Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Welcomes Becker, Nelson, Wanless and Zanders

Below you'll see a press release from the Illinois Conservation Foundation  releasing their 2017 Hall of Fame recipients.  Congratulations to all these dedicated outdoor enthusiast.  

Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Welcomes Becker, Nelson, Wanless and Zanders

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) today announced the selections of four longtime Illinois conservationists as the newest members of the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame. C.E. (Bob) Becker, David Nelson, Michael (Mick) Wanless, and Glenda Zanders were selected from among dozens of individuals nominated by Illinois citizens and conservation organizations for induction as the Class of 2017 for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.


The new Hall of Fame members will be formally introduced during a presentation at Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Saturday, August 19.

Since 2002, the ICF has recognized Illinoisans for their significant contributions and unparalleled dedication in preserving, promoting, enhancing or supporting natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities with induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.

Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Class of 2017

C.E. (Bob) Becker, Brighton, IL
Bob Becker, a decorated Korean War veteran, was a founding member and longtime officer of the Migratory Waterfowl Hunters, Inc., and later helped found the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources (IFOR), one of Illinois’s most active and influential advocacy groups, with 75 affiliated organizations and 137,000 affiliated members. Becker served as IFOR president for 18 years, and still serves as its membership chairman at age 87. While his passion is waterfowl hunting, Becker has worked for more than 50 years on behalf of expanding outdoor recreation opportunities and promoting sound conservation practices in Illinois, and has been a foremost advocate for recruiting youth to fishing and hunting through IFOR’s annual Outdoor Youth Skills Camp.

David F. Nelson, Barrington, IL
David Nelson, one of the Barrington area’s most active volunteers and community advocates, has promoted natural lands conservation and outdoor recreation access in northeast Illinois for five decades. Nelson is a longtime board member and past president of the Barrington Area Conservation Trust, preserving rare and exceptional open space in the region. Nelson is also president of the Lake County Forest Preserve Preservation Foundation, providing funding for land conservation and protection, youth programs, and habitat restoration throughout Lake County. Nelson, a longtime township supervisor and former mayor of Barrington, has also worked to develop and expand local parks and recreation programs.

Michael (Mick) Wanless, Springfield, IL
Mick Wanless learned to hunt and fish, and developed his love of the outdoors, as a young boy. The Springfield businessman has made helping today’s youth to develop that same love of the outdoors a mission. Wanless has long been one of the state’s foremost supporters of Illinois’ Safety Education program. Wanless established the Friends of the Outdoors organization to provide youth outdoor recreation opportunities, including providing a new BB gun range for youth for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Safety Education program. The range is used for Hunter Safety classes, and at Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair. Wanless has provided funding support for youth hunts hosted by the Illinois Conservation Foundation, and is a generous donor to a wide array of sporting organizations.

Glenda Zanders, Evansville, IL
Glenda Zanders grew up in a heritage of trapping, fishing, hunting and shooting sports. She places a very high value on conservation and passing that heritage to the next generation. In her younger years, she commercially fished the Kaskaskia River with her father and namesake Glenn, who had spent a lifetime as a fur buyer and trapper. She has dedicated much of her time, energy and behind-the-scenes efforts to promoting the value of outdoor recreation and conservation stewardship. Glenda Zanders is an executive and owner of Zanders Sporting Goods, Inc., a wholesale sporting goods company her parents founded in southern Illinois. She has supported the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Wingshooting Clinic Program, a program developed to instruct wingshooting enthusiasts from novices to the experienced hunter. Glenda is also a strong supporter of many conservation programs dedicated to promoting youth involvement in the outdoors, including Ducks Unlimited, Boy Scouts of America, Whitetails Unlimited, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Glenda has contributed to the Illinois Conservation Foundation in support of youth hunts and events, hunter education programs, the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), Amateur Trapshooting Association’s youth program (AIM), and countless other shooting sport activities tailored for youth. Supporting and bequeathing the importance of conservation stewardship and the restoration of our natural resources has always been and will remain a primary focus for Glenda and the Zanders family – evident by four generations that continue to be reliable patrons toward the cause of conservation.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1995 to support the programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The ICF inspires today’s youth – tomorrow’s leaders – by providing quality outdoor education and programs that instill interest in conservation, ecology and sustainability. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

In addition to the recognition ceremony at the Illinois State Fair on August 19, the new inductees to the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame will also be honored at the ICF “Shoot for the Stars Gala” to be held on September 28 in Geneva, IL. For ticket and sponsorship information, and for more information on the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, check the ICF website at www.ilcf.org.