Illinois Department of Natural Resources

08/18/2024

The fair is almost over, have you been to the Archery Tent? Conservation World has a FREE archery range at the Illinois State Fair! Come enjoy the last day of the fair at Conservation World. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

08/18/2024

Have you been to the Office of Water Resources Tent? Visit the educational hands-on water table. You can make a dam or see the submerged hydraulic water roller and send your boat (or duck) on a journey!

The sediment table shows erosion and the differing degrees of waterpower. The bigger the flood, the bigger the damage, the more the soil can erode, taking houses, culverts, even roads.

You can also leave with a seed ball to take home and plant, and much more. Visit from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

08/18/2024

There's still one more day to visit Conservation World at the 2024 Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Conservation World, in the northwest corner of the fairgrounds, is just a walk or tram ride away. Free activities abound, including fishing, archery, a BB shooting range, a 2,800-gallon native fish aquarium, Voyageur Canoe rides, a visit with Smokey Bear, and much more. The fair ends Sunday, Aug. 18. Conservation is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

08/17/2024

Dunk a conservation police officer at Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair, starting at 2 p.m. Located outside of the Law Enforcement Tent!

08/17/2024

Experience the Voyageur Canoe, a 35-foot replica of the "Canot du Maitre" (the Montreal Canoe). This type of birchbark canoe historically would have been used by Native Americans and early French settlers on the Great Lakes and large rivers.

The Voyageur Canoe is at Conservation World on weekends during the fair at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Learn more about Conservation World at https://dnr.illinois.gov/conservationworld.html.

08/17/2024

IDNR staff and Fishing Has No Boundaries volunteers will be helping fairgoers in Conservation World that need assistance to enjoy an angling experience from an accessible dock near the Fisheries tent. Participants should sign up to participate in the Fisheries tent.

Fishing Has No Boundaries shares a mission with IDNR Division of Fisheries: to provide recreational fishing opportunities for all anglers with disabilities regardless of their age, race, gender or disability.

08/16/2024

Did you know this year IDNR is offering sensory-friendly hours during the Illinois State Fair? Between 9 and 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, visitors are invited to enjoy Conservation World during sensory-friendly hours. Open at the Buffalo Drive entrance, programming and exhibit adjustments will create a quieter, more calming environment for children and adults with sensory processing sensitivities.

08/16/2024

Coming soon to Giant City State Park visitors will have a new way to explore the outdoors with an Action Trackchair!

Designed to handle tougher terrain than a typical wheelchair, the Action Trackchair is an electronic off-road chair that allows visitors with limited mobility the opportunity to explore a designated trail that may not be suitable for traditional wheelchairs.

Visitors will soon have the ability to reserve the Trackchair for use on the Arrowwood Trail and for select interpretive programs. Get a sneak peek of the chair at the Illinois State Fair in Conservation World.

08/16/2024

Learn all about the Office of Oil and Gas in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair. Check out the sediment tubes and see how different densities of soil behave in water, feel what it’s like to drill through different geological conditions at the drill bucket station, and learn how oil is produced in the educational trailer. Visit daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 18.

08/15/2024

Learn all about the Office of Mines and Minerals in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair. The tent features an educational game, and kids are allowed to dig in the sandbox for a mineral that they can take home for their rock collection. Visit daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 18.

08/15/2024

Do you have a question for a biologist? Do you have an animal photo that you’d like identified? Stop by the Wildlife Tent in Conservation World during the Illinois State Fair! We are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

08/15/2024

Visit Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair through Sunday, Aug. 18 to enjoy a basket of delicious Copi Fish 🐟 tacos and burgers.

Copi is a healthful, responsibly caught, locally sourced fish choice. The tacos from our friends at the Flippin' Fish Shack are substantial, topped with pico de gallo, cabbage, and a secret-recipe sauce. Be sure to visit them for Copi, catfish and more!

And in case you haven't heard, the Copi brand is now a registered trademark! Visit https://choosecopi.com to learn more.

08/14/2024

Stop by the Family Fishing Tent in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair to learn about fishing and more. Van Grissom talks about fish spawning behavior.

08/14/2024

Don’t miss the Forestry Tent in Conservation World! Staff from Mason State Tree Nursery will be around to answer all your tree nursery questions. Ask a forester how to manage a forest, plant and trim trees, control forest pests and be a good land steward. While there, remember to get a photo with Smokey Bear! Smokey will greet fairgoers in the Forestry Tent at 11:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. daily.

