INTRODUCTION
Lorin I. Nevling, Chief
In my report of last year, I detailed the impending reorganization of a number of the
state's environmental entities into a new Department of Natural Resources. The
implementation of the new organization took place on July 1, 1995. The major purpose
of the reorganization was to strengthen the state's ability to protect, enhance, and
responsibly use Illinois' natural resources to provide the citizens with a sustained
outstanding quality of life. In addition, the reorganization will result in
administrative and programmatic efficiencies not possible previously. We have now completed the first year within the new organizational structure and, not surprisingly, it has proven to be one of change and challenges for the Illinois Natural History Survey. The period of mutual adjustment, understanding, and appreciation will continue for some time. All parties understand the extraordinary opportunities and responsibilities that we have in the new all-encompassing department and are dedicated to working together for the benefit of Illinois. The Survey staff have participated in many projects, provided recommendations on important natural resource issues, and continued to conduct scientific investigations on the natural resources of Illinois within the new departmental context.
The Survey is a division of the Office of Scientific Research and Analysis that is under the leadership of Karen Witter. The Board of Natural Resources and Conservation, under the direction of Brent L. Manning, Chair and Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, continued to oversee the functions of the three Surveys and the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center, formerly the Hazardous Waste Research and Information Center.
In November of 1995, the Board assigned me the additional duty of serving as the Acting Chief of the State Water Survey during the period necessary to recruit a new Chief. My time has been divided between the two Surveys since that time.
Change will continue to be the watchword at the Survey. At the Board of Natural
Resources and Conservation meeting on August 30, 1996, I announced my intention to
retire as of December 31, 1996. I have been privileged to follow in the footsteps
of my distinguished predecessors and to serve as Chief of the Illinois Natural
History Survey since January 1987. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity
afforded me by the Board, the consistent support I have received from the department,
and to the staff for their efforts and outstanding performance during my term of
service.
Dr. David P. Philipp returned to his duties as Director of the Center for Aquatic Ecology following his leave to pursue research interests on a full-time basis. We are grateful to Dr. Robert A. Herendeen for his leadership as Center Director and as a member of the Senior Management Team during Dr. Philipp's leave. Dr. Herendeen has returned to full-time research on ecological-economic systems modeling.
Mission
The mission of the Illinois Natural History Survey is:
- To acquire, organize, and utilize collections and associated data pertaining to all aspects of the biotic resources of Illinois;
- To perform scientific inquiry concerning the diversity, life histories, growth and development, ecology, population dynamics, ecosystem properties, and management of the biotic resources of Illinois, and to present research results to the scientific and educational communities;
- To formulate and provide recommendations about the status, protection, development, and informed use of biotic resources of Illinois;
- To provide scientifically based information to the public and to policymakers, leading to an understanding and appreciation of our natural heritage, and the wise preservation, management, and utilization of our biotic resources.
Based on our mission statement, Survey scientists continue to conduct research programs on the natural resources of our state. Current research projects are described in each of the Center sections following. Scientific results are presented in a variety of ways: electronic format, exhibits, presentations at scientific meetings, publishing in scientific journals, educational materials, and recommendations to develop sound governmental policy. Once again, the Survey has enjoyed a very productive year as evidenced by the number of publications. For a full accounting, please refer to "Publications of the Staff".
Financial Support
The financial support provided by the Illinois General Assembly for Fiscal Year 1996 contained significant improvements over recent years: an increase in the amount available for merit salary increases and the addition of a new line of support for the destined properties to become a new home for the Survey. The modest increase in the salary line enabled us to reward staff for their contributions to the overall success of the Survey and helps the Survey to continue to recruit skilled research staff. The financial statement for the year may be found on the Financial Statement page. Our first year under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been a challenging and successful year, but the full potential remains to be realized.
Our Annual Report this year is in a new format with a new section titled Public Services. This section includes reports on the Survey's World Wide Web/Network, Education Outreach Program, Library, and Collections. I encourage you to peruse this new section because it contains information on the public services that the Survey provides not only for researchers, staff, and educators but also for the citizens of Illinois. As usual, we trust that you will find the research vignettes interesting and that they will provide you with a greater understanding of our contributions to the citizens of Illinois.
