THE Je UAB AOS (ON) iste pb OnAR ata 39 
s sought for construction of various recreation, education and service 
acilities. Limited public access to the Prairie is expected next spring. 
Imaginative plans for development of the new Goose Lake Prairie 
state Park are being prepared by the state conservation department under 
he direction of H. Dean Campbell, director of education. The natural 
ology of the wild prairie itself will be protected and enhanced by per- 
nitting the natural prairie cover to return on grazed areas and stocking of 
nany prairie animals and birds, including a herd of bison. 
However, a number of special features of general educational interest 
und public enjoyment are being considered in areas adjacent to the prairie. 
These include an environmental education center and replicas of a Mississip- 
ian Indian Village, a typical prairie homestead and the historic “Jugtown”’ 
ettlement and railroad depot. Camping areas are being considered. 
Within the prairie itself, the only major physical improvements planned 
re a network of nature trails and boardwalks across marshy areas leading 
0 major points of interest and beauty. A spokesman for the conservation 
iepartment has said that the new prairie park will be designed for both 
uublic and scientific use. Additional funds for development now are being 
ought by the department. 
“The North American Prairie is a distinctive natural environment 
vhich has never existed in any other place in the world and Goose Lake 
rairie, to our knowledge will be its finest remaining example,” according 
0 Dr. William J. Beecher, a world-famous ornithologist who participated 
n the discovery of the prairie tract four years ago. 
Dr. Beecher, director of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and a Pro- 
ect board member, has been a leading scientific authority advocating pres- 
rvation of the prairie, and now is engaged in taking a census of all plants 
nd animals which live there. 
“We already know of more than 260 different species of native plants 
nd flowers, some 50 native birds and many different types of prairie 
nimals and reptiles,’ he said. “This is a treasure house which will grow 
ar richer when we have had several years to restore the natural cover 
f the prairie.” 
He said that the current census would provide the basis for designing 
atural areas in the prairie state park, including its trails and boardwalks 
ver marshy areas, by locating the natural habitats of its most interesting 
ihabitants. 
Concerning the state acquisition, Dr. Beecher commented, “We are 
xtremely pleased, of course, that the state has taken action to pass on 
his part of its natural heritage to future citizens, but it is still frightening 
ome how nearly we missed saving the prairie. We are now making final 
isposal of all the land in our nation and in much of the entire world, and 
1an who has taken command of every other living thing on earth has a 
srrible responsibility to save the most beautiful and the most necessary 
arts of his natural environment.” 
je VOI ICONS 
Reptile-like he sails— 
plummeting down from Fall sky, 
Pelican prevails. 
—Joe Dvorak 
