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The situation in Illinois: 
Our state now has over 35,000 acres in state parks. A regional govern- 
ment unit has suggested that Illinois add 65,000 acres within the next 20 
years. Conservation Director William Lodge has declared in many talks 
across the state that we need possibly a $150,000,000 land-requisition 
program in Illinois. This program cannot be financed out of “economy” 
in state government. It cannot be handled in a leisurely fashion. Open 
spaces are rapidly disappearing, especially in the urban areas, where they 
are most needed. For example, a delightful area of rolling, wooded hills 
which would have made a fine State Park in DuPage county has been con- 
verted into another shopping and industrial center. This change can be 
duplicated all over the state. 
Can we emulate other states? 
What is badly needed is greater leadership. Illinois by its approval 
of a new judicial article to the State Constitution last November, demon- 
strated that it can move forward when it is given the facts. The same 
combination of leadership from; the press, business concerns, civic groups 
and statesmen can provide Illinois with a vigorous open space program. 
Conservation clubs in Illinois may well examine their actions to determine 
if they are alerting their own members, the press, the business community, 
and other civic groups concerning this grave problem. Cake-and-coffee 
conservationists will never save an acre of land. 
Not so Silent Spring — Evidently Rachel Carson’s dynamic book, 
Silent Spring, is having a healthy effect in exposing the gravity of the 
pesticide problem in America. The chemical industry has rushed a counter- 
attack to discredit the book. The Nutrition Foundation, Chemical and 
Engineering News, and Science magazine, among others, have published 
stories denouncing Rachel 'Carson and her sober treatment of the pasticide 
situation. You can order a copy for yourself at $5.00 from our Book Sales 
Chairman, Leroy Tunstall, 323 E. Wesley St., Wheaton, Ill. This book will 
be talked about for years. 
Yeatter Sanctuary Campaign Nears its Goal. At the time this article was 
written, the Prairie Chicken Foundation of Illinois was within $2,500 of 
its goal of paying off the debt on its 77-acre sanctuary near Bogota, Illinois. 
Field trips are being planned for this spring. One of the healthy side effects 
of this campaign to save the Prairie Chicken in our state is the increased 
interest demonstrated by our Conservation Department in helping to save 
this bird. It has leased over 640 acres of land and kept it in grass. The 
Prairie Chicken Foundation of Illinois will need far more than one small 
sanctuary; it intends to buy several such plots. Your contributions in any 
amount are still needed and will be gratefully received. 
615 Rochdale Circle, Lombard, Illinois 
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