The state is seeking suggestions from local residents on how to best sustain natural resources and a meeting will held at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville next week.

The Conservation Congress will begin with a series of regional meetings where residents will broach multiple topics. The previous congress held in 2010 resulted in an executive order from Gov. Pat Quinn directing the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop funding proposals for clean water, land acquisition and public recreation programs.

Participants must register before Friday to attend a meeting planned for 7 p.m. March 21 or March 22 at SWIC. To register, visit the web site www.dnr.illinois.gov/ConservationCongress.