U.S. National Wildlife Refuges protect our country’s natural heritage, offer countless recreation opportunities, provide habitat for plants and animals, and improve quality of life for millions of Americans. In addition to these important benefits, refuges are also important economic drivers. According to a new peer-reviewed report released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, refuges support […]
Riverside Habitat
Illinois Land Conversions Result in More Crop Acres
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released new data that show a net national loss of non-cropland (e.g., prairie, forest) due to conversion to cropland. In a one year period from 2011-2012, Illinois netted a 10,000 acre gain in cropland. This means we are losing habitat for recreation, wildlife, stormwater management, and open space. The reasons […]
Governor Quinn signs bill to improve access to private lands
Today, Governor Quinn signed into law SB 1042, an important bill to protect private landowners and conservation land trusts who wish to allow public access for outdoor recreation and education. For years, private landowners were exempt from liability, but a 2005 lawsuit over a sledding accident led to the loss of these protections. For fear […]
Take Action – Comment on Illiana Tollway project and attend public meeting
Your input is needed on a proposed tollway project that will traverse prime farmland, and several rivers and streams to connect I-65 near Lowell, Indiana to I-55 near Wilmington, Illinois. The 47-mile project–dubbed the Illiana Corridor–poses several potential environmental impacts. An Environmental Impact Statement that was completed in 2012 revealed the project will likely result in […]
LaSalle County to vote on temporary sand mining moratorium
Tomorrow afternoon, the LaSalle County Board will vote on a resolution to place a temporary moratorium on new silica sand mining operations. The county is currently working to update its Comprehensive Plan, a document they regularly rely upon to make land-use decisions. The moratorium will not only (temporarily) stop new mines from going in, but […]
