Environment

Spring Wildflowers in Shawnee National Forest featured on national map

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Friday, April 13th, 2012, 5:17pm

Spring Wildflowers in Shawnee National Forest featured on national map

(KFVS) - The U.S. Forest Service has released an updated online wildflower map with hundreds of locations on national forests for prime wildflower viewing.

The forest service says the wildflower map includes 317 wildflower viewing areas on National Forest System lands and can be referenced by specific states, individual national forests and geographic regions. They say four of these areas are highlighted on the Shawnee National Forest.

"This updated map provides visitors a quick guide to find locations and best viewing times for the spectacular natural beauty of wild flowers on national forests," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "This is one more way folks can experience the bounty of natural surroundings."

The map is part of the agency's Celebrating Wildflowers website which includes more than 10,000 plant images and information about the aesthetic, recreational, biological, medicinal and economic values of native plants.

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IDNR reminds residents, visitors of wildfire prevention

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Thursday, April 5th, 2012, 12:31pm

IDNR reminds residents, visitors of wildfire prevention

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding Illinoisans and visitors to the state to take precautions to prevent wildfires, especially with the unusually warm and dry weather in the state this spring.

The IDNR says fires in March burned nearly 400 acres at Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County and dozens of acres of park land at Lincoln Trail State Park in Clark County. Last November, nearly 1,500 acres of heavily wooded hunting ground burned in a wildfire at Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County.

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Community photo: Mushrooms galore

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, April 2nd, 2012, 11:54am

JONESBORO, IL (KFVS) - Viewer Tammy Murray sent us this picture Monday of a bunch of mushrooms.

She said she received the picture in a text message from Joe Hicks of Pomona.

The text said, "Wanted 100 but 95 ain't too far off." Murray said she replied with, "When's supper?"

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EPA issues seal order at Union County State Pond Treatment Plant

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer

Thursday, March 29th, 2012, 3:31pm

EPA issues seal order at Union County State Pond Treatment Plant

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - A seal order has been ordered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency at a Union County property.

The Illinois EPA issued an order to seal a portion of the property known as the Union County State Pond Water Treatment Plant, located along State Pond Road west of Jonesboro.

According to the EPA, initial findings from a recent inspection showed levels of concern of certain pollutants, particularly mercury and asbestos.

The order restricts the public's access to the site, and denies entry by anyone except authorized personnel in the performance of official duties, according to the EPA. Those entering the site must also comply with applicable OSHA regulations. EPA officials say it is a class A misdemeanor to illegally enter the site, and violators are subject to arrest.

EPA officials say the sealed area consists of two buildings and the area immediately adjace

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DNR examines modifying deer hunting season

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012, 2:52pm

DNR examines modifying deer hunting season

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - Officials with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) say they are looking its deer management program to see if modifications are needed to hunting seasons and regulations to reduce the deer population and limit the spread of chronic wasting disease in the Illinois deer herd.

The review of Illinois’ deer management program is a follow up to execution of a number of recommendations made in 2008 by the state’s Joint Legislative Task Force on Deer Population Control.

Among those recommendations, was a statewide 14% reduction in the deer herd, as indicated by the rate of deer vs.

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Community photo: Star gazing at it's best

Submitted by Alma Curry, CCP

Sunday, February 26th, 2012, 10:06pm

Community photo: Star gazing at it's best

If you haven't already seen it, be sure to look at the skies after dark to see a picture it is providing at this time.

You will find a nice bright crescent moon. On Sunday, to the left of the moon is the planet Jupiter, and to the bottom of the moon is the planet Venus which is a little brighter than the planet Jupiter. You don't want to miss it.

These pictures were taken in Scott County, Mo. How well can you see the moon and planets where you live? You can e-mail us pictures from your community to cNews@kfvs12.com or click here to upload them. Don't forget to include your name, where you were from and a brief description of the picture.

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Kids & Families invited to Christmas Bird Count

Submitted by Alycia Dobrinick on Thursday, January 5th, 4:39 pm

MARION, IL (KFVS) - Families from across Southern Illinois are invited to take part in a 100 year old tradition, the Christmas Bird County.

It will take place on Saturday, January 7th. If you'd like to participate, just meet at the Refuge visitor center at 9:00 a.m. Kids will learn how to use binoculars at the binocular boot camp. Binoculars will be loaned out to participants.

After the camp, kids will divide into teams and head out into the field with volunteer experts. They'll count and record all of the species of birds they locate.

Then, everyone will meet back at the visitor center for snacks and hot chocolate. They'll also tally their results.

For more information, contact the Refuge Visitor Center at (618) 998-5933.

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