Press Releases
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Contact Info
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April 24, 2008: $10 Million Gift Expands Conservation in Africa
Conservation of Africa’s famed wild landscapes will expand with innovative strategies funded by a generous $10 million donation by Oak Brook, Illinois, resident Connie Keller, chair of the board of trustees for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, and her husband, Dennis Keller, chair of the board of trustees for the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF).
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Julianne Beck mobile: (312) 259-0103 jbeck@tnc.org AWF Contact: Elizabeth Miranda tel: (202) 939-3324 emiranda@awf.org |
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April 23, 2008: The Nature Conservancy and Meijer Re-Launch Garden Center Partnership with Earth Day “Open House”
The Nature Conservancy and Meijer stores are teaming up again to encourage shoppers to select non-invasive plants, trees and shrubs for their backyards, and they are kicking off this year’s program with a special Earth Day open house on April 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at all 181 Meijer stores throughout the Midwest.
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Julianne Beck Tel: (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 mobile: (312) 259-0103 jbeck@tnc.org |
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April 23, 2008: The Nature Conservancy Urges House to Pass Ballast Water Legislation
The House of Representatives is poised to vote today on legislation supported by The Nature Conservancy that will block one of the top pathways through which invasive species are introduced to our nation’s lakes, rivers and seas. If passed, the Ballast Water Treatment Act will go a long way toward halting further invasions which have already cost our economy billions in control efforts.
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Julianne Beck tel: (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 mobile: (312) 259-0103 jbeck@tnc.org |
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April 18, 2008: Field Station at the Emiquon Preserve Opens
The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve is the new home to The University of Illinois at Springfield's Emiquon Field Station. The public is invited to an open house to explore the Field Station’s state of the art research and educational facilities.
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TNC Contact: Julianne Beck mobile: (312) 259-0103 jbeck@tnc.org UIS Contact: Cheryl Peck tel: (217) 206-7823 Peck.Cheryl@UIS.edu |
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December 27, 2007: Conservancy Applauds Congressional Appropriations Bill for Shawnee National Forest
The Nature Conservancy today applauded Senator Richard Durbin’s (D-IL) support for the FY’08 Interior Appropriations Bill that will fund the Shawnee National Forest with $850,000. This funding will enable the U.S. Forest Service to acquire land within the purchase boundaries of the forest.
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Julianne Beck Tel: (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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November 20, 2007: Dreaming of a “Green” Christmas?
The Nature Conservancy issues tips for a greener holiday, with ideas for Thanksgiving through the New Year to help save the planet – to say nothing of your wallet and your sanity.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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October 30, 2007: StartOneConversation Campaign Connects Chicagoans to Global Conservation
Billionaire. Danger. Bleach. These three words are among 50 conversation starters presented by The Nature Conservancy in Illinois to encourage Chicagoans to talk about the global conservation issues that impact their daily lives. Vibrant images from Chicago and around the world are paired with conversation starters in the series of displays currently posted across the city and online at www.StartOneConversation.org.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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October 29, 2007: The Nature Conservancy in Illinois Appoints New State Director
The Nature Conservancy announces the appointment of Leslee Spraggins as the new State Director of the Illinois Chapter. Spraggins brings 14 years of experience with The Nature Conservancy to the role, most recently as the organization’s State Director in Iowa where she led the revitalization of the chapter’s conservation and fundraising programs.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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September 19, 2007: Fall Symposia to Address Critical Conservation Issues and Solutions
In partnership with The University of Chicago Graham School of General Studies, The Nature Conservancy presents a series of three symposia featuring scientific, academic and business leaders who will share their insights concerning the protection of the lands and waters around the world essential to our well-being.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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September 17, 2007: Conservancy Honors Sen. Frerichs and Rep. Moffitt for Support of Illinois Prescribed Burn Act
The Nature Conservancy will present Acorn Awards to State Rep. Don Moffitt and Sen. Michael Frerichs in honor of their sponsorship of the Illinois Prescribed Burn Act.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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June 28, 2007: Conservancy Applauds Congressional Appropriations Bill for Shawnee National Forest
The Nature Conservancy applauds the work of Senator Richard Durbin in requesting to fund the Shawnee National Forest to allow the US Forest Service to acquire more land.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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June 19, 2007: The Nature Conservancy Receives Grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
The Nature Conservancy was recently awarded a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for its acquisition of land in the Illinois Ozarks.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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June 19, 2007: The Nature Conservancy Receives Grant from the Grand Victoria Foundation
The Nature Conservancy just recieved a grant from the Grand Victoria Foundation for its acquisition of a parcel of land adjacent to its Nachusa Preserve.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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June 14, 2007: UIS breaks ground for premier field station at Emiquon Preserve
Groundbreaking for the new field station at Emiquon Preserve is taking place today. The field station will be used for both education and research purposes with the help of University of Illinois-Springfield in the Conservancy's effort to restore Emiquon.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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May 02, 2007: Illinois House of Representatives to Honor Carl Becker
Carl Nels Becker, former director of conservation programs for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, will be honored today when the Illinois House of Representatives reads a resolution highlighting his distinguished career and numerous contributions to conservation in Illinois.
