation need here in Illinois. The plan’s creators identified these species as the most vulnerable or at-risk of disappearing. The plan lays out management strategies and goals that many agencies, conservation groups, and scientists use to guide their efforts.

You can help

Our state’s birds, turtles, bats, frogs, and bees are not the only species that need our help. There are many species across Illinois and the country that are in danger of disappearing forever. We have the tireless efforts of scientists, conservationists, activists, and citizens like yourself to thank for the progress that has already been made in conserving wildlife. But now, we have the opportunity to do so much more. By supporting Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, we can help guarantee a brighter future for the species we share this planet with. Now is the time to act to recover America’s wildlife.