12 TAL EA DU BIO W Sb Ua Ee 
OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE to the Prairie Chicken Foundation in the cam- 
paign to acquire habitat lands for the species has been the Prairie Grouse 
Committee of Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The Foundation 
was formed in 1959 with an aim to acquire acreages through public solici- 
tation of funds; response was good and public acceptance was forthcoming, 
but donations were small and it became evident in the mid-1960s that 
funding was not being accelerated in amounts necessary to cope with 
critical urgencies of habitat need, coupled with rising land prices. 
Consequently, the Prairie Grouse Committee was organized in 1965 by 
The Nature Conservancy which, by nature of its dedication to funding such 
purposes, was in a favorable position to push acquisition rapidly. Within 
two years after the committee was formed, about 400 acres were added 
to the Bogota-Newton area sanctuaries and a 160-acre tract near Kinmundy 
in Marion County was purchased. In 1970, the Conservation Department 
bought 410 acres in Jasper and Marion Counties from The Nature 
Conservancy. 
There are presently about 960 acres in 11 tracts in the Jasper County 
system and about 300 acres in Marion County. The latter is in three tracts, 
all owned or leased by the Prairie Grouse Committee. Population of the 
prairie chicken is reduced from uncounted millions of birds 100 years ago 
to less than 600 individuals now in the state—about 400 on the Jasper 
County areas and the remainder on the Marion County tracts and in a few 
known scattered wild flock remnants elsewhere. 
SANCTUARY STUDIES of the prairie chicken during the past decade have 
added considerably not only to knowledge of the species itself, but to the 
sum total of what is known in general of upland birds. Mating habits, 
nesting requirements and data, predator-prey relationships, habitat im- 
portance and other facets of ecological value in prairie chicken manage- 
ment have been documented in day-to-day observations by biologists of 
the Natural History Survey and the Department of Conservation. 
Blinds have been constructed at strategic points overlooking the 
“booming” grounds on several of the Jasper County sanctuaries. Reserva- 
tions to observe the twice-daily traditional “booming” or mating dances 
of the prairie chicken can be made in advance with Ron Westemeier, 
Natural History Survey wildlife specialist on the sanctuary project. 
(Westemeier’s address is 304 Poplar Drive, Effingham, Ill. 62401, phone 
217-342-6075.) Audubon and student groups keep the registration list heavy 
Citation to Joe Galbreath from 
The Illinois Nature Conservancy: 
“In recognition for his long continued leadership as chairman of 
the Prairie Chicken Foundation of Illinois which successfully sustained 
the remnant population of the prairie chicken near Bogota, Illinois, 
during their most critical period 1954-1973 and which was instrumental 
in their recovery from near extirpation to a healthy and viable popu- 
lation. This certificate is given in grateful appreciation for his indefati- 
gable efforts that our state and nation may still enjoy the Illinois strain 
of this incomparable pinnated grouse as part of our natural heritage.” 