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Julianne Beck 312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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May 01, 2007: The Nature Conservancy Launches Landmark Floodplain Restoration at the Emiquon Preserve
The largest project of its kind in the Midwest is expected to become a model restoration effort across the globe.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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April 12, 2007: Bob Moseley Named Director of Conservation Programs in Illinois
The Nature Conservancy announced today the appointment of Bob Moseley as the director of conservation programs in Illinois. He will be based out of the Conservancy’s Peoria office. In his new capacity, Moseley will oversee all of The Conservancy’s conservation work in Illinois including preserve stewardship, science, and government relations.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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April 09, 2007: The Nature Conservancy Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Illinois
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a series of public events in 2007. Since it was founded, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois has preserved and restored grasslands, savannas, forestlands, wetlands and freshwater habitat throughout the state.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26 Cell: (312) 259-0103
jbeck@tnc.org |
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March 05, 2007: The Nature Conservancy and Fulcrum Point Collaborate To Unite Art and Nature
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois and Fulcrum Point New Music Project will join together March 13 to hold a unique concert that will illuminate fire’s natural role in the prairie state.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26
jbeck@tnc.org |
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March 01, 2007: New Study: Illinois Falling Dramatically Behind in Protecting Open Space
Illinois ranked in the bottom third of states in spending for open space, and dead last by a wide margin in the Midwest in state-owned protected land, according to Illinois State Land Conservation Funding, a report released today.
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Julianne Beck (312) 759-8017, ext. 26
jbeck@tnc.org |
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November 27, 2006: Retiring Illinois Congressman Recognized for Long Record of Supporting Conservation
U.S. Rep. Lane Evans (D-Rock Island) was presented a lifetime achievement award earlier this month for his longtime support of efforts to restore natural areas along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.please
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Chris Anderson 312) 759-8017 ext. 30
(312) 218-0186 (cell)
canderson@tnc.org |
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November 01, 2006: Great Rivers Partnership Hires Ecosystems Services Specialist
The Nature Conservancy announced the hiring of Bruce McKenney as ecosystems services project director of its Great Rivers Partnership. McKenney’s work will focus on demonstrating the economic and ecological value of freshwater habitats and exploring market-based conservation strategies.
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Chris Anderson (312) 759-8017, ext. 30
(312) 218-0186 (cell)
canderson@tnc.org |
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September 25, 2006: Emiquon Preserve is Enrolled in Wetlands Reserve Program
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that most of the Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve in Fulton County is now enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).
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Chris Anderson (312) 759-8017, ext. 30
(312) 218-0186 (cell)
canderson@tnc.org |
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June 26, 2006: Paul West to Demonstrate Benefits of Great River Systems at International Conference
Paul West, associate science director for the Conservancy’s Great Rivers Center for Conservation and Learning, a virtual science center created to house and share important research on major rivers, will present his analysis at the conference during a Conservancy-led session on ecosystem services.
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Chris Anderson (312) 759-8017 ext. 20
(312) 218-0186
canderson@tnc.org |
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May 31, 2006: Bald Eagle Hatched at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve
A pair of bald eagles has produced the first eaglet at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve since the 7,100-acre property was purchased more than five years ago.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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March 13, 2006: List of Critical Conservation Sites for the Great Lakes Released
The Nature Conservancy’s Great Lakes Program and the Nature Conservancy of Canada jointly announced today the release of the first Binational Conservation Blueprint for the Great Lakes; a plan that reveals areas in critical need of conservation in both the United States and Canada.
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Chris Anderson (312) 218-0186 (cell)
canderson@tnc.org |
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February 10, 2006: Illinois Legislative Leaders Recognized for Protecting Private Lands
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is pleased to recognize outstanding contributions made by a couple of key Illinois legislators to protect open spaces.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30 |
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February 09, 2006: New Site Acquired to Help Rare Grasslands Bird Recover
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois played an integral role in helping the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) acquire 320 acres in Jasper County on Thursday. The acquisition benefits the state-endangered greater prairie chicken.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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January 06, 2006: Huge Machines to Mow Down Damaging Brush at Nature Preserve
Contractors will use heavy-duty equipment starting today and continuing into next week to open up overgrown areas of The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands preserve located near Franklin Grove in North-central Illinois.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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November 16, 2005: Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Search Team Leaders Coming to Chicago
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois and the Field Museum of Natural History are hosting a public event on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, to discuss the re-discovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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October 20, 2005: New Associate Director of Government Relations Hired to Support The Nature Conservancy in Illinois
The Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy announced the addition of Susan Donovan to its government relations team today.
Donovan, the associate director of government relations, will work closely with state officials on administrative matters and legislation relating to conservation.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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August 05, 2005: Conservancy Applauds Congressional Appropriations Bill for Shawnee National Forest
One of Illinois’ largest natural areas is expected to get even bigger with the FY’06 Interior Appropriations Bill recently approved by Congress that designates $250,000 for Shawnee National Forest.
