None The Nature Conservancy in Illinois Press Releases Search All Press Releases Chris Anderson Email: canderson@tnc.org Phone:(312) 759-8017 ext. 30 Cell: (312) 218-0186

Exelon Corporation, the University of Illinois at Springfield and the Illinois State Museum offer Major Support for The Nature Conservancy’s Project

Chicago, IL–April 19, 2004–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.

Scientific research and modeling is guiding restoration of the 7,000-acre wetland project. Renown scientists and managers from public and private groups across the country have been actively engaged in studying the site, conducting research and in creating computer models using information gathered from the site and from the Illinois River by universities, government agencies and private entities. More than forty of these scientists and managers will gather in Peoria for a two-day science conference April 20 & 21 to review scientific data and information generated during the past two years, information that the Conservancy is using to guide restoration and management of the project.

“With the support of community-minded groups and leaders such as Exelon Corporation, the University of Illinois at Springfield and the Illinois State Museum, together we can discover our past and influence our future, while improving the health of natural areas.  These joint projects and support will have a positive influence on human health, on quality of life issues, and on the economic health of our communities,” said Bruce Boyd, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Illinois.

Exelon Corporation, ComEd and PECO Energy, have made a $1 million, four-year commitment to support the work the Conservancy is doing at Emiquon, and to support similar conservation projects in areas serviced by PECO Energy in Pennsylvania.  Exelon has a long history of supporting projects that improve the health and quality of life for customers in communities serviced by the utility corporation. Employees will be volunteering their time at various Conservancy sites.

The University of Illinois at Springfield will establish a research and education center on the Emiquon site. The facility will be used as a classroom, laboratory and an office. The University will develop and deliver courses in several disciplines such as biology, chemistry, archaeology, history, and computer sciences in addition to multi-disciplinary courses at the center and through distance-learning classes.  Staff and students from the University will conduct research at the site and work with the Conservancy on monitoring and other educational activities in conjunction with educators and scientists from other universities, colleges, agencies and Dickson Mounds Museum.

Dickson Mounds Museum, sitting on a bluff overlooking Emiquon, will identify the rich archaeological inventory at the project site, and will work with the Conservancy to develop, sponsor and promote exhibits and educational programs related to Emiquon. Some mutual areas of interest include the natural and human history of Emiquon, and the history and important role that wetlands play in large river systems. The Museum is also interested in working with the University of Illinois at Springfield in planning and implementing the research and education center at Emiquon.

Major support as demonstrated by the Exelon Corporation gift and the partnerships with the University of Illinois at Springfield and Dickson Mounds Museum of the Illinois State Museum, reflect the value and high caliber conservation work the Conservancy is doing at Emiquon, restoring the 7,000-acre wetland to its past grandeur, for the benefit of Illinois today and tomorrow.

[Note to Media: for more information, an interview or photos and b-roll, please contact Genie Lester at 312-759-8017 ext. 23.]

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The Nature Conservancy is a leading international, non-profit organization that preserves the plants, animals and natural communities representing the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit us on the web at nature.org.