08/13/2024

We are excited to see you at the First Lady's tent at the Illinois State Fair! IDNR’s Illinois State Museum is offering art activities, games, dig pits, cooking demonstrations, and so much more. While you’re at the First Lady’s tent make sure to check out the youth cicada art show!

08/12/2024

Did you know this year IDNR is offering sensory-friendly hours during the Illinois State Fair? Between 9 and 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13 and Saturday, Aug. 17, visitors are invited to enjoy Conservation World during sensory-friendly hours. Programming and exhibit adjustments will create a quieter, more calming environment for children and adults with sensory processing sensitivities.

08/12/2024

Make sure to visit the State Historic Sites Tent in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair!

08/12/2024

Have you been to the Birds, Bugs and Bee-yond Tent, yet? This year, we have a brand-new life-size eagle nest! Find us in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 18.

08/11/2024

Have you visited the Endangered Species Tent, yet? Learn all about the endangered species in Illinois and steps you can take to help. While you’re there make sure to check out the book nook, and the variety of educational games available! Find us in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 18.

08/10/2024

Make sure to drop by the State Historic Sites Tent where you can meet Abraham Lincoln! Then you can participate in Lincoln trivia, a log cabin quilt, and color your own Old Bob and Fido, Lincoln’s horse and dog! Daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair.

08/10/2024

Conservation World is the place to be at the Illinois State Fair! Come visit us at the Law Enforcement Tent, where you can try out the BB gun range. We have trained hunter safety instructors to assist you.

While you’re there, make sure to check out the adult cicada art show (youth show in the First Lady's Tent on Main Street) and ask any conservation law questions you may have for conservation police officers. The fair runs through Aug. 18.

https://dnr.illinois.gov/conservationworld.html

08/10/2024

We had tremendous fun celebrating Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday with fairgoers of all ages Friday in Conservation World.

Did you know wildfire prevention is one of the most critical issues affecting the nation’s forests and grasslands? More than 80% of wildfires are started accidentally or by careless or bad behavior.

Only you can prevent forest fires. Learn more at https://www.smokeybear.com/



Illinois State Fair
Governor JB Pritzker

08/10/2024

Did you know you can go caving at the Illinois Caverns located in Waterloo? Learn more about caving and other recreational activities, at the State Parks tent located in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair. We are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 18.
https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.illinoiscaverns.html

08/09/2024

Did you know Smokey Bear is turning 80 on Friday, Aug. 9?!

To celebrate, we are hosting a Smokey Bear Birthday Party at the amphitheater in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair.

Come get your photo taken with Smokey Bear at 11:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Happy birthday, Smokey!!

08/09/2024

Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie, the family of former IDNR Director Brent Manning (1991-2003), Smokey Bear, and others cut the ribbon to formally open Conservation World for the 2024 Illinois State Fair.

Conservation World 2024 is dedicated in honor of Manning, who was a nationally recognized advocate for conservation and natural resources stewardship. In his 12 years at the helm of IDNR, he shepherded the agency into an era of tremendous growth and modernization. Manning died in January at age 70.

Now, for the first time after two decades of cuts to IDNR, the department is regaining staffing and resources under Gov. Pritzker’s leadership. We are grateful for his unwavering support of IDNR and its mission.

Come see us daily in Conservation World from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 8-18.

08/08/2024

While you're there make sure to check out the Youth Cicada Art Show!

The First Lady's Tent at the Illinois State Fair is now open! Come join ISM for some fun!

08/08/2024

These eco-savvy kids are rocking sunglasses made from wheat straw! 🌾😎 Visit the Illinois EPA pavilion in Conservation World for your chance to win a pair!

We're just south of Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Don't miss out on all the fun! We're here until 7 PM🌍 https://bit.ly/3WvVxHu

08/08/2024

I don’t know about you, but we can’t wait any longer - the gates to the 2024 Illinois State Fair open today at 7 a.m. and the Conservation World gates open at 10 a.m. From fishing clinics to the archery range, there is so much to do, and we hope to see you there - It’s Showtime!

08/07/2024

From July 30 to Aug. 2, IDNR joined several organizations in welcoming two special guests from Springfield’s Sister City, Ashikaga, Japan.

Toshi Okunaka is a longtime translator for Sister City exchange delegations, and Michio Ohashi, is the former chief of staff at the Ashikaga International Association (AIA). In addition to visiting numerous historic sites and cultural attractions in the capital city, these special guests toured IDNR headquarters and met with agency leadership to discuss public policy, governance, and land use.

The next student exchange group from Ashikaga is scheduled to visit Springfield in November.