208th Meeting - Minutes

November 14, 2025 - 10:00 a.m.
Director’s Boardroom
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62701
and remotely via WebEx

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Angelo Capparella, Ms. Samantha Chavez, Dr. Michael Dreslik, Dr. Jeremie Fant (remote), Mr. Nathan Grider, Mr. Randy Schietzelt, Dr. Tih-Fen Ting, and Dr. Philip Willink.

OTHERS PRESENT: Joe Kath (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage), Kelly Neal (INPC), Valerie Njapa (INPC), Trent Thomas (IDNR Fisheries), Heather Osborn (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage ITA Coordinator), Brian Metzke (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage, Aquatic Ecologist), Natalia Maass (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage Database Program), Brooke Thurau (INPC), Michelle Bloomquist (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage), Ann Holtrop (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage)

Online: Leon Hinz (IDNR), Charles O’Leary (IDNR Division of Natural Heritage), Molly Koleczek, Tara Keininger, Nicholas Rodriquez, Kayla Tataum, James Garavaglia, Mark Alessi, Eric Riemer

1. Call to Order, Roll Call of Board Members, and Introduction of Guests

Chair Willink called the meeting to order at 10:02 A.M. and conducted the roll call. Seven voting Board members were in attendance, constituting a quorum. Dr. Willink welcomed the visitors and asked them to introduce themselves.

2. Adoption of Agenda

Mr. Schietzelt moved that the agenda be adopted. The motion was seconded by Dr. Dreslik. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Approval of Minutes from the 207^th Meeting on August 22, 2025

Draft minutes of the 207^th meeting had been distributed to Board members prior to the meeting by email. Dr. Dreslik offered an edit to page 5 clarifying his comment that listing criteria should include reviewing research approvals, regulatory reviews, and conservation plans. With that addition, Dr. Ting moved that the minutes of the 207^th meeting be approved. Dr. Capparella seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The minutes will be posted on the website.

4. Report from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

The Department’s report was distributed to the Board via email prior to the meeting. Ms. Holtrop.

Staffing updates were as follows:

IDNR Heritage hired a new District Biologist in Litchfield named Emma Launer.

IDNR is still in the process of filling the Natural Areas Manager position and the search is going well.

IDNR is currently conducting interviews for an administrative support position at Prairie Ridge Natural Area.

IDNR continues the process for backfilling positions that are vacated. When asked for priority positions, IDNR included one that would support the ESPB.

The revised Illinois list of endangered and threatened species now is approved and live. There has been one identified issue for the plant species Platanthera flava which should be the northern  Platanthera flava var. herbiola instead of Platanthera flava var. flava.

Administrative Rules for The Exotic Weed Act passed with some exceptions for cultivars. IDNR will have their first meeting on this topic in December.

There will be an upcoming Plant Summit in the works and an update should be provided soon.

IDNR is looking into updating their translocations policies. Ms. Holtrop says a plant policy is needed in the IDNR policy and procedures.

Dr. Dreslik shared that past DNR staff had asked him before to brainstorm the idea of translocation policies.

Ms. Hotrop said that discussions on “what translocation means,” need to take place. She postulates, “is it augmentation, introductions, reintroductions? Old policies need to be modernized.”

Conversation are continuing with IDOT on recommendations, expanded scope, MOUs, and data sharing involving ITAs.

Trent Thomas asks if there are any anticipated effects from the new rewilding law that goes into effect on January 1^st. Ms. Holtrop says no, they do not foresee any changes from the law. Mr Grider adds they feel as though the law reaffirms authorities the department already had and doesn’t change much.

5. Report from the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC)

An INPC report was distributed to the Board prior to the meeting via email.

Brooke Thurau, Natural Resources Advanced Specialist is developing materials for utility companies and municipalities to incorporate advanced coordination with the commission and avoid impacts to nature preserves. 

6. Report from the Chair of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board (Board)

Chair Willink provided a written report on his activities since the last meeting; the report is attached to these minutes.

Chair Willink thanks Michelle and Heather for their assistance as he has been getting up to speed with his new position as Chair of the Board.

He reminds all board members to complete their annual training and submit the materials to Vicki Fowler.

He inquires about Dr. Janice Coons past indication that she plans to step down from the board. Ms. Holtrop responds that she did not hear from her but will follow up. Dr. Fant shares that Dr. Coons had possibly spoken to Botanist Paul Marcum to possibly be her replacement.

Chair Willink shares the official E&T list came out October 31.

7. Approval to Post Minutes of the Amphibian/Reptile and Aquatic Invertebrate Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee (ESTAC) Meetings

Chair Willink invites comments on the minutes for the Amphibian and Reptile Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee meeting. With no comments, Mr. Schietzelt moved that the minutes be posted. Dr. Capparella seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The minutes will be posted on the website

Chair Willink invites comments on the minutes for the Aquatic Invertebrate Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee meeting. With no comments, Mr. Chavez moved that the minutes be posted. Mr. Schietzelt seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The minutes will be posted on the website

Chair Willink mentions there is still a need for the minutes from Terrestrial Invertebrate Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee and he will follow up with Dr. Hofmann.

