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Other areas that should be preserved are Smith’s Woods near Mount Car- 
roll, a piece of prairie south of Dixon, prairie around Chicago, areas of 
cypress, beech and maple stands, and the Volo bog. These natural areas are 
becoming more and more rare. 
Mr. Mostek, reporting on conservation publicity, suggested that our groups 
contact editors and explain the problems of parks, hunting, fishing, and 
pollution. Books can be bought and donated to libraries or schools. Mr. 
Royal McClelland of the Illinois Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs told of the 
leaflets and other material given to teachers on subjects such as building 
brush habitats, farm ponds, etc. Mr. Mostek’s committee agreed that an 
inter-club bulletin will be started. It will be put out every two months, with 
a different club paying mailing charges each time. Six persons have volun- 
teered to take over the editorship for the first year. 
The afternoon session began with a talk on the prairie chicken by Dr. 
Ralph Yeatter of the Illinois Natural History Survey. The birds have been 
declining rapidly in numbers since 1875. Although the species has held on 
persistently in a few places, chiefly in the redtop grass areas around New- 
ton County, conditions are getting worse. Prairie chickens have a rather 
short nesting cycle, in April and early May; if this is interrupted they will 
not nest again as do quail and pheasants. The birds must have safe nesting 
cover and bring off a high percentage of hatch to hold their own. As grass- 
land farming goes out, Illinois, like other states, must consider refuges as 
an alternative to losing its prairie chickens. There are prairie chickens in 
Lee County, where the land, sandy and not too valuable for agriculture, 
would make very good refuges. The problem is how to acquire and estab- 
lish these areas as sanctuaries. 
Mrs. Harold Dunton reported on the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs 
program for conservation education. They sent 15 girls to the conservation 
school at Lake Villa, and also are going to help with the teachers’ school at 
the state fairgrounds in Springfield. 
Miss Vera Shaw of the Ridgeway Bird Club showed slides of Bird Haven 
and discussed its problems. The club would like to see this 10l-acre area 
made a wildlife sanctuary under the supervision of the State Conservation 
Department. Miss Shaw suggested that those interested in helping this 
project should write to the president of the Ridgeway Club, Mr. William 
Bridges, R.R. 6, Olney. 
Mrs. Pauline Esdale gave a program of bird calls, and then the business 
meeting was convened. After the report of the treasurer, Mr. Lucas Wrisch- 
nik of the Cahokia Nature League, Mrs. E. E. Byerrum, chairman of the 
bylaws committee, gave her report, which was adopted with minor changes. 
The purpose of the Natural Resources Council shall be to coordinate and 
stimulate the efforts of individuals, organizations, and agencies interested 
in the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the natural resources 
of Illinois. There are three classes of members: regular (state-wide organi- 
zations with 3 delegates each; local, county, or regional organizations with 
2 delegates each); associate (business organizations with 1 delegate), and 
advisory (state and federal agencies and individuals). 
The annual meeting will be held in October, at a time and place to be fixed 
