38 THE AUDUBON? BUd Eis 
area had begun also. He realized his 
original estimate of the size of the 
area would have to be compromised 
to about 2,500 acres of the remaining 
prairie. 
“In pursuing his activities around 
the State, he became acquainted 
with many people in conservation 
groups, which included most of those 
associated with the Open Lands 
Project. He knew this group had 
achieved success with Beall Woods 
on the Wabash River in southeastern 
Illinois. He concluded this group was 
the best in the State to conduct a 
successful campaign for the Goose 
Lake Area. 
“Accordingly, arrangements were 
made with the Open Lands Project 
and in the late fall of 1966 a field 
trip to the area was conducted. Due 
to inclement weather, it was limited 
to a walk along the E.J.&E. right- 
of-way. The following spring on a 
more extensive field trip exploring 
ate their lunches, and were discus 
ing what should be done to preser 
the prairie. Floyd suggested sin 
the State of Illinois did not have 
Prairie State Park, the Goose Lal 
Area should become one. 
“The Open Lands Project carri 
the ball from there. Most of #¢] 
newspapers and conservation orgar 
zations in the state eventually su 
ported the Goose Lake Prairie Sta 
Park proposal. Floyd worked quie 
ly behind the scenes in gaining son 
of this support. 
“Floyd Zebell is an outstandu 
conservationist who has made a m 
jor contribution to conservation 
the public interest in Will Coun 
and the State itself.” 
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Floyd Zeb 
and Will County Sportsman’s Ch 
were recently presented the Dr. / 
fred Lewy Memorial Book Awa 
by IAS for their efforts in behalf 
the prairie, the group assembled, | the Des Plaines Wildlife Refuge.) 
SPECIAL GOOSE LAKE PRAIRIE REPORT 
The people of Illinois now own Goose Lake Prairie, and plans are und 
way to make it known to scientists and conservationists throughout t 
world as a living example of the vast American prairielands discovered | 
explorers in the New World. Purchase of 1,721 acres of the prairie 
Grundy County, encompassing the major part of its wild terrain, was col 
pleted at a total cost of $2,401,190, according to William L. Rutherfoi 
Illinois state director of conservation. More than $650,000 of this sum Ww 
given by private individuals and organizations in response to a three-mon 
fund appeal by the Open Lands Project. 
Jeffrey R. Short, Jr., president of the Project, and a leader in the fc 
year battle to preserve Goose Lake Prairie, said that “Private gifts, — 
save the prairie, from more than 1,800 private individuals and organizatio 
throughout Illinois indicate a respect for natural values among a wi 
cross section of our citizens. It offers a hope that we can reverse the stea 
loss of other areas of great natural beauty and scientific interest.” 
Rutherford said that the federal government already has recogniz 
Goose Lake Prairie as a conservation area of national importance and 
expected to reimburse the state for much of the present and future gover 
ment funds allocated for land purchases there. Acquisition of remaini 
wild areas of the prairie now is being negotiated, and adjacent land a! 
