EAST PEORIA, Ill. – February 22, 2010 – More than 450 acres of wilderness quality wetland habitat along the Illinois River is being protected and will be managed for public use thanks to a three way partnership between Ducks Unlimited (DU), the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The newly acquired property, known to locals as "Pluckeman's Slough," is located across the river from Browning, IL about 60 miles southwest of Peoria.

Announcement of the new acquisition occurred during the annual Ducks Unlimited state convention at the Par-a-Dice Hotel in East Peoria. According to DU representatives, IDNR is acquiring the Pluckeman's Slough property with grant funds that DU helped obtain from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation—a New York based charity that supports environmental land protection. Grant funds from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation also were critical to the deal and used earlier by DU to consolidate ownership of Pluckeman's Slough and to hold it for future IDNR purchase. The Illinois Conservation Foundation is facilitating the final sale transaction by administering acquisition funds on behalf of IDNR.

Pluckeman's Slough is a winding, 1.5 mile long watercourse that links the Illinois River with Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area (SFWA). According to DU, Sanganois SFWA is the largest expanse of undeveloped wetland habitat remaining in the Illinois River valley. Because the wetlands, bottomland forest and backwater lakes in this vast and remote area are only accessible by boat, Pluckeman's Slough is a strategically important land parcel for both long term habitat conservation and recreational access.

"This acquisition is great news for waterfowl hunters, canoeists and other outdoor enthusiasts," said IDNR Director Marc Miller. "We appreciate DU's leadership, dedication and commitment to acquiring public lands for waterfowl and for sportsmen."

Commenting on the acquisition, DU Regional Biologist Eric Schenck remarked that conservation partnerships like this one with the Illinois Conservation Foundation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are critical during times of tight state budgets and limited private funding. "We can't sit idly by and wring our hands in despair," said Schenck. "Future generations depend on all of us to do the right thing and advance conservation even during the most trying of times."

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1995 to support the programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Biologist Contact:
Eric Schenck, Illinois Regional Biologist, Ducks Unlimited
eschenck@ducks.org
309-224-5651

Media Contact:
Kristin Schrader, Public Affairs Coordinator, Ducks Unlimited
kschrader@ducks.org
734-623-2000