After graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a Master's degree in 1976, Brent Manning spent nearly a decade working with Illinois Central Industries on a expansive range of environmental issues. Manning then worked for several years with Ducks Unlimited before being chosen by newly elected Governor Jim Edgar to head the Department of Conservation. Manning worked on a wide array of issues and projects during his tenure, including a Conservation Congress, Conservation 2000, several major land acquisitions, and the design and construction of the headquarters for the newly created Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Meeting Edgar for the First Time
Abstract
Interview 1 (Audio)
Early childhood through service as Dir. of Dept. of Conservation to 1993
Interview 2 (Audio)
Flood of 1993, reorganization of Dept. of Natural Resources & beyond
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Governor Jim Edgar, George Fleischli and Brent Manning talk about the Site M acquisition (now the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area) and development on site.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
Brent Manning, Governor Edgar and Dan Riggs (Site Superintendent) hiking Site M. On the ground recon!
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
Manning and a TV crew shoot a video at Lake Sangchris, promoting wetlands and wildlife.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
Brent Manning welcomes delegates to the first Conservation Congress, held at the State Capitol.
Where:
Springfield IL
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
Mayor Daley and Brent Manning at a reception for the Millennial Bass Masters Classic.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's photo
Caption
Attorney General Jim Ryan, his wife and Brent Manning at an AG's reception.
Where:
Springfield IL
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's photo
Caption
Signing of mine land management and transfer agreement with IDNR Executive staff and mining officials present.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
public domain
Caption
Presentation of shed elk antlers from the Prairie Park in Peoria. Jeff Versteeg, Brent Manning and Kirby Cottrell as well as the Prairie Park Manager are present.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Brent Manning in his office at Lincoln Tower.
Where:
Springfield IL
When:
Unknowncirca 1994
Ownership:
ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
Executive Director Jesse Hansen (left) and DNR Director Joel Brunsvold (right) stand with Brent Manning (center) as Brent accepted the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame award in 2005.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Photo of Brent Manning in Lowden-Miller State Park.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
public domain
Caption
Brent Manning holds up a prize turkey after a hunt in Schuyler County, Illinois.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Brent Manning holds up a prize turkey after a hunt in Schuyler County, Illinois.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Brent Manning takes a break from archery elk hunting during a trip to New Mexico.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Photo of G. Brent Manning and Cathy Manning in New Mexico.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
G. Brent Manning in his secret fishing hole, holding up a trophy (released) Musky.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Brent Manning (center) with oldest daughter, Sarah (left) and youngest daughter, Jessica (right) at home.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Group photo of the Edgar Campaign Reunion, taken at the state fairgrounds.
Where:
Unknown
When:
summer of 2009
Ownership:
ALPL Audio-Visual Curator