Ducks Unlimited’s Illinois River Water Quality Initiative has assisted 25 private landowners in ten counties treat nearly 2,000 acres of cropland. This was accomplished by implementing multi-purpose soil, water and wetland conservation practices that capture storm water run-off, trap sediment and reduce nutrient levels in downstream creeks, rivers and lakes.

In addition, three special projects—Wightman Lake, Crane Lake and Salt Creek—are underway to demonstrate the value of restoring larger wetlands aimed at improving water quality associated with small, medium and large tributaries of the Illinois River. These three projects alone will restore approximately 1,100 acres of wetlands.

This successful and popular program is being administered in close cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy and other partners who provide landowners with technical assistance and help DU with project monitoring.

“I am very pleased with the number of landowners who have taken advantage of this program and with the cooperation that has developed between DU and other partners towards this important effort,” said Senator Richard Durbin who supported the initiative during the past three fiscal years. “Innovative programs like this are needed to help farmers address conservation issues that affect all Illinois citizens.”