The Illinois Forestry Development Council is now accepting proposals for our FY’27 Small Projects Program. Proposals are due by July 1, 2026. For more information on the program and the submission process, see the FY’27 Small Projects Program Request for Proposals.
All posts by Christopher Evans
Walnut Council National Meeting – Future in Forestry (IFDC Small Project Success Story)
In July 2025 Illinois Chapter of Walnut Council hosted a national meeting in Rockford Illinois. This forestry focused meeting was made possible through matching grant funding received from Illinois Forest Development Council Small Projects Program.
Over the course of two-and-a-half-days, 113 attendees toured an actively managed 30-acre woods, observed a working saw mill cutting small diameter logs, and examined the results of Crop Tree Release in a plantation setting. Participants also learned techniques to accelerate natural regeneration in a post-harvest woodlots.
Indoor sessions featured expert presentation on digital forestry, wood utilization, forest health, and how private land owners can propagate trees for enrichment plantings in their woodlands.
Participants indicated that they plan to adopt the following management practices:
| Management Practice | Percent That Will Adopt Practice |
| Plant trees | 50% |
| Timber harvest | 15% |
| Check soils | 25% |
| Manage for deer | 15% |
| Invasive management | 55% |
| Thinning | 45% |
| Pruning | 30% |
| Crop tree release | 55% |
| Succession/estate planning | 15% |
| Manage for oak | 40% |
FY25 Annual Report to IL General Assembly
Dr. Eric Holzmueller, former director of the Illinois Forestry Development Council, recently released the FY’25 Annual Report to the Illinois General Assembly.
RFP for FY’26 IFDC small projects program
The Illinois Forestry Development Council is now accepting proposals for our FY’26 Small Projects Program. Proposals are due by July 1, 2025. For more information on the program and the submission process, see the FY’26 Small Projects Program Request for Proposals.
FY24 Annual Report to IL General Assembly
Dr. Eric Holzmueller, director of the Illinois Forestry Development Council, recently released the FY’24 Annual Report to the Illinois General Assembly:
RFP for FY25 IFDC small projects program
The Illinois Forestry Development Council is now accepting proposals for our FY’25 Small Projects Program. Proposals are due by July 1, 2024. For more information on the program and the submission process, see the FY’25 Small Projects Program RFP.
Illinois Forest Action Plan Storymap
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has published a Storymap about the Illinois Forest Action Plan. Scroll through the map to learn more about the state of Illinois forests, threats, and strategies for moving forward.
FY23 Annual Report to IL General Assembly
Dr. Eric Holzmueller, director of the Illinois Forestry Development Council, recently released the FY’23 Annual Report to the Illinois General Assembly:
2020-2023 Illinois Forest Action Plan
The 2023-2030 Illinois Forest Action Plan is available for viewing HERE. This is a statewide forest resource assessment and strategy document.