Rock Island Field Office biologist KraigMcPeek outlines the Partners’ program and state focus areas to more than 100 attendees of the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ annual winter training. - FWS photo

As part of the annual training seminar for the 250 statewide employees of the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Society, Rock Island Field Office Biologist Kraig McPeek was asked to present the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. He also will highlight the many ways the 99 Soil and Water Conservation District offices and the Services partner to achieve more favorable habitat conditions for state wildlife, threatened or endangered species in the state of Illinois.

Topics of discussion ranged from large scale habitat initiatives, such as the Illinois River Watershed, to smaller scale partnerships like sharing native seed drills and cooperative habitat agreements that are being utilized throughout the state.  

Opportunities like this not only improve habitat, but help to educate partnering agencies on the good things that the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program is doing.