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Hall of Fame Inductees 2008
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.
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. After returning to Illinois in the mid 1950s, 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, later serving as executive secretary. He helped manage the commission’s efforts to protect natural lands and worked to conduct the first Illinois Natural Areas Inventory and a comprehensive study of the state’s 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 died in 1994. John R. “Duke” O’Malley of Chicago is best known to readers of the Daily Southtown as the south suburban 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. He served as one of Illinois’ foremost conservationists and stewards of the state’s natural resources during a career that spanned four decades. The Wisconsin native joined the then Illinois Department of Conservation in 1978 and will long be remembered for his service as a biologist and manager charged with protecting the state’s endangered species and natural heritage while working for the IDOC and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Becker was instrumental in the establishment of the real estate transfer tax fund to support land and wildlife conservation programs, as well as the state’s Wildlife Preservation Fund income tax checkoff. He served as the first director of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board and the first chief of the state Division of Natural Heritage, working to expand natural areas protection in Illinois. Becker served as the Illinois representative with the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agency’s campaign for dedicated federal funding in support of wildlife and endangered species protection programs. After his retirement from IDNR in 2002, Becker joined The Nature Conservancy as director of conservation programs, working on a variety of habitat restoration and enhancement projects throughout Illinois. Carl Becker died unexpectedly in April 2006 at the age of 56. Mr. Garver is credited with helping advance one of Illinois’ most remarkable wildlife success stories. Garver retired in 2002 after a 34-year career with the Illinois Department of Conservation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources, serving most of that time as the state’s wild turkey project leader. Wild turkeys disappeared from Illinois about 1910. In 1958, the state began a restoration effort, releasing wild-trapped birds in five locations in the Shawnee National Forest. When Jared Garver took over management of the state wild turkey project, the turkey flock was estimated at no more than 1,000 birds. Garver led efforts to find suitable habitat for turkey restoration, working with landowners and with members of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Under Garver’s guidance, IDNR has trapped and transplanted nearly 5,000 birds to more than 270 release sites in 99 of the state’s 102 counties. Working with the NWTF, he helped secure more than $2 million in land acquisition, habitat improvement, turkey stocking and hunter education in the state. The wild turkey population is now thriving in Illinois, with a population of more than 140,000. John is the founder and president of the Fishin’ Buddies youth fishing club, an organization that has introduced thousands of inner city and suburban children in northeast Illinois to fishing, outdoor recreation, and the natural world around them. Fishin’ Buddies was begun with youth fishing derbies and casting clinics in 1993. John Kidd later developed fishing and environmental education programs, including a Conservation Kids effort that put teens to work on prairie and wetland restoration activities at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s Beaubien Woods Flatwood Lake. Younger children are also provided with natural resources and environmental learning opportunities that otherwise may not be available to urban youth. The program also continues to sponsor fishing derbies and tournaments for thousands of youngsters in Chicago and suburban Cook County. He is a renowned wildlife biologist with more than 50 years of service to Illinois, is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on the biology and ecology of raccoons and one of the country’s leading advocates for development of non-toxic shot to alleviate lead poisoning in waterfowl. Dr. Sanderson is also well known for his leadership of the preservation of the endangered Illinois prairie chicken in southeast Illinois. A World War II veteran, Sanderson began work in 1949 as a wildlife biologist in Iowa before joining the Illinois Natural History Survey in 1955. He became the INHS Center for Wildlife Research director in 1964 and was later named to the rank of Principal Scientist in 1989. Since his retirement in 1990, Dr. Sanderson has remained an active researcher and mentor. He has more than 90 scientific publications. Dr. Sanderson received the prestigious Aldo Leopold Award for distinguished service to wildlife conservation from The Wildlife Society in 1992, the highest honor that can be bestowed on wildlife professionals. Known as “Mr. Canoe,” Ralph Frese is a fourth