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Governor JB Pritzker Illinois.gov Contact IDNR DNR A to Z

Division of Education 2024 State Fair

The theme the IDNR Division of Education chose for the 2024 Illinois State Fair was Illinois Endangered and Threatened Species. On this page and through various links, you will find the information presented in the tent during the fair.

Highlighted Species

Mammals
     Franklin's ground squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii) [Illinois threatened]
     gray bat (Myotis grisescens) [state and federally endangered]
     Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) [state endangered]

Birds
     greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) [state endangered]
     least tern (Sternula antillarum) [state and federally threatened]
     northern harrier (Circus hudsonius) [state endangered]
     piping plover (Charadrius melodus) [state and federally endangered]

Reptiles
     Snakes
     eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) [state endangered and federally threatened]
     Great Plains ratsnake (Pantherophis emoryi) [state endangered]

     Turtles
     Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) [state endangered]

Amphibians
     Frogs and Toads
     Illinois chorus frog (Pseudacris illinoensis) [state threatened]

     Salamanders
     spotted dusky salamander (Desmognathus conanti) [state endangered]

Fishes
     lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) [state endangered]
     redspotted sunfish (Lepomis miniatus) [state threatened]

Invertebrates
      Insects
      Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) [state and federally endangered]
      rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) [state and federally endangered]

     Mussels
     orangefoot pimpleback (Plethobasus cooperianus) [state and federally endangered]

Plants
     Mead’s milkweed (Asclepias meadii) [state endangered]
     royal catchfly (Silene regia) [state endangered]
     showy lady’s-slipper orchid (Cypripedium reginae) [state endangered]