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Chris Anderson email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone: 312-759-8017 x30 |
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June 15, 2005: The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Expands to 2,500 Acres
One of Illinois’ most significant and dynamic prairies—The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands Preserve—is growing from 1,500 acres to more than 2,500 acres. The expansion secures vital habitat for rare and declining plants and animals, including Blanding’s turtle, Henslow sparrow, bobolink, Franklin ground squirrel, fame flower and kittentail flowers, while protecting critical open space in the quickly-expanding northeastern Illinois growth corridor.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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February 18, 2005: The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Formalize Partnership
Washington officials today announced a nationwide partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a division of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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February 15, 2005: The Nature Conservancy Applauds President’s Support for Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest Project
Chicago, IL – The Nature Conservancy today applauded President Bush’s request to fund the Shawnee National Forest project with $1.5 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Fiscal Year 2006.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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January 14, 2005: $12 Million from Caterpillar Inc. Launches Ambitious Global Freshwater River Project
The Nature Conservancy, with a generous $12 million gift from the Caterpillar Foundation of Caterpillar Inc., is undertaking an ambitious project that will guide protection of the world’s vanishing freshwater supply and transform the way large working river systems are preserved and protected.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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December 09, 2004: Illinois Legislative Leaders Recognized for Championing Open Space Funding
The Nature Conservancy is pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions that several key Illinois legislators have made to protect our open spaces.
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Chris Andercon Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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December 02, 2004: Nature Conservancy Applauds Congressional Appropriations Bill for Illinois Projects
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois applauds Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) and Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), for helping to ensure funding for important conservation work in Illinois through the FY ‘05 Omnibus Appropriations Bill recently approved by Congress.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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October 26, 2004: Plan to update Critical Conservation Information in the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory
New plans are underway to update the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, which identifies and classifies the state’s vanishing natural heritage. Its pioneering implementation, beginning in 1978, made it a profound agent of change, driving decisions at multiple levels of Illinois government.
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Chris Andseron Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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September 27, 2004: Nature Conservancy Releases Preliminary Study on Critical Actions needed in the Upper Mississippi
The Conservancy, with the contribution of partners from 22 organizations, has undertaken a large-scale study to identify actions critical to restoring and protecting the Upper Mississippi River basin. The results are being shared with conservation organizations and others throughout the basin.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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June 10, 2004: Senate Bill Provides for Ecosystem Restoration of the Upper Mississippi River
The Upper Mississippi River and Illinois River Waterway Navigation and Ecosystem Restoration Bill, S. 2470, recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, authorizes navigation improvements and a $1.46 billion ecosystem restoration program.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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May 18, 2004: Great Lakes Interagency Task Force created
President Bush today established by executive order the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, chaired by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Mike Leavitt, which will coordinate 140 federal Great Lakes programs that fund and implement environmental restoration and management within the Great Lakes Basin.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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May 13, 2004: The Nature Conservancy and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, join forces
The Nature Conservancy and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division (USACE-MVD) today announced in West Alton, Missouri, the signing of a regional cooperative agreement to promote collaborative water management of the Mississippi River.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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April 19, 2004: Exelon Corporation and others offer Major Support for The Nature Conservancy’s Project
Emiquon, located along the Illinois River, is a project of The Nature Conservancy and the largest wetland restoration project of its kind in the United States. Offering support to this groundbreaking scientific effort is Exelon Corporation, the University of Illinois at Springfield, and Dickson Mounds Museum, a branch of the Illinois State Museum.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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March 31, 2004: The Nature Conservancy Announces $225,000 Ameren Corporation Gift to support Illinois River Project
The Nature Conservancy and its partners have been working on the Illinois River Project for more than a decade, using science to guide conservation work on a variety of projects throughout the basin. Healthy communities and economies rely on healthy water systems such as the Illinois River.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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September 30, 2003: New Study of Upper Mississippi Region Identifies Priority Places for Conservation
The Upper Mississippi River Basin is a national and natural treasure, the crown of one of the world’s major river systems in size, natural area variety, and diversity of species. The Nature Conservancy and NatureServe have jointly released the first-ever, comprehensive study of the freshwater ecosystems of the entire Upper Mississippi River Basin.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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September 10, 2003: Conservation Awards recognize Illinois Leaders
Recognizing the critical importance of stopping the influx of non-native, invasive plants into natural areas, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois will honor former Senator Larry Woolard (D-Carterville) and State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Norris City) with Conservation Appreciation Awards for their sponsorship of HB 666, the Illinois Exotic Weed Act.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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August 14, 2003: Chicago Great Lakes Scientist to speak at World Parks Congress in South Africa
Michele DePhilip, an aquatic ecologist with The Nature Conservancy’s Great Lakes Program, will be a speaker at the 5th World Parks Congress on Protected Areas to be held in Durban, South Africa, September 8 –17.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |
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July 15, 2003: Great Lakes Restoration Gets the Attention of Congress
The Nature Conservancy is encouraged by ongoing Congressional interest in a comprehensive and coordinated restoration of the Great Lakes watershed -- reinforcing the knowledge that the lakes are key to the health of United States (U.S.) and Canadian populations and to economic growth.
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Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org
Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30
Cell: (312) 218-0186 |