generation blacksmith, who began building canoes in his blacksmith shop for his scout troop. Frese turned his passion for canoe-building and paddling the waterways of Illinois into a successful canoe-building business in Chicago. Frese is well known for his work on behalf of conservation efforts on the Fox River in northeast Illinois and is the founder of the annual Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon. In 1973, he built two 21-foot early Algonquin birch bark canoes and re-enacted the Marquette and Joliet expedition of 1673. Ralph Frese is a renowned spokesman and lecturer on the role of the canoe in Illinois history and is one of the state’s and nation’s leading advocates for water trails and waterway protection and enhancement. A recipient of numerous conservation and environmental achievement awards and honors, Ralph Frese has been recognized by the American Canoe Association as the first recipient of the group’s Legends of Paddling award. Don Swensson, Moline Don Swensson is the founder of one of the state’s largest, most active and effective independent outdoor recreation organizations, the Quad City Conservation Alliance. The QCCA includes representatives of a number of fishing, hunting and conservation clubs in northwest Illinois and operates the 60,000 square foot QCCA Expo Center, home to outdoors shows and other activities in the Quad Cities region. During the past 20 years under Swensson’s leadership, the QCCA has donated more than $1 million to conservation, environmental and outdoors education programs within a 100-mile radius of the Quad Cities. Swensson served for eight years as a member of the Natural Resources Advisory Board, and has served on the state Land and Water Task Force. He is a member of the In-Fisherman Club, a founding member of the QC Muskies, Inc., and is a regional vice president of Muskies, Inc. Nominators universally refer to the late Bob Torstenson as a “generous and enthusiastic supporter of wildlife conservation in Illinois,” enhancing wildlife habitat on his own property as well as supporting natural heritage and wildlife conservation programs throughout the state and nation. An avid hunter and former Chicago businessman, Torstenson developed his 750-acre farm in Winnebago County into a model of forest, wetland and upland prairie land management. He donated a conservation easement on the property to Ducks Unlimited to be held in perpetuity. Bob Torstenson and his wife Leslie donated 135,000 acres of property in New Mexico to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The Torstensons also gave the RMEF a $4 million endowment. The RMEF placed a conservation easement on the ranch and allowed the Mule Deer Foundation to hold that easement. The land is being preserved as a model of sound ranching and wildlife management practices. It was the largest gift of land ever provided to a wildlife conservation organization. Bob Torstenson passed away in May, 2002. Ken Fiske has for more than 50 years provided private and professional efforts on behalf of open land protection and conservation. Fiske was named Illinois Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1952. Fiske was the founding executive director of the McHenry County Conservation District, retiring in 1985. He has served as a board member of the Corporation for OpenLands, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, McHenry County Conservation Foundation, the Illinois Association of Conservation Districts and McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District. Fiske and his wife were honored as 2004 Refuge Volunteers of the Year by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for efforts on preserving and restoring bird habitat in Hawaii and Florida. The late Dr. Willard D. Klimstra was the founding director of the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, serving from 1951 to 1988. As director, Klimstra supervised the efforts of graduate students whose research and professional accomplishments continue to provide benefits to wildlife and natural resources conservation nationwide. Klimstra was a pioneer in wildlife ecology and mined land reclamation. He helped draft legislation on reclamation and conservation, the Illinois Nature Preserves System Act, and the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act, chaired of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and was a member of the Endangered Species Protection Board. Brent Manning served as Director of the Illinois Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources from 1991-2003. During his tenure, the state acquired more than 85,000 acres for conservation and outdoor recreation; developed the Illinois Conservation 2000 program, Illinois Conservation Congress and state-federal Illinois River basin protection measures; led implementation of a state habitat stamp program, the Illinois Environmental License Plate program and the Illinois Conservation Foundation; and, developed the ENTICE education program for school teachers. Manning now serves as executive director of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. William Rutherford has been involved in environmental stewardship, open space preservation and wildlife conservation