This year has had an abundance of severe weather from the January tornadoes to heavy snows and now the summer is starting out with numerous storms and flooding. To help be prepared in case of an emergency due to such severe weather, go to the U. of I. Disaster Resources website at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/disaster or go to the Natural Resources and Enviornment section of our Rockford Center website at the icon below.

Questions? Contact John Church, Extension Educator, Natural Resources Management at churchj@uiuc.edu

A new program offered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources can help qualified landowners reduce their property taxes. The Illinois "Conservation Stewardship Program" provides property tax incentives for landowners with conservation management plans for woodlands, prairies or wetlands. Applications and details are now available on-line at http://dnr.state.il.us/. Land accepted into the program will be valued at 5% of market value for property tax purposes.

Land eligible for enrollment includes five or more adjacent acres of unimproved land (unimproved land means woodlands, prairie, wetlands or other vacant and undeveloped land that is not used for any residential or commercial purpose that materially disturbs the land).

Persons with questions are requested to e-mail dnr.cmp@illinois.gov. Questions will be answered by return e-mail unless you indicate a preference for a phone call and include your phone number in your e-mail.

Questions? Contact John Church, Extension Educator, Natural Resources Management at churchj@uiuc.edu