During its golden anniversary year The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is pleased to recognize Northern Trust, lead benefactor of the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Lead Benefactor,
50th Anniversary Celebrations

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is pleased to recognize the following generous businesses and corporations for their support of conservation.

$5 million and above

Caterpillar, Inc.

In partnership with their worldwide dealer network, Caterpillar drives positive and sustainable change on every continent. Propelling this work is the company's 25-year relationship with the Conservancy. From a generous grant to support the Emiquon Project on the Illinois River to a transforming contribution to establish the Great Rivers Partnership, Caterpillar, Inc., through the Caterpillar Foundation, is helping to protect the world's imperiled freshwater ecosystems.

$1 million - $4,999,999

Exelon

Exelon, the parent company of ComEd in Illinois and PECO Energy in Pennsylvania, has a long history of supporting projects that improve the health and quality of life for its customers. In 2003, Exelon donated $1 million over four years to fund floodplain restoration at the Emiquon Project along the Illinois River and the West Branch Wilderness in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the utility also supports the Conservancy’s work within the Nachusa Grasslands in Illinois.

Grand Victoria Foundation

Grand Victoria Foundation forms partnerships with organizations that strive to strengthen educational opportunities for children and adults; boost the economic vitality of neighborhoods, cities and regions; and restore and preserve the health of our environment. From funding the first site conservation plan for the Illinois River in 1997 to supporting the Conservancy’s Emiquon Project, the foundation’s generosity is helping the Conservancy to protect the entire Illinois River watershed.

Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports clean energy development and land preservation efforts, working with communities and citizens to improve environmental quality throughout Illinois. Recently, a generous gift from Illinois Clean Energy led to the acquisition of more than 1,000 new acres at Nachusa Grasslands. The Foundation also provided funding to protect land in the Illinois Ozarks, at the Kankakee Sands preserve, and to plan a comprehensive update of the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, a critical tool for identifying and protecting Illinois' natural heritage.

Tellabs Foundation

The Tellabs Foundation, a separate entity established by Tellabs, Inc., supports sustainable initiatives in education, health and wellness, and the protection of the environment, particularly in areas where Tellabs employees live and work. Today, the Tellabs Foundation is providing support for grassland protection and stewardship at four Conservancy grassland projects: Nachusa Grasslands Preserve in Illinois, Clymer Meadow and Cowleech Prairie Preserves in Texas, and the Mount Hamilton Project in California.

$500,000 - $999,999

AMEREN

Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust, established by the energy-service utility Ameren Corporation, provides funding for education, youth and elderly services and the environment throughout the company's Missouri and Illinois service areas. Today, Ameren's generous support is advancing the Conservancy's Illinois River Project. By partnering with the Conservancy, Ameren is helping to restore critical habitat along the Illinois River for the benefit of natural and human communities.

Northern Trust

Northern Trust, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, advances a culture of caring and a commitment to invest in the communities that they serve. From general operating support to the Illinois Chapter capital campaign, funding from Northern Trust has aided the protection of critical natural areas throughout the state. This year, Northern Trust is helping The Nature Conservancy in Illinois celebrate five decades of conservation success as the lead benefactor for the chapter’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.