SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recently made the instructions and the necessary forms to apply for the newly instituted Conservation Stewardship Program available online.

State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Gifford) sponsored legislation to create the Conservation Stewardship Program in an effort to provide tax relief for those trying to preserve our state's natural environment.

"I would like to encourage anyone interested in conservation and habitat preservation to either check out the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' website or contact them before the end of the year," said Senator Frerichs. "In order to receive tax benefits for next year, applicants should send in their application before the end of the year."

The Conservation Stewardship Program offers tax relief for property owners who develop and follow conservations plans for woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. According to Conservation for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Illinois currently ranks last among Midwestern states in acres protected per capita. Only 1 percent of Illinois is state-owned, making any effort to improve conservation on private lands essential.

"We are giving landowners an incentive to preserve their lands," said Senator Frerichs. "We need to do this because property owners who wish to conserve their land often can't, because they are pressured to use their land in order to pay for the property taxes on it."

Applications can be completed online at the IDNR's website.

The form can also be printed off and mailed to the Illinois Department of Conservation at:

Conservation Stewardship Program
Office of Resource Conservation
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702-1271