The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently announced nearly $1 million in grants being awarded to stewardship programs managed by land trusts across the state. The grants, awarded through the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant program, will help fund various stewardship activities in areas protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
I am very excited to see that the list of grants awarded includes nearly $100,000 in funding for Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves in Will and Grundy counties. These funds will help nature preserves, including Pilcher Park Nature Preserve here in the 37th District, hire additional staff and purchase new equipment to restore their grounds through prescribed fire implementation and invasive species removal. These are crucial stewardship activities when it comes to protecting the ecological health of natural areas throughout our district and I am proud that our community is taking part in such conservation efforts. A huge thank you to the Department of Natural Resources for your continued support of local conservation efforts and for your commitment to protecting Illinois!
To learn more about the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant program, visit: https://dnr.illinois.gov/grants/stewardshipgrants.html