ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 17 



In the year and one-half of its existence, the Conservation Council has 

 enrolled the following societies in its organization: The Geographic 

 Society of Chicago, The Prairie Club, The Horticultural Society, The 

 Municipal Art League, The Wild Flower Preservation Society of America, 

 Chicago Chapter. Riverside Chapter; The Illinois Audubon Society, 

 The Outdoor Art League, The Second District Women's Clubs, The 

 West End Woman's Club and The Ridge Woman's Club. 



It has given moral support to the Geographic Society and the Prairie 

 Club in their efforts to Preserve the Dunes, to save Stony Island, to protect 

 Starved Rock, the White Pine Forest, and Black Hawk Park. Both 

 delegates and Secretary have written letters to various authorities in this 

 work. It published and distributed 15,000 "Save the Wild Flower" 

 leaflets with the aid of the Outdoor Art League. At its meetings it has 

 urged delegates to keep the aims of the Friends of Our Native Landscape, 

 the Audubon Society, the Wild Flower Preservation Society and the 

 Outdoor Art League before their members. It has inspired editorials in 

 the newspapers and there is no question but that the attitude of railroads 

 toward wild flowers, and the public toward the dunes was influenced by 

 The Conservation Council. 



Lena M. McCauley, Secretary. 



What Has the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Done 



up to Date? 



Chicago, Jan. 15, 1917. 



It has examined by the inspection of the members of the Commission 

 and the Plan Committee over 21,000 acres of forest. It has had drawings 

 or recommendations made for over 15,000 acres, all of which have been 

 definitely recommended by the Plan Committee for purchase. The Forest 

 Preserve District — the official body — has accepted and concurred in these 

 recommendations and is now having the various legal and real-estate and 

 surveyor committees at work. Records of ownership and formal surveys 

 upon which legal descriptions can be based are being made for practically 

 all of the 15,000 acres as fast as the work can be taken up and pushed 

 along. 



In some instances the Commissioners are able to proceed by direct 

 negotiation and find themselves able to agree with the owners of certain 

 pieces of property upon the value of their holdings. Within this character 

 of dealings may be placed over 900 acres in the center of Deer Grove, 

 which is Forest Preserve No. 1 and is situated in the northwest part of 

 the County, about three miles north of Palatine. For more than two months 

 at this writing the people of Cook County have been in legal possession 

 of these 900 acres of beautiful hill, ravine and forest. The remaining 

 portion of the 1,100 acres of this preserve will become publicly owned 

 within a short time. Some of it is, like the first, under direct negotiation 

 and some of it will have to be acquired by condemnation. 



Forest Preserve No. 2 is along the Desplaines River extending about 

 three miles south from the north County line. Of this, over 400 acres in 

 Wheeling is acquired and owned by the public. Other portions of this 

 district will be acquired by negotiation. 



