Petes Ul eres Be Ula bees Ni — 385 
Nature Conservancy's Purpose in Illinois 
is, Too, Wild Lands for People 
by DR. MARGERY CARLSON 
id you read the article about The 
ature Conservancy on the front 
age of the March 11 issue of the 
fall Street Journal? It told about 
e purpose and accomplishments 
' this organization, which has 
‘eserved over 150,000 acres of nat- 
‘al land since 1960—40,000 of this 
nount in 1969. It has just one ob- 
ective— the saving of land for 
sterity. 
The Illinois Chapter of The Na- 
re Conservancy is doing its part. 
has saved over 2,000 acres in 20 
eas throughout the state. These 
e wild areas where birds, other 
limals and plants can live in 
ace, and where everyone may go 
r enjoyment and education. We 
ype to have a brochure describ- 
g these areas and telling how to 
ach them. 
One current project is the pres- 
vation of 550 acres of high forest- 
| bluffs and level plain along 
out three miles of the Vermilion 
ver between the small towns of 
well and Oglesby in LaSalle 
unty. This river has been de- 
ared one of the six most scenic 
vers by the state. 
The Illinois Chapter of The Na- 
re Conservancy is cooperating 
th the LaSalle County Conser- 
a District in purchase of this 
nd. 
The chapter, under leadership of 
Big Bend Project Committee, 
th Mrs. Edward Carus of Peru, 
4 as chairman, will raise the pur- 
ase price of 160 acres of this 
‘est. The Chapter already owns 
acres, and 23 more will be 
nated. 
The forest has miraculously es- 
caped destruction by grazing, lum- 
bering, fire and man. It has oaks, 
hickories, walnuts, and such un- 
usual trees as pawpaw and Ken- 
tucky coffee trees. The ground 
cover has many kinds of wild flow- 
ers, including two species of or- 
chids. A path along the bluff leads 
to The Point from which there is a 
splendid view of the whole valley. 
The Conservation District will 
buy the remainder of the land, in- 
cluding a caretaker’s house at the 
entrance, and the level plain, part 
of which is already developed with 
artificial ponds, lawns, planting of 
ornamental trees, a picnic shelter 
with large fireplace, and trails. 
School children will be brought 
here, and Scouts and other groups 
will have outings in this remark- 
able area under the supervision of 
Robert Joslin, the Conservation 
District’s outdoor director. Grown- 
ups will be guided by appointment 
with members of the project com- 
mittee. The general public cannot 
be admitted until the purchase 
price is raised. 
We must have $40,000 for the 
land and $5,000 for expenses of 
survey, lawyers, etc. You are urged 
when you contribute to consider 
how much land your contribution 
will buy at $250 an acre. This price 
is a real bargain. 
Make your checks payable to the 
Illinois Chapter, The Nature Con- 
servancy, Big Bend Project, and 
mail to the treasurer, Mr. Charles 
Haffner III, 2223 Martin Luther 
King Drive. Chicago, Ill. 60616. 
Deductible? Yes. 
—2308 Harizell, Evanston 
WILL YOU LOAN, to IAS, some of your best 35mm color slides of 
birds, flowers, and mushrooms? Society headquarters wants to make 
duplicates in order to improve its photo files for educational purposes. 
Mail to the IAS office in Downers Grove. Thanks! 