8. FYI: USA Fish and Wildlife Service Proposing to Revise Regulations for Species Treated as Listed Due to Similarity of Appearance

Joe Kath shares On September 26, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a notice in the Federal Register proposing to remove "similarity of appearance" protections for 11 specific species counterparts. This action is framed as an effort to reduce paperwork and remove regulations deemed unnecessary. The only applicable species to Illinois is the Pallid Sturgeon and its counterpart the Shovelnose Sturgeon. IDNR prepared and submitted formal comments over concerns for the Pallid Sturgeon and the Shovelnose Sturgeon which was led by IDNR Fisheries. The heritage recommendations were for Shovelnose Sturgeon to retain its protections as Conservation LEOs have issues telling them apart. IDNR does not expect FWS comments back until January or later. Joe Kath also shares that many species will likely be impacted if this change goes through, for example, alligators and crocodiles.

Dr. Ting asks if the clause only applies to the species where they are living sympatrically? (where the species ranges overlap).

Joe Kath responds he guesses no. The similarity clause is specifically for giving authority to law enforcement.

Chair Willink mentions you can fish for the Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Wabash River but not in the Lower Mississippi.

Joe Kath comments it may apply for some species but not others, for example, the Mountain Lions and Florida Panthers.

Leon Hinz comments that within the Illinois Regulations, Shovelnose Sturgeon is protected where Pallid Sturgeon occurs, but is unsure how it works federally.

Joe Kath says he will send out the list of species and inform the board on what the formal decision is when it is known. He also mentions there has been no update on the removal of the word “harm” from the ESA definition.

9. Group Discussion – Species of the State of Illinois

Ms. Holtrop mentions that the premise of the Endangered Species Protection Act is that protection is afforded to species that reside in the state of Illinois. She suggests as we think about what we want the act to do and how we want conservation protection to occur, we have to think about what species are listed. When do we consider a species here or are we not sure if it’s not a resident (perhaps with species range shifts and expansions due to climate change.) Ms. Holtrop comments that the establishment of a species in the state and its conservation status may, or may not, be related. Where do we draw the line? Mr. Grider says species breeding and reproduction is a threshold for establishment as well as historic range.

The DNR facilitated by proposing draft language for consideration: a species that has "reproduced in or otherwise significantly used the area that is now the state of Illinois." This sparked debate on whether significant use, such as migration corridors or overwintering grounds, should be a habitat-based designation rather than a species-specific one. Questions were raised about current listings (e.g., Upland Sandpiper) that rely heavily on Illinois habitat during migration.

Chair Willink comments that current occupancy should consider a species lifespan. He questioned that if a species is found for 10-years in a stream, but the lifespan of an individual is only 2 years, is that enough evidence to showcase reproduction?

Dr. Fant adds that it is rarely assumed that plants arrived at their locations naturally.

The group questioned whether all resident species, including non-natives or invasives like the Armadillo, should be eligible for ESPA listing.

Dr. Ting and others focused on the practical challenge of new arrivals at the early stages of a climate-driven range shift. Should the state actively encourage their establishment or adopt a "wait-and-see" approach?

Mr. Joe Kath asked if the department should prioritize managing habitat for new arrivals that are utilizing specific Illinois ecosystems.

Suggestions from the chat included creating separate monitoring categories for range-shifting species and paying closer attention to federally listed species likely to enter Illinois.

Complex scenarios were noted, such as large mammals (bears, wolves) with no current breeding records, the legal status of a pregnant individual passing through the state, and aquatic species (e.g., Lake Sturgeon, Black Buffalo) where direct evidence of reproduction may be elusive.

The group acknowledged that the practical answer may differ by taxonomic group (e.g., plants, invertebrates, vertebrates).

This discussion flowed into the next agenda item.

10. Group Discussion – Future Discussion Topics and Priorities 

This discussion followed seamlessly from the previous agenda item.

Chair Willink listed the following topics: Delisting species that are difficult to survey or identify, regulations needed to accomplish conservation of endangered and threatened species, when a reintroduction becomes a native species, how is the decision made which species gets a species recovery plan and when. Ms. Holtrop adds: assessing a status, actions, and implementation. Dr. Ting suggests: how to decide when a reintroduction becomes native. Chair Willink added the underlying philosophy of the act.

11. 2026 Meeting Schedule

The following dates were discussed: February 20, May 15, August 28, and November 13th. Dr. Ting moved to approve the dates. Mr. Schietzelt seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

12. Other Business (topics may be discussion, but no actions taken)

Dr. Dreslik offered a moving tribute to Professor Emeritus Dr. John E. Ebinger, a foundational member of the committee, who passed away on October 31. The committee members observed a moment of silence in honor of Dr. Ebinger’s immense contributions and his lasting impact on natural heritage conservation in Illinois.

13. Public Comment Period 

There were no public comments.

14. Next Meeting Information 

February 20, 2026

15.  Adjournment

Chair Willink adjourned the meeting at 11:39 P.M. 

Activities for the period between the 207^th and 208^th Board meetings

• typed and distributed for comment minutes for the 207^th meeting, then addressed comments as I finalized tasks as Board secretary
• monitored the Board’s email account – responded to some messages, forwarded others to appropriate personnel at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
• familiarized myself with tasks of the Board chair, especially in regards to schedules and file organization
• reviewed minutes of the Amphibian/Reptile and Aquatic Invertebrate Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee (ESTAC) meetings
• previous Board chair Dr. Hoffman attended the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission meeting on September 9
• distributed six draft Incidental Take Authorizations and one Incidental Take Authorization amendment to Board members for potential review
• distributed to the Board the PowerPoint file by Zainab Syed and supporting reference from her presentation at the 22 August 2025 Board meeting
• prepared for the 208^th Board meeting – prepared the notice for the 208^th meeting, developed a draft agenda for the 208^th meeting, arranged to have the notice and draft agenda posted on the Board’s website and at the IDNR building, and distributed materials for the 208^th meeting to Board members