for more than 65 years. Rutherford helped found the Forest Park Foundation, which acquired and donated land for local and state parks and natural areas throughout central Illinois. He founded Wildlife Prairie Park, which was donated to the state in 2000. The state park is named in honor of Rutherford and his wife Hazel, who passed away in 2000. Rutherford also worked toward acquisition and establishment of the Rock Island State Trail in central Illinois. He served as director of the Illinois Department of Conservation in 1969 and led the acquisition of Goose Lake Prairie and Silver Springs state parks in northeast Illinois. Mr. Black is one of the state’s best-known and most effective advocates for the long term preservation of the Kankakee River and river basin, one of the state’s most unique and vital watersheds. Black is the longtime chairman of the Kankakee River Basin Partnership, a coalition of local individuals and organizations concerned about the long term health and restoration of the river ecosystem. In that role, Black has worked successfully for millions of dollars in local, state and federal funding for river restoration projects. Black is a charter member, former president and long time executive director of the Northern Illinois Anglers Association; a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Land Use and Water Resources; a delegate to Conservation Congress sessions since 1993; co-chair of the Kankakee Area Conservation Network; charter member of the Alliance to Restore the Kankakee River; and, an active member of numerous other sporting organizations. Black has recently chaired the successful “Adopt a River” project for the Kankakee and Iroquois rivers and their tributaries, with only a few spots left along the rivers available for adoption by area residents and organizations. Gaylord dedicated his life to conservation, preservation and philanthropy. Donnelley and his wife Dorothy were among America’s most dedicated and highly respected environmentalists. Donnelley served as a board member and key financial backer of organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, The Conservation Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Openlands Project, CorLands, Ducks Unlimited, National Recreation and Park Association and the Canal Corridor Association. The donation of the Donnelley farm in PutnamCounty to the state of Illinois resulted in public access to what is now the Donnelley State Fish and Wildlife Area. Donnelley financial support helped restore prairie chickens at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area. Gaylord Donnelley was a key figure in creating the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor and in restoration and preservation of the wetlands of international importance in the Cache River basin in southern Illinois. The Donnelleys worked toward development of the 1,500-acre Liberty Prairie Reserve in Lake County and preservation of tens of thousands of acres of coastal marshes and mature pine forest in South Carolina. Gaylord Donnelley died in 1992. She is an educator, outdoors enthusiast and founder of successful events highlighting and celebrating western Illinois’ famed hunting heritage. Fee is a physical education teacher and coach at West Pike High School in Kinderhook, where she created a course on the outdoors including sections on archery, camping, fishing, firearms safety, hunting and hiking. Fee is also co-founder of the successful Pike County Deer Camp and buck fever banquet to celebrate the deer hunting seasons. Fee has managed gun safety programs for adults and youngsters, a scholastic shooting sports club for students from throughout west central Illinois, an archery club, a deer hunting program for people with disabilities, and has managed a state deer check station at West Pike High. Fee also hosted a number of youth deer camps, an annual youth turkey hunt and turkey calling seminar. He is a retired biologist who for more than 41 years implemented successful wildlife management programs for the Illinois Department of Conservation, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ predecessor agency. After beginning his career as a district biologist in northwestern Illinois in 1948, Kringer became a wildlife manager in southern Illinois where he planned and installed enhanced wildlife habitat on state-owned lands. Kringer is credited with winning approval for expanded hunting programs in the state park system, expanding dove and controlled hunting throughout the region. Jake Kringer also advocated state acquisition of reclaimed coal mine property for state-managed outdoor recreation. Following his retirement from the Department of Conservation in 1990, Kringer served as president of the Illinois Waterfowl Alliance and helped found the Illinois Federation For Outdoor Resources to unite user groups and sporting organizations in representing member concerns to the IDNR and Illinois General Assembly. After Henry's successful career as a businessman, entered the public sector serving as director of the Illinois Department of Conservation from 1970-1973. Barkhausen led an unprecedented land acquisition effort resulting in more than 15,000 acres being added and developed in the