18 / OutdoorIllinois May 2007

An expanded acknowledgment effort marks the 20thanniversary of the Acres for Wildlife program.

In 1985, the Illinois GeneralAssembly challenged theWildlife Habitat Commission toidentify the most pressing policyissues facing Illinois.

A key finding was the role ofthe private landowner in the

preservation of wildlife habitat. Control-ling approximately 95 percent of the55,645-square miles of Illinois, the pri-

vate landowner was then, and remainstoday, the backbone of conservation ofIllinois’ soils, waters and habitats.

In response to the report, fundingwas allocated and the Acres for WildlifeProgram expanded. The premise of thatprogram remains the same today, but20 years of knowledge, and the additionof new state and federal programs, havegreatly expanded the opportunitiesavailable to landowners.

After a Department of NaturalResources district wildlife biologistreceives a call from a landowner inter-

ested in the program, a site visit isscheduled to discuss wildlife goals andassess habitat management potential.Back in the office, the biologist writes upa plan that includes technical informa-tion related to the desired habitat pro-jects and opportunities available forfinancial and equipment assistance.

“While DNR biologists are often theprimary contact an interested landownerhas, after assessing their particularneeds we are able to quickly draw uponthe expertise and programs offered by avariety of local, state and federal pro-

Story By Kathy Andrews

May 2007 OutdoorIllinois / 19

grams, as well as programs offered byother habitat organizations,” explainedMike McCulley, Field Management sec-tion head for the Division of WildlifeResources. “Through this partnershipeffort we can create opportunities tomaximize benefits to the land andwildlife.”

An integral part of the program isacknowledging the initiative of thelandowner.

“For the 2006 program we haverevamped the landowner recognitioneffort, providing greater opportunities torecognize the dedication of five richlydeserving landowners each year,” saidKevin Woods, one of the DNR biologistsspearheading the recognition programrevitalization effort. “The contributions towildlife habitat from the private sector—regardless of geographic location, habi-tat management practice employed,landscape scale or targeted species—isenormous. Recognizing their time anddedication is a small token of our appre-ciation for all they are doing for Illinois.”

Harlan and Anne TiptonGrowing up, Harlan Tipton spent con-

siderable time hunting, trapping andfishing along the Pecatonica River innorthern Illinois, and he grew to appreci-ate the bounty of natural treasures theregion held.

That interest in nature continued intoadulthood, but as a full-time farmer ofmarginal river bottom lands that were alltoo often at the mercy of the PecatonicaRiver, the notion (or perhaps desire) ofputting aside land for wildlife seemedonly a dream. Tipton’s participation withthe Winnebago County Soil and WaterConservation District gave him theopportunity learn of new state, federaland private programs. He quickly tookadvantage of available conservationprograms, setting aside active farmlandand activating his dream.

But Tipton was not content at justpracticing conservation measures. Hehas become a strong advocate as well.

According to Brian Russart,Resource Conservationist for the Win-nebago County SWCD: “Harlan’s stand-ing within the farming community makeshis a strong voice for conservation, andthousands of acres have been enrolledin conservation programs as a result ofhis encouragement.”

“Harlan and Anne Tipton haveinstalled virtually every type of habitatenhancement practice available on theirland,” explained DNR Wildlife BiologistDoug Dufford. “Not only have they plant-ed cool- and warm-season grasses,food plots, trees and shrubs, and creat-ed wetlands and restored habitats, theyactively maintain these areas throughprescribed fire, mowing and exoticspecies control measures.”

Orrin and Pat BangertSince 1986, Orrin and Pat Bangert

have created a mosaic of habitats ontheir land, and watched as the wave ofhabitat improvement projects spreadacross surrounding properties.

Situated only 1 mile from the highestglaciated land in the state, the Bangertshave dubbed their northeastern Illinoisfarm “Bluestem.” Even at this elevation,wetlands and a sedge meadow exist,and a water-control structure installedinto a small gully created an ephemeralwetland that has become the seasonalhome for the state-threatened Bland-ing’s turtle.

District Wildlife Biologist Doug Dufford commends Harlan Tiptonfor his work to restore habitat onhis Winnebago County property.

Along with his wife Pat, OrrinBangert has led in the creation of a grassroots habitat co-op innortheastern Illinois.

20 / OutdoorIllinois May 2007

Extensive habitat plantings round outthe family’s conservation practices,including high-quality prairie grasses,2,200 wildflower root plugs and a treeand shrub windbreak. Delaying mowinguntil after the nesting season meansthat birds flourish on the 20 acres setaside as a Christmas tree plantation.

The Bangerts are in the process ofenrolling 25 of their 140 acres into a per-manent conservation easement. Thesehighest-quality habitat acres, which werenever tilled, will be protected in perpetuityfor future generations to enjoy.

“The take-home message for theBangerts is how successful their effortshave been in the 20 years they’veworked on improving habitat,” Ray Eis-brener, DNR wildlife biologist said.“They are active in a grassroots habitatco-op with about 25 landowners in atwo-section area. The entire area is pri-vately owned, and yet the landscapeappears as if the state or county ownhundreds of acres in these sections.The Bangerts are instrumental in thisco-op, helping other landowners withprescribed burns, prairie seed collectionand plantings.”

