News

Buy Land Now

That’s the conclusion of a new report issued in May by the Openlands Project, the result of a two-year study of forest preserve and conservation districts in northeastern Illinois. (Get the full report and summary.)

While acknowledging that the 170,000 acres of preserved lands owned by county forest preserve and conservation districts are critical for protection of biodiversity, public education, and recreation, the report stressed that land acquisition must be the top priority, especially in counties facing explosive growth. The report also said that agencies must seek increases in state and federal funding; must ward off encroachments and decline to sell land; and must educate and inform people about the need for successful restoration of natural lands.