state park system. He established the Department’s natural heritage division to enhance protection of non-game fish and wildlife and unique natural areas. Barkhausen’s greatest legacy may be his work of more than 30 years on protection, restoration and preservation of the Cache RiverIllinois. In recognition of his work on behalf of the Cache, the new Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center at the Cache River State Natural Area is named in his honor. wetlands in southern He maded fishing lures in his grandfather’s business as a youngster and served as a fishing guide in high school. He served as a highly decorated pilot during World War II before opening a business representing the interests of manufacturers of hunting and fishing equipment. Cullerton has been a strong voice for sportsmen and their issues of concern through his writing, seminars and as a host of the “Great Outdoors” program on WGN Radio in Chicago for more than 30 years. Much of his career has included promoting outdoor activities for children, seniors and people with disabilities. Cullerton has served as a member and director on numerous boards, including the Illinois Conservation Foundation. In 2000, the complex that includes Illinois Beach State Park and North PointMarina in Lake County were named the Cullerton Complex in his honor. Jim Edgar, Mahomet Jim is an avid hiker, horseback rider and bicyclist, was the chief advocate for Illinois’ natural resources and outdoor recreation during his tenure as governor from 1991-1999. In addition to his support of expanded greenways and trails, Edgar recognized the need to increase the amount of land available for hunting, fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation, with the state acquiring more than 38,000 acres of land for open space and recreation. Governor Edgar founded the Illinois Conservation Congress, initiated the state’s Conservation 2000 and EcoWatch natural resources management and monitoring programs, and signed legislation creating the Illinois Conservation Foundation. He also signed an agreement with the federal government that began the state’s successful, long-term Illinois River restoration effort. He is a 33-year employee of the Illinois Department of Conservation, who served as the agency’s assistant director from 1977 until his death in 1986. A former state police trooper, Jim championed conservation education, preservation and expanded outdoor recreation opportunities as a Department of Conservation staff writer, administrator, legislative liaison and assistant director. The Department of Natural Resources’ Helfrich Wildlife Propagation Center near Lincoln is named in his honor. He is an outdoors columnist for the Peoria Journal-Star for 30 years until his retirement in 1997, part of a 45-year sportswriting career at the newspaper. Jack wrote more than 7,500 columns on outdoors activities and issues, receiving numerous state, regional and national awards for his insight into the needs and interests of hunters, anglers and conservationists. He is a high school biology teacher and founder of the Sesser-Valier High School Outdoorsmen’s Club. Gene engages his students in conservation education through bird, plant and forestry management activities, wildlife research and recycling initiatives. His Outdoorsmen’s Club members provide outdoor recreation opportunities to people with disabilities through activities including an annual deer hunt and participation in special events for youngsters with developmental disabilities in southern Illinois. He is an award-winning sportswriter and columnist for the Chicago Tribune. From 1984 until his death in 2000, John was among the nation’s premier outdoors writers. Through his columns and through personal contact with policymakers, he was a forceful advocate for wildlife restoration, hunting and fishing access in Illinois, natural resources protection world-wide, and the life-enhancing value of spending time outdoors. Frank is one of the world’s foremost authorities on waterfowl and wetlands. His research career spanned more than 50 years with the Illinois Natural History Survey. His books Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America and Ecology and Management of the Wood Duck both received Wilderness Society “Book of the Year” honors. Frank is the namesake of the INHS Frank C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center near Havana.Hall of Fame Inductees 2007
Carl Becker, Petersburg
Jared Garver, Cobden
John Kidd, Jr. , Crete
Glen C. Sanderson, Champaign
Hall of Fame Inductees 2006
Ralph Frese, Niles
Robert Torstenson, Pecatonica
Hall of Fame Inductees 2005
Kenneth V. Fiske, Woodstock
Dr. W. D. Klimstra, Carbondale
Brent Manning, Wheaton
William L. Rutherford, Sr., Peoria
Hall of Fame Inductees 2004
J.R. Black, Kankakee (Kankakee County)
Gaylord Donnelley,Libertyville (Lake County)
Bonnie Jo Fee, Kinderhook (Pike County)
Floyd (Jake) Kringer, Vandalia
Hall of Fame Inductees 2003
Henry Barkhausen, Lake Forest
Bill Cullerton, Sr., Oak Brook
Hall of Fame Inductees 2002
James Helfrich, Hammond
Jack Ehresman, Hanna City
Gene Morgan, Sesser
John Husar, Willow Springs
Frank C. Bellrose, Havana
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