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NATURE CONSERVANCY SEEKS FUNDS TO PURCHASE BERKELEY PRAIRIE 
a a can tana le ahead Sot Ah 
Lake County citizens are being asked to contribute $14,500 to help preserve 
a unique 18-acre prairie on the Highland Park-BDeerfield boundary at Berkeley 
and Ridge Roads. The Illinois Chapter of the Nature Conservancy has agreed 
to purchase the tract from its private owners for $59,500 and sell it to the 
Lake County Forest Preserve District for $45,000, if it can raise the $14,500 
balance. 
On May 2, the officials of the Forest Preserve District agreed to lay aside 
345,000 after many citizens expressed their interest in preserving the prairie. 
This prompted the Nature Conservancy to negotiate with the owners, who are 
making a charitable contribution to the Project ‘to. the extent of the excess of 
the full market value over the sale price. As of August 7, $6,000 has been 
raised. 





| 
Berkeley Prairie is fairly reasonable in price, compared to the $200,000 paid 
for the 7-acre Peacock Prairie. Although Berkeley Prairie is not in the 
oristine condition of Peacock Prairie, it can be restored without too much 
work, Prairie grasses, such as turkeyfoot and Indian grass, grow 5 to 8 feet 
fall on the site and a succession of brilliant prairie flowers bloom through- 
2ut the season, 
John Humke, Midwest representative of the Nature Conservancy, said that brush 
vill be removed from the prairie in the fall, after the prairie plants are 
Jormant. Experts on prairie restoration whose advice will be consulted include 
staff members of the Morton Arboretum and Dr. Marjorie Carlson, professor 
meritus of botany at Northwestern. Some of the typical prairie species are 
1issing from the tract, but some of these have already been transplanted by 
farian Cole of Deerfield. 
ee ee ee 





| Kentucky Senator John Sherman Cooper has informed me that it seems 
| the Red River Gorge has new life at the present time. It is under 
: consideration to move the Proposed dam 5% miles down stream and 
| Save the esthetic and geological characteristics and flora and 
fauna of the upper Red River Gorge. 
. 
William G. Stroud, Scenic Rivers Comn. 











PLANNING TO BUY SOMETHING THIS FALL? 
Don't forget that Illinois Audubon Society may be able to Satisfy 
| your needs for books, bird charts for your game room, bird tiles, 
bird cards, binoculars and armpatches. Our Regional Office under 
Mrs. Clarence Peterson, is open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. 
Drop in at the second floor at 1017 Burlington Ave., Downers Grove, 
Illinois. 


