Illinois Protects Funding for Natural Areas Acquisition

Partners for Parks and Wildlife, a broad coalition comprised of nearly 150 Illinois park, environmental, conservation, and outdoor recreation organizations (including the Chicago Wilderness Trust on behalf of the Chicago Wilderness consortium) rejoiced when the Illinois legislature finally passed a budget in late July, for it contained full funding for the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program and the Natural Areas Aquisition Fund (NAAF). These programs, which are supported by a dedicated portion of the real estate transfer tax, are primarily used by forest preserve districts, conservation districts, and park districts to purchase land for habitat preservation and for recreational purposes. Annually, the programs represent $30.6 million in Illinois' $54 billion budget.

The budget also preserves funding for state heritage biologists and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, which has helped to protect thousands of acres through conservation easements and other methods.

"The OSLAD program has been essential for acquiring open space in Illinois' most rapidly developing cities and villages," says Ted Flickinger, chief executive officer of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and founding member of Partners for Parks and Wildlife. "We commend the legislative leaders and the governor for keeping this dedicated funding intact. It sends a strong message to all citizens of Illinois that open space and recreation are important to our quality of life."

An estimated 2,500 acres of high-quality natural areas and endangered species habitat were in peril if the NAAF program had been cut from the budget. But Partners for Parks and Wildlife organized a concerted grass-roots campaign that proved successful in retaining the funding.

Though the funding for the acquisition programs was restored to the budget, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources still faces substantial funding cuts, the possible loss of as many as 150 staff or contract employees, and significant program reductions.