The Nature Conservancy Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Illinois

CHICAGO—April 9, 2007 —The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a series of public events in 2007. Throughout its history, the Conservancy in Illinois has protected nearly 80,000 acres of natural areas across the state, and has had a far-reaching impact on regional and global conservation efforts.

The Conservancy’s land protection effort in the state began in 1957 with the acquisition of Volo Bog, a 47.5 acre preserve in northeastern Illinois. A designated National Natural Landmark since 1973, the site now encompasses approximately 1,150 acres including the open-water bog, marshes, prairie restorations and woodlands that are home to more than 20 threatened or endangered species. Volo Bog, now managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, marks the Conservancy’s first success story in the state.

Since it was founded, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois has preserved and restored grasslands, savannas, forestlands, wetlands and freshwater habitat throughout the state. In its more recent history, the Illinois program has expanded its work to include high-quality natural landscapes of global significance.

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois has been a leader in conserving natural areas located outside the state by helping establish the Conservancy’s Mississippi River Program and by launching the Conservancy’s Great Rivers Partnership, an ambitious effort to guide protection of imperiled freshwater systems across the globe.

Several events are scheduled to mark the Conservancy’s 50th Anniversary in Illinois, including preserve tours and a Gala at Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The Gala will include a private viewing of the museum’s exhibits, a special Marine Mammal show, and an opportunity to talk with Conservancy scientists from around the world. Additional events will include a three-part lecture series in the fall at The University of Chicago Gleacher Center. The series will explore topics such as climate change and sustainable economic growth with some of today’s leading authorities in the field.

“The anniversary permits an opportunity to reflect on the success stories of previous projects in Illinois, but also to envision the future and assess ways to build on our strengths and experiences to conserve the important lands and waters around the world for the benefit of people and nature alike,” remarked Michael Reuter, acting state director.

Within Illinois, the Conservancy is currently protecting some of the largest and best prairie remnants in the Midwest at its Indian Boundary Prairies preserve south of Chicago and its Nachusa Grasslands preserve south of Rockford. The Conservancy is also saving globally significant oak barrens, prairies and sedge meadows in the Kankakee Sands region located south of Kankakee. This year, key steps will be taken to continue the largest floodplain restoration project in the Midwest at the Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve located along the Illinois River southwest of Peoria.

In addition, the Conservancy continues to consolidate forestland within the Illinois Ozarks, a major breeding ground for numerous species of migratory songbirds in Southern Illinois. It also is working with partners to restore the internationally significant Cache River Wetlands, home to swamps that include ancient cypress and tupelo trees.

The Conservancy was instrumental in creating Chicago Wilderness, an alliance of more than 200 public and private organizations working together to protect, restore and manage natural areas within the Chicago region, including much of northeastern Illinois, as well as southeastern Wisconsin and northwestern Indiana.

“In Illinois, our local actions have a very real global significance,” said Bob Moseley, director of conservation in Illinois. “The multiple scales at which we work in local, regional, and global areas, ensure the enduring impact of our efforts.”

In all of its efforts, the Conservancy employs science to identify conservation priorities and addresses them through a collaborative and non-confrontational manner. This makes it essential for the Conservancy to work with partners—communities, businesses, government agencies, multilateral institutions and other non-profit organizations.

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is supported by 33,000 members across the state. Over 5,000 members of the Volunteer Stewardship Network, which is supported by the Conservancy’s Illinois program, also contribute to more than 300 natural areas around the state.

Northern Trust is the lead benefactor of The Nature Conservancy in Illinois' 50th anniversary celebrations.

To commemorate the anniversary, the 13 current and former chairs of The Nature Conservancy in Illinois have joined together to issue a leadership challenge to supporters. They have committed $500,000 to match all new and increased annual gifts made during the 2007 anniversary year on a 1:1 basis.