Increase funding for open space

After the long winter, we are all eager to get outside during these warm days. Joggers and walkers hit the paths along the lakefront. Fishermen ready their tackle boxes. And where is that bike helmet?

But by Memorial Day, walkers and bicyclists are competing for space on crowded trails.

Baseball diamonds become prized real estate. We can see there is much work to be done throughout Illinois to conserve and protect our parks and natural areas.

Partners for Parks and Wildlife (PPW) is a statewide coalition of 125 organizations that works to increase funding for open space and park acquisition, natural area preservation, wildlife habitat protection and recreational opportunities in Illinois (partnersforparksandwildlife.org).

PPW is calling for the Inclusion of the Illinois Special Places Acquisition, Conservation, and Enhancement Program (iSPACE) in any capital budget approved by the General Assembly.

iSPACE would invest in Illinois' future by providing funding to conservation programs aimed at protecting Illinois' most precious natural resources and acquiring land to provide recreational opportunities.

Join us as a Partner for Parks and Wildlife and contact your state legislators to ask them to push for the inclusion of iSPACE in any new capital spending plan.

A recent report shows that Illinois ranks dead last in the Midwest and in the bottom five nationally for percentage of recreation and conservation lands per capita.

In addition, Illinois ranks in the bottom third among all states in open lands spending and last among Midwest states.

If we don't increase funding for open space conservation soon, we may never have the opportunity again.

Partners for Parks and Wildlife Steering Committee

Peter Murphy

Illinois Association of Park Districts

Jonathon Goldman

Illinois Environmental Council

Lenore Beyer-Clow Openlands

Jack Darin

Sierra Club

Susan Donovan

The Nature Conservancy

Beth White

The Trust for Public Land