Mclean County Greenways Plan

This plan presents an up-to-date vision for greenways and provides a framework for establishing a regional system of interconnected greenways throughout McLean County and beyond. The plan presents goals and objectives in support of this vision and identifies priority future greenways and potential greenway linkages to other regions. It also… Continue reading

Lake Bloomington Watershed Plan

This is a management plan working to improve the water quality and stop pollution and chemicals from entering Lake Bloomington. It provides studies done testing the levels of chemical pollutants, sources of pollution, effects on wildlife, and possible solutions to these detrimental issues.  

Evergreen Lake Watershed Plan

This is a management plan to protect and improve the water quality of Evergreen Lake. Background information on the problems of pollution and runoff influencing is provided. Possible ideas to improve the situation of the water are given along with plans of implementation. It gives an overall action plan to… Continue reading

The Importance of Protecting Vulnerable Streams and Wetlands at the Local Level

This article makes the case for expanded state and local protection of vulnerable streams and wetlands. Vulnerable streams and wetlands include the very smallest streams and wetlands that do not have a permanent surface water connection to larger waterbodies, yet are still vital parts of the ecosystem. Headwater streams and… Continue reading

Local Water Policy Innovation

This document focuses on acting locally in order to most effectively address issues that can lead to national or global threats. Solutions are offered on how to get involved in the community, zoning laws, and local regulations and policies.  Local Water Policy Innovation 

Forest Conservation and Management

Forests in our agricultural or urbanized landscapes areespecially vulnerable to degradation. Since 1997, the CTAP biological monitoring program has systematically studied Illinois’ forests. This brochure summarizes the best scienceand data available regarding four major aspects of forest conservation and management.  Forest Conservation and Management

Conservation Design Resource Manual

The goal of this Resource manual is to provide ample information about conservation design principles and practices, and to provide the necessary language to enable communities to implement conservation design at varying levels. The document is structured by practice, so that communities new to conservation design can begin with cautious… Continue reading

Guidance for Developing Watershed Action Plans in Illinois

This manual presents an approach to watershed-based planning designed to ensure that local stakeholders play a central role in the development of comprehensive, multi-issue watershed plans. A watershed approach to planning for and managing land and water resources is not a new idea. The USEPA argues that groups working within… Continue reading

IL River Basin Comprehensive Plan

This Comprehensive Plan provides the vision, goals, objectives, desired future, and identifies the preferred alternative plan to restore the ecological integrity of the Illinois River Basin System. This plan documents the need for and potential scope of four components: a restoration program; a long-term resource monitoring program; a computerized inventory… Continue reading

Critical Trends Assessment Report, 2003

This assessment is a compilation of research articles looking at forestry, invasive species, and water quality and the effect they have on biodiversity and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of an area. They make suggestions about the direction the various locations are headed in terms of diversity and native species preservation…. Continue reading