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Illinois Issues

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Natural Illinois

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Adele Hodde

Published July 1, 2011 at 12:00 AM CDT

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park is at Zion on Lake Michigan.

Fishing at Ferne Clyffe State Park in southern Illinois

Ferns cling to sandstone bluffs in Starved Rock State Park. Fragile plant and animal communities are threatened by invasive species and a lack of natural areas management.

A lady slipper orchid flowers at Starved Rock State Park. Conservative plant species like orchids are susceptible to changes in habitat such as invasion by non-native plants and a lack of management.

Illinois Beach State Park stretches for six and a half miles along the sandy shore of Lake Michigan.

Ferne Clyffe State Park, marked by limestone bluffs, is in Johnson County.

A trout is caught at Ferne Clyffe State Park.

Fringed gentian (Gentianopsis crinite) at Illinois Beach State Park

Visitors are attracted to natural features at state parks such as Wildcat Canyon’s waterfall. Starved Rock features sandstone canyons and bluffs carved by torrents of water released by melting glaciers thousands of years ago.

Starved Rock State Park offers sandstone canyons and breath-taking scenery.