SPRNGFIELD – Sixty years ago Illinois led the world with the visionary Natural Areas Preservation Act, creating the Illinois Nature Preserves system. This system of protecting land was a model that was followed by many other states and was championed by many passionate and dedicated activists.
Today the Illinois Nature Preserves system protects 622 Preserves totaling 121,492 acres and there are still many passionate and dedicated people who care and advocate for them. We will celebrate these preserves and their many champions for the last 60 years with a Illinois Nature Preserves weekend, August 26-28. The weekend will culminate in a special IL Nature Preserves Commission meeting on Monday, August 28th at Illinois’ first Nature Preserve, Illinois Beach Nature Preserve.
But before that, on Saturday, August 26th, partners across the state are planning dozens of tours and hikes at Illinois Nature Preserves. A map showing the tour locations with links to register for these free events is https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1_BIGXPrKBU_BUd0MkAML-zHrLMCaA84&ll=39.78277625358166%2C-89.48896314999999&z=6
On Sunday, August 27th there will be a gallery walk at the IL State Museum in Lockport that will celebrate Illinois Nature Preserves with artist Philip Juras who has painted scenes from dozens of Illinois Nature Preserves. More information and link to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-long-view-a-past-view-and-a-future-view-tickets-682355392347
The festivities conclude with a special Illinois Nature Preserves Commission meeting at the very first dedicated Nature Preserve, Illinois Beach in Zion, IL, with a ceremony and reception. Besides the opportunity to become better acquainted with the process to protect Illinois nature, attendees will also have the chance to demonstrate how much protecting nature matters to the conservation community. A full schedule of weekend events can be found here: https://friendsofillinoisnaturepreserves.org/inps-weekend/
Advocates and activists for natural areas spurred the creation of the Nature Preserve system 60 years ago, and they are also the ones who have continued to save and celebrate the incredible wildernesses of Illinois. While the Illinois preserve system was a successful and heralded national model for “saving” ecosystems from “development” – the system misjudged how much work would be required to ward off degradation from invasive species, climate change, and other stresses. At these events we’ll bring together local stewardship volunteers, professional ecologists, IDNR and INPC staff, local landowner staff, advocates, activists, and allied conservationists to celebrate, collaborate, and set the agenda for the next 60 years of Prairie State preservation.