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Conservation News and Notes 
By RAYMOND MOSTEK 
ILLINOIS CITIZENS MAy have their final opportunity to establish roadside 
standards on the new interstate highway system this year. The federal law 
providing a bonus for all states which have established highway billboard 
controls will run out on June 30, 1961. Our state is one of the few which 
has failed to act, though it would mean an added four million dollars in 
revenue for our highways. It would be unthinkable for the General As- 
sembly to fail to take advantage of this law, especially when the finances 
of the state are so low. However, unless conservationists become stirred up 
over the billboard blight along our highways, no legislation will be forth- 
coming. 
State Rep. Marion Burks of Evanston declares that he will again fight 
for a highway billboard control bill, as he did in 1959, when it lost by a 
close margin. With a new governor, it is possible that Illinois may achieve 
some maturity regarding its highway landscapes. The Garden Clubs of 
Illinois are leading the effort to establish controls. They are supported by 
the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Home Service Bureau (com- 
posed of farm wives), and the Illinois Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. 
More support is needed from men, for legislators are more impressed by 
letters from male objectors to our billboard slums. Evidently, women are 
expected to have an appreciation of the esthetic. 
In Connecticut, a few years ago, the Garden Clubs conducted such a 
vigorous drive for billboard controls that the legislators passed a bill in a 
hurry. Anyone who has driven over the highways of this state knows how 
badly controls were needed. The Pennsylvania Roadside Council has signed 
up over 52 organizations to battle for highway standards in that state. Let 
it not be said that Illinois citizens care less about their landscape. Audubon 
members interested in the campaign to add safety and beauty to our new 
highway system in Illinois are invited to send a self-addressed, stamped 
envelope to the writer. By return mail, as long as the supply holds out, 
that person will receive a printed list of the “100 Largest Users of Out- 
door Advertising,’ and a sheet of 14 stickers suitable for stationery, 
marked, “Fight Billboard Blight, Protect America’s Roadsides.”’ 
ff FI fH 
NOTES FROM THE NEST: Bird observers interested in cooperating with 
the federal migration study should write to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, for a free 
copy of their migration report for Spring, 1961. Observations are later 
tabulated by punch cards and office machines. . .Membership in the National 
Audubon Society reached a new high of 32,137 in September, 1960. . .The 
Illinois Conservation Department has a new film depicting the 184 miles 
of the Fox river from Chain-O-Lakes Park to Ottawa and describing the 
state program for development of recreational facilities. . .The State has 
announced release of funds for establishment of a new state park in north- 
west DuPage county which will contain over 1,000 acres. . .The Florida 
Audubon Society has revived the Bald Eagle Club in an effort to raise 
$50,000 for an investigation into the decline of our national bird. The $1.00 
membership fee may be sent to the Bald Eagle Club, c/o Florida Audubon 
Society, Box 825, Maitland, Fla. . .The U.S. Bureau of Public Roads has 
embarked on a long-range plan of landscaping 41,000 miles of our inter- 
state highway system. Properly planted shrubs can screen headlights, con- 
