In 2007, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois celebrates its golden anniversary. To commemorate this historic milestone, the current and former Illinois Chairs joined together to issue a leadership challenge to all Illinois supporters.

The thirteen chairs have committed $500,000 to match all new and increased annual gifts made during the 2007 anniversary year on a 1:1 basis. Generous challenge donors include: Fred Acker, Henry Barkhausen, George Covington, Guy Fraker, Charlie Haffner, Jim Hotchkiss, Connie Keller, Wendy Paulson, Seth Pierrepont, Brenda Shapiro, John Snyder, Jay Trees and Nancy Hamill Winter.

The Need

No conservation activity that The Nature Conservancy undertakes is more vital than its annual conservation work, which supports land stewardship and protection, community outreach and science, and partnerships with the private and the public sectors.  Without this support, we would not be restoring the over 7,000-acre Emiquon Preserve from row crops to functioning wetland and upland habitat.  Once restored, animals such as migrating warblers, and plants such as the American lotus will again thrive.

The Nature Conservancy’s projects in Illinois include Nachusa Grasslands, Indian Boundary Prairies, Kankakee Sands, Emiquon, Spunky Bottoms, the Cache River Wetlands and the Illinois Ozarks. These areas and more will benefit from your generous gift.

Challenge Eligibility 

New (defined as no annual gift in the calendar year 2006) and increased (defined as the increased amount over a 2006 gift) annual gifts made from individuals during the 2007 calendar year are eligible for the match. Gifts to the 50th Anniversary Gala in May 2007 do not qualify, nor do capital gifts. Pledges are not eligible, although pledge payments made during the 2007 year, if they meet the “new or increased” criteria, are eligible.

For further information on eligibility, please contact Ken Modzelewski, Director of Major Gifts and Philanthropy Operations, at kmodzelewski@tnc.org or 312-580-2128.

Examples

• Member Bluebird gave $100 in September 2006. In September 2007, she gives $150 to the Annual Fund. Her $150 gift generates a match of $50 for total support of $200.
• Member Oakleaf has never given to the Annual Fund. He gives $1,000 in December 2007 and this generates another $1,000 for a total of $2,000 for conservation.