Cherokee Nation awarded nearly $773,000 for Illinois River Watershed conservation planning

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation will receive $772,914 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to develop a comprehensive conservation and restoration plan for the Illinois River Watershed.

The funding awarded through the America's Ecosystem Restoration Initiative will enable the tribe to lead a two-year planning project, bringing together partners across Oklahoma and Arkansas to address critical conservation needs within the watershed.

Cherokee Nation is among 77 grantees nationwide selected for the program, which supports community-driven efforts to restore habitats, strengthen ecosystems, improve public access to natural areas, and promote partnership-based conservation.

"The Illinois River is a treasured natural resource that sustains our communities, supports our economy, and holds deep cultural significance for the Cherokee people," said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "This planning project will allow us to work collaboratively with our partners to develop a roadmap for protecting this vital watershed for generations to come. It reflects our commitment to being responsible stewards of the land and water within our ancestral territory."

The Cherokee Nation Illinois River Watershed Conservation and Restoration Partnership project, administered by the Cherokee Nation Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources, will engage partners across jurisdictions to develop implementation plans addressing multiple conservation priorities. Working with organizations and agencies in Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as federal partners, Cherokee Nation will focus on designated scenic and impaired sub-watersheds of the Illinois River.

"Our elders have always taught us that water is life, and protecting the Illinois River means protecting our future," said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. "This collaborative approach to conservation planning ensures we're not just addressing today's challenges but building long-term solutions that will benefit our children and our communities for years to come."

The planning project will establish frameworks for a Riparian Restoration Program, an Unpaved Roads Program, Habitat and Wetlands Restoration projects, Public Access Expansion and Improvement projects, and Community Education and Outreach programming.

"This planning project reflects Cherokee Nation's deep commitment to protecting the Illinois River and the culturally significant species that depend on it," said Cherokee Nation Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice. "By bringing together landowners, partner organizations, and our neighboring jurisdictions, we're building a shared path forward for restoration, resiliency, and responsible access."

The Illinois River serves as a major economic driver for recreation while holding critical importance for Cherokee ways of life and culturally significant species. Through this project, Cherokee Nation will focus on protecting these species and their habitats through watershed-scale interventions.

The Riparian Restoration Program will engage directly with landowners to restore habitat along streams and rivers throughout the watershed. The Unpaved Roads program will develop training curriculum focused on Best Management Practices to reduce sediment loading, lower road maintenance costs, and prioritize barrier removal for improved aquatic passage.

Public Access Improvement projects will implement recommendations from the Conservation-based Recreation Master Plan developed by the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, an official project partner. Cultural educational enhancements will be incorporated into design plans. Community Engagement projects will develop educational programming and materials targeted to Cherokee citizens, including specific outreach to Cherokee women.

By engaging landowners, community members, and Cherokee youth in conservation efforts, the project will enhance transparency, accountability, and environmental stewardship practices. The formal plans developed during this planning phase will prepare projects for implementation and long-term environmental sustainability.

For more information about Cherokee Nation's Natural Resources Department, visit https://naturalresources.cherokee.org/.