Opie ASU UE OONe Boss Lene N 
IAS Awards for 1973 
‘MAN-OF-THE-Y EAR’ 
The Dr. R. M. Strong Conservation and Ormthology Award to: 
DR. ROBERT FRANCIS BETZ 
. for has non-professional pioneering work in preserving original 
I linoss prairie terrain. 
Were it not for the heroic fight and impressive dedication of 
men like Dr. Betz, the prairie heritage of Illinois could have been 
wiped out by industrial ecilization: Ele poured himself into the 
cause, sacrificing much of his private time; and, among the victories, 
due richly to his persistence and scientific help, were: Goose Lake 
Prairie, 2,800 acres; Sante Fe Prairie, 10 acres; Gensburg-Markham 
Brattice) -acres: iG@allmetelraine, 2) acres: Wolf Prairie, 70 
acres, Peacock Prairie, 5 acres; and, Fischer Woods, Churchill 
Woods, Thorn Creek Woods, and others. Also to his credit and 
distinction are the two dozen old settler cemetery prairies, now 
preserved through his identification work and his enlisting or in- 
spiring the help of local historical societies, 4-H clubs, churches, 
caretakers, and concerned citizens. Dr. Betz is on the staff of North- 
eastern Illinois University, Chicago. His award and citation were 
presented during the Society’s annual meeting in May in Galesburg. 
‘ANNUAL BOOK AWARD’ 
The Dr. Alfred Lewy Memorial Book Award to: 
THORN CREEK WOODS 
PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION 
. for its long, difficult battle to save—successfully—the 800 
acres of Thorn Creek Woods from development. 
At stake in this natural, wild beauty of south suburban 
Chicagoland were many trees 100 to 200 years old, notably bur 
oaks, northern red oaks, sugar maples, elm, and linden—along with 
rolling and streamside terrain, native Raldfowers, and a range of 
wildlife and birdlife. 
High praise was paid to the Thorn Creek Woods Association, 
and ae president, Charles Klaas, for winning against mounting 
odds and great obstacles. 
The award of 12 nature volumes to the organization was made 
at the final Audubon Wildlife Film presentation at the Field Mu- 
seum in April. 
