FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 4, 2008

CONTACT: Chris McCloud217/558-1540

Tickets available for Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet

Dubin, Fell, O’Malley to be inducted February 9

SPRINGFIELD, IL --Tickets are now available for the annual Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony to be held on Sat., Feb. 9 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. Three individuals will be recognized for their distinguished service and commitment to natural resource protection and outdoor recreation as Don Dubin, the late George B. Fell, and John R. “Duke” O’Malley will be inducted into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.

The banquet will also feature presentation of the annual Illinois Conservation Foundation “Conservation Youth Achievement Scholarships” to nine young people from throughout the state.

“The Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet is one of the highlights of the year for outdoor enthusiasts as we honor the new inductees and their families and friends,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Acting Director Sam Flood, who serves as the chairman of the board of directors of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. “We would like to encourage everyone to attend the banquet and join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the new inductees and the students who will receive scholarships that are supported by proceeds from the banquet.”

Tickets for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet are $50 each. Tickets and sponsorship information are available by calling the Illinois Conservation Foundation at 217/785-2003. The event on Feb. 9 will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Hall of Fame induction and an auction benefiting youth scholarship, ICF grants and other programs.

High school juniors and seniors selected from throughout Illinois will be introduced at the banquet and presented with $1,000 scholarships as recipients of the ICF Conservation Youth Achievement Scholarships.

“ One of the reasons we present the scholarships at the Hall of Fame banquet is our hope that the young people will be inspired to continue their interests in natural resources protection by the achievements of the new hall of fame members,” Flood said.

2008 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Inductees

Don Dubin of Lincolnwood is one of Illinois’ foremost advocates for improving and expanding fishing opportunities in the state. Dubin was instrumental in the formation of Salmon Unlimited in Illinois, an organization that helped launch the stocking of salmon and trout in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan in the 1970s. Dubin also worked with state conservation officials in support of dedicating angler license and stamp fees for fish hatchery production and the opening of the IDNR Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery in Mason Co. Dubin promoted creation and expansion of the muskie program in Illinois as president of the Chicagoland Chapter of Muskies, Inc. An expert woodcarver and taxidermist, Dubin’s works have been acclaimed in national and international competition, including a “Best in the World” award for his wood carving Bluegill in Walnut at the 2001 World Taxidermy and Fish Carving Competition. In 2007, Dubin’s advocacy for fishing and fishery enhancement resulted in him being enshrined as a “Legendary Angler” by the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum.

The late George B. Fell of Rockford was a visionary conservationist who led the effort to protect natural areas in Illinois and throughout the nation. From a leadership position with the Ecologists Union in the late 1940s, Fell became the first executive director of the organization under its new name – The Nature Conservancy – in 1951. Fell founded the Natural Land Institute and later authored the state Conservation District Act and the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act. Fell was a founding member of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, helping manage the commission’s efforts to protect natural lands and working to conduct the first Illinois Natural Areas Inventory and a study of threatened and endangered species. As director of the Natural Land Institute, Fell worked to acquire tracts that helped establish Castle Rock State Park and Franklin Creek State Natural Area. He was the namesake of the George B. Fell Nature Preserve in Ogle Co. In 1993, Fell was named one of the Sierra Club’s “100 Environmental Heroes.” George Fell passed away in 1994.

John R. “Duke” O’Malley of Chicago served readers of the Daily Southtown as the newspaper’s outdoors columnist for nearly 30 years. Duke is also known to tens of thousands of children and adults as the host and chief fundraiser for one of the state’s most popular free kids fishing events – the Duke O’Malley Fishing Derby. It was held each June for 20 years. The fishing derby introduced as many as 1,000 youngsters each year to the fun of fishing. O’Malley hosted “Let’s Talk Fishing” programs throughout the winter to promote fishing and raise money for the kids fishing derby. O’Malley’s newspaper columns reflected his interests in fishing and hunting. His writing also reflected his advocacy for getting young people involved in outdoor recreation – as well as protection of wildlife and aquatic habitat.

Also being recognized at the banquet are a noted conservation organization and three companies that have assisted in promotion of natural resources conservation and recreation in Illinois: The Nature Conservancy, Plano Molding Company, Raber Packing Co., and Mike’s Market.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1995 to support the programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

For more information on the banquet and the foundation, contact Greg Legan, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL, phone 217/785-2003.

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