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<DIV>Right now, unless things change, 10 Illinois state parks and 1 state forest will close on November 1st, and might stay closed until the end of the budget year, next July 1, 2009. There are a number of state parks included that birders have reported bird sightings from this past year (and I usually go to a few of them each year too). IBET: FYI only (conservation issues should be discussed on BCNnet and other sites). This might affect a few Christmas Counts this winter also. </DIV>
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<DIV>The following Illinois State Parks will close effective November 1:<BR>• Castle Rock State Park, Oregon<BR>• Lowden State Park, Oregon<BR>• Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield <BR>• Illini State Park, Marseilles <BR>• Rice Lake Conservation Area, Canton <BR>• Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon <BR>• Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris <BR>• Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg <BR>• Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood <BR>• Moraine View State Park, LeRoy <BR>• Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton</DIV>
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<DIV>For further info:</DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=426480">http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=426480</A></DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.suntimes.com/sports/outdoors/1135931,CST-SPT-bowman31.article">http://www.suntimes.com/sports/outdoors/1135931,CST-SPT-bowman31.article</A></DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/bowman/">http://blogs.suntimes.com/bowman/</A></DIV>
<DIV>(I didn't see any notice of the closings on DNR website tonight: <A href="http://dnr.state.il.us/">http://dnr.state.il.us/</A></DIV>
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<DIV>(of course, contact your legislators)</DIV>
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<DIV>--<BR>Alan B. Anderson <BR>casresearch@comcast.net <BR>Des Plaines, Cook Co.</DIV></body></html>