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The Nature Conservancy in Illinois Appoints New State Director

Noted Conservationist Returns to the Illinois Prairie that Inspired her Career

Chicago, Illinois — October 29, 2007 — 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.

As State Director in Illinois, Spraggins will be responsible for leading all operations conservation strategy development and implementation, fundraising oversight and board development.  She will be in charge of producing measurable conservation results and setting state priorities, in addition to working with Conservancy partners on global projects stemming from Illinois, including freshwater and grassland preservation.

“We are delighted to welcome Leslee to the Illinois team,” said Connie Keller, chair, Illinois Board of Trustees.  “Leslee’s conservation background and strategic planning skills will allow her to lead us to the next level of conservation success.”

Leslee’s leadership experience was brought to bear during her six-year tenure as state director for the Conservancy’s Iowa program, where she initiated the chapter’s first capital campaign.  In addition, her previous conservation leadership includes significant contributions to the development of the Conservancy’s freshwater work along the Mississippi River.  Prior to her work in Iowa, Spraggins served as the Big Woods Project Manager for The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas where she worked with public and private partners to conserve and sustainably use the 500,000-acre bottomland hardwood forests.

Inspired by the prairie landscape since her undergraduate study at the University of Illinois, Spraggins eagerly anticipates her new role in the preservation of that landscape.  “I am thrilled to join the Illinois program,” said Spraggins.  “The conservation success here is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of the Board of Trustees, staff, members, and volunteers.”

Since it was established in 1957, The Conservancy in Illinois has protected nearly 80,000 acres across the state. Conservation areas stretch from the Cache River Wetlands in southern Illinois to Nachusa Grasslands in the northern part of the state. Ongoing priorities include the protection of remnants of Illinois prairies, river conservation including floodplain restoration along the Illinois River, and improving the Illinois Ozarks habitat for rare songbirds that migrate between Illinois and Central and South America.

“I am excited to work together with our partners to develop and pursue a shared vision for our conservation work on the ground and with issues at regional, national, and international levels,” said Spraggins.  She replaces former Illinois State Director Bruce Boyd, who stepped down earlier this year.