Agencies
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Native Species
Introduction
This section of the plan focuses on maintaining viable populations of Native Species. Native Species for this Plan are those that were present in Illinois as wild populations at the time of statehood (3 December 1818). This includes a number of species that are now extinct, no longer present as wild populations in Illinois, or only occasionally seen in Illinois, and several that were considered extirpated but have been successfully reintroduced.
Illinois Stewardship Species: species where the Illinois landscape serves as a stronghold or otherwise has a high responsibility for maintaining the species existence in the wild.
Focal Monitoring Species: Native Species that are representative of a Natural Community Type or species assemblage that are still common enough for use in monitoring and assessing community or ecosystem health.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need: SGCN are those listed as Illinois endangered or threatened and those whose conservation status suggests they are at risk of extirpation (S-rank of S1, S2, S1S2, or S1S23).
Species of Greatest Information Need: species with S-ranks of SU (ranking unknown) or SH (species status includes only historic occurrence records). These species require survey effort (i.e., information) to develop or confirm conservation status.
Objectives for Conserving Illinois' Native Species
The first objective is to Implement Montitoring Programs to Evaluate the Conservation Status of Native Species by updating Conservation Status Ranks for Illinois' Species of Greatest Information Need.
The second objective is to implement IDNR's Species Recovery Process to increase the number of Native Species that are actively in the Recovery Process.
The third objective is to improve the conservation status of Illinois Stewardship Species to both improve the health and viability of these species and also to expand the distribution and number of populations within Illinois.
The fourth objective is to improve the Conservation Status of Species of Greatest Conservation Need to improve the health and viability of these species and also to expand the distribution and number of populations within Illinois.
Conservation Action Strategies to Address Threats to Native Species in Illinois
The Land Protection Strategy is designed to identify, prioritize, and protect Native Species' habitats.
The Land Stewardship Strategy is designed to identify, maintain, enhance, recover and restore habitat conditions for Native Species.
The Population Connectivty Strategy is focused on reducing fragmentation and improving connections within and between populations of Native Species.
The Native Species Health Strategy is designed to detect, control, and prevent invasive species and diseases from directly impacting the health of Native Species and degrading their habitats.
The Pollution Reduction Strategy is focused on reducing the magnitude and extent of non-point source pollution impacts on Native Species and their habitats.
The Native Species Recovery Strategy is focused on the implementation of the IDNR Recovery Process and on Federal Recovery efforts.