Marty and Kris TravisIn rural Livingston County, Marty and

Kris Travis have made a commitment tomake a living off the land settled byMarty’s family in 1830, and to do sooperating under the principle of diversi-fied farming.

Much of their production harkensback to practices in place when the farmwas settled 176 years ago. Heritage veg-etables grow in the garden. Maple sap isharvested and boiled into syrup. Paw-paws, raspberries, wild cherries, gin-seng, wild plum, wild grape, bittersweetand wild leeks are harvested from thewoodland. Honey from bees working thevegetable gardens, orchard and prairie iscollected and sold. Downed trees areturned into Shaker-style furniture, withpost-production branches and wasteheating the home and syrup boiler.

“The Travises have been workingsince the 1980s to restore and preservethe landscape and essence of an 1830sfarm,” said Darryl Coates, the DNRwildlife biologist nominating the family forthe wildlife landowner recognition pro-

Returning their Livingston County family farm to a circa-1830s

landscape has been the goal of Marty and Kris Travis.

Over the years, the Masons addedground, buying rough land with poor tim-ber and bad fertility. The grounds othersdidn’t want Paul and Cathy consideredas “grounds with personality.”

To help achieve their goals, Paulheld two jobs and Cathy worked to paybills and buy groceries. Their acreageslowly grew and they worked to heal theland. By the early 1980s they had savedenough to add his parents’s farm to theirgrowing estate.

“In the late 1980s, the Masonsenrolled some of the ground into thenew Conservation Reserve Program,”explained Mike Chandler, local DNR

district wildlife biologist. “Today, theyhave more than 100 acres in CRP andthe Conservation Reserve Enhance-ment Program. The farm remains awork in progress, with ongoing work toconvert some of the CRP land fromcool-season grasses to warm-seasongrasses.”

Due to health problems, Paul retiredearlier than expected and they fell just afew acres short of their 500-acre goal.With Cathy’s retirement, they now focustheir time on caring for the farm.

“We try to take care of the land, andnow in our retirement, it is helping totake care of us,” Paul said.

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Paul and Cathy Mason have worked tirelessly since the 1960s

to acquire and restore lands in Morgan County.

gram. “But their dedication to the land ismuch deeper. They are committed tohelping youth develop an appreciation oflocal history, and in sharing their experi-ences with landowners and biologists soothers may gain from their work.”

Management of the farm hasinvolved a wide variety of wildlife activi-ties, such as DNR-authorized wildturkey releases, seasonal bird counts, amussel survey, and construction, instal-lation and maintenance of wildlife nest-ing structures. Native grass restorationand agro-forestry and silviculture man-agement practices have improved soilconditions and habitat for game andnon-game species.

For the Travises, landowner respon-sibility goes beyond conservation of theland and wildlife to preservation of ourrural heritage.

Paul and Cathy MasonIn the early 1960s, Paul and Cathy

Mason bought their first Morgan Countyfarm, 13 acres of very rough pasture,with a goal of someday acquiring 500acres—big plans for two newlywedswithout any money.

Jon and Leah WashburnJon and Leah Washburn are proud of

their accomplishments as stewards of theland, and it shows in the commitmentthey make to showcase their property asa DNR private land demonstration site.

In the early 1990s, the Washburnsacquired a small tract of land for the siteof their archery business. As businessgrew, so did the acreage and desire todevelop the area for habitat and huntingpurposes.

“The Washburns have shared theirexperiences with landowners by hostinga woodland management workshop andmeetings of the local chapters of theNational Wild Turkey Federation andQuail Unlimited,” explained Gary Potts,DNR district wildlife manager based inVandalia. “But, probably more impor-tantly are the subtle messages of landstewardship and giving back to the com-munity that are sent out each time they

sponsor a DNR hunter safety educationclass or a NWTF Jakes or Women in theOutdoors event.”

What the Washburns learned overtime and by acquiring adjacent proper-ties was the diversity of habitat typesthat a landowner can work on to posi-tively influence wildlife habitat. On theirfirst property, they focused on shrub andtree plantings, and on the second prop-erty they added a native prairie, a pond,food plots and shrub plantings. Efforts

on the third tract included brush pilesand fence row management, a largetree planting, a new fence row and foodplot demonstration areas. Eventually,the Washburns completed their goal ofworking with all the habitat types: wet-land, woodland, cropland and grassland.

Making a DifferenceThese five landowners were recog-

nized for their efforts to improve theacreage they have been entrusted with,and have proven that whether on mar-ginal floodplain lands, overgrazed pas-tures or virtually untouched soils, a littletime and TLC can improve land for thebenefit of wildlife, yourself and futureresidents.

Getting started

Landowners interested in participating in the Department’sAcres for Wildlife program can find contact information for

their district wildlife biologist at www.dnr.state.il.us/orc/wildliferesources/contacts.htm.

A great reference tool for landowners interested in enhancingthe wildlife value of their property, “Creating Habitats andHomes for Illinois Wildlife” provides the background informationneeded to help you plan a project with confidence. Stunning pho-tographs illustrate chapters on grasslands, prairies, woodlands,wetlands, croplands, backyards and more. Softback. 212 pages.$25. Available through the DNR Gift Shop (see inside back coverfor contact information).

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Showcased as a private land demonstration site in southeasternIllinois is the property owned byJon and Leah Washburn, picturedwith biologist Gary Potts.