Be UNO arse AUD UFR OLN? BLUE ETN 13 
tangled with some wires on the outskirts of Bureau. His neck was broken, 
and he fell to the ground in front of a home. The concerned homeowners 
saved the body and contacted a conservation ofhcer. It was decided to 
freeze the remains and, according to last reports, the mounted specimen 
will be on display at our Illinois State Museum in Springfield, a place of 
honor which Whisper rightly deserves. 
His departure left us with a void, but with a feeling of satisfaction 
that he was not killed by a bullet and that, during his ten years in our 
midst, there were so many people concerned about his welfare. Not once 
did we hear of any person who tried to harm him. 
—404 North Church Street 
Princeton, Illinois 
Begin Inventory of State’s Natural Areas 
A 3-year program to_ identify Preserves Commission has the re- 
and record all natural land areas sponsibility to protect and manage 
within Illinois has been undertaken areas exhibiting natural conditions, 
by the Department of Conservation providing habitat for rare and en- 
and a $627,00 contract has been dangered species of wildlife or 
awarded to University of Illinois vegetation or which include geo- 
Landscape Architecture Depart- logical or other natural features of 
ment to do the work. special scientific or educational 
value, Conservation Director Tony 
The inventory will involve: Com- Dean explained. “These natural 
plete search of remaining natural areas are remnants of a heritage 
lands for significant terrestrial eco- of all Illinoisans and many of them 
systems; compilation of known should be preserved and protected 
natural areas, including aquatic for public benefit,” he said. 
ecosystems, endangered species 
habitat, geologic areas, Survey of However, since no comprehen- 
natural areas used for research, sive inventory of the state’s natural 
educational purposes; recording of areas exists, the work of protect- 
basic information on each area, ing such areas has been difficult 
including its ecological category, because their location or quality 
location, legal status; development often has been unknown, Dean 
of a computerized data retrieval added. He urged citizens with in- 
and analysis system. formation on natural areas to con- 
tact: Natural Areas _ Inventory 
The Conservation Department in Office, U of I, Rm. 214, Mumford 
cooperation with Illinois Nature Hall, Urbana, Ill. 62801. 
