Wie pocicene S Message 
As I come to the end of three years as your president it is inter- 
esting to look back on them in retrospect. Our membership continues 
to grow in the face of inflation and a noticeable environmental back- 
lash linked to energy shortages. We have added three chapters and 
are working with several potential chapter groups now. 
The sanctuary property near Wayne has been deeded to us and 
will be in our hands in the near future; The Society has also recently 
received several small bequests, and two other sanctuaries are being 
investigated, one near Galena, the other near Alton. 
We are now in the midst of a major fund raising effort for the 
purchase of Bald Eagle roosting land through a cooperative project 
involving the Department of Conservation and Nature Conservancy. 
This type of joint effort is an excellent way to get more support 
behind conservation projects. 
Our Executive Director, Warren Dewalt, is still on a part-time 
basis, actually putting in much more time than that for which he 1s 
compensated. Warren has represented the Society as its spokesman 
before many hearings and legislative committees. His preparation is 
always thorough and the impression he makes helps build the con- 
servation image of the Socvety. 
During the last three years the United States has undergone an 
energy shortage. One year ago almost all advice was to conserve 
fossil fuels and cut down on our energy consumption. Then the oil 
embargo ended and gradually it has become “business as usual” 
again for gasoline use, electric power consumption and other energy 
consuming activities. The oil embargo should have taught us a les- 
son, for one day all of the fossil fuel will be used or too expensive to 
obtain. As conservationists we should be in the forefront of efforts to 
develop alternate sources of energy which do not destroy our environ- 
ment. 
One matter which came to the focus of the 7.4.S. board in the 
last year was our position with respect to the National Audubon 
Society. We explored merger possibilities but found no plan satisfac- 
tory to all concerned. We have formed no formal bond between 
N.A.S. and J.A.S. but intend to coexist in a state of cooperation and 
mutual understanding in efforts to strengthen conservation in IIlinois. 
Hopefully this will work, but some neophyte conservationists will 
probably still wonder just what “Audubon” is. 
In closing this final message, I sure urge all J.A.S. members to 
continue their support and increase it if possible. Our board will 
soon welcome the son of one of the best known birders in the coun- 
try, Roger Tory Peterson, Jr. We hope he will bring some of his 
father’s inspiration and leadership to us. I also wish to congratulate 
my successor, Peter Dring, and wish him well as your new president. 
—Peter C. Petersen 
235 McClellan Blvd. 
Davenport, Iowa 52803 
319-3 552/,0bn 
