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| lost, as yet. We still have much to do to encoura 

1.A.S, Newsletter ~ August 1967 ~ 5 - 
ANNUAL CONF&RENCE, NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF ILLINOIS 
nan NL UH ILLINOIS 
The annual conference of the Natural Resources Council of Illinois, a forum 
for conservation groups, will be held at East Bay Camp, Lake Bloomington, 
Bloomington, Illinois, on October 6, 7 and 8, The theme for this meeting 
will be "Countdown for Conservation," Participating in arrangements will be 
the Izaak Walton League of Illinois, the Illinois Audubon Society and the 
Illinois Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Speakers will include well-known 
figures in conservation and government officials, Elton Fawks, who is active in 
a number of conservation groups, is chairman of the Council, 
N.R.C.I. was founded in 1954 by a group of conservationists who felt that 
Illinois was in great need of a fo 
rum where professional and volunteer conserva— 
tionists could meet and discuss problems in conservation, The Council itself 
is non-partisan and endorses no legislation. Its only purpose is to provide 
a forum for discussion and education, Action is fostered through cooperation 
of represented organizations, 
All Illincis groups interested in conservation are urged to send delegates 
to the thirteenth annual conference in October, Anyone wishing further informa- 
tion and desiring to Join N.R.C.I, may write Mr, Fawks, RR1, Box 1l2, East Moline, 
Illinois, 
~ Submitted by Mrs. A. M. Jens, dr. 
LLLINOIS~MICHIGAN CANAL & TOWPATH PROJECT 
ne AU WALT PROJECT 
Many people in northern Illinois have discovered the varied potential of 
the Illinois-Michigan Canal & Towpath as a recreational facility. To further 
advertise its possibilities and to encourage legislation aimed at making the 
area into a state park, "Operation Greenstrip" was conducted May 5 to May 7, 
1967. The project had the Support of seventeen organizations, It is estimated 
over 5,100 persons participated, 
Although the weather was unpleasantly cool and damp, the smal] 
Channahon was filled with Campers with many kinds of equipment, 
numerous canoeists, fishermen, naturalists, 
recreational facilities of the canal, 
state park at 
There were 
teachers and hikers enjoying the 
The registration stations located at two 
different sites near the canal were doing an active business answering inquiries 
and handing out literature, Special programs were planned and conducted at 
several locations along the canal, 
The I & M Canal, at present, is umer the jurisdiction of the State of 
Illinois Department of Public Works, The first step towards converting the canal 
to a recreational facility would be to transfer it to the Illinois Department of 
Conservation, House Bill 1535 was dram up for this purpose, The bill was 
defeated in House Committee by a vote of 7 to 6, William Lodge, Director of the 
Dllinois Department of Conservation, did mt Support the bill, 
Mr. Lodge is opposed to the immediate transfer of the entire canal to the 
This is where the matter stands at Present. It would seem that all is not 
ge the "intelligent determination" 
of the canal for recreational purposes, 
- Submitted by Zelma C, Williams, Vice-Chairman, I1].-Mich. Canal Committee of 
Illinois Audubon Society, 1028 Randolph St., Oak Park, Ill, 60322 



