Governor Quinn Announces $2.2 Million Investment for Conservation Land Acquisition

URBANA – Governor Pat Quinn today announced investments totaling more than $2.2 million to acquire land for conservation and recreational purposes across Illinois. The investments include $209,000 to acquire a key piece of land for the Kickapoo Trail, a 24.5-mile bicycle path linking Urbana to Kickapoo State Park. Today’s announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to conserve the state’s natural areas and increase opportunities for people to enjoy the Illinois outdoors.

“The Kickapoo Trail is an outstanding example of local communities and non-profit groups working side-by-side with state and federal government to get important projects off the drawing board and into development,” Governor Quinn said. “This trail has been years in the making and it took everyone pulling together to get us to this point. The state of Illinois is full of natural treasures and today’s investments will ensure that these lands are enjoyed for generations to come. ”

The $2.2 million comes from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Open Lands Trust (OLT), a dedicated fund used to acquire important natural and recreational areas for public use. Funds are appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly. OLT Funds also can be used to help communities leverage additional funds to protect land for conservation and recreation.

“These funds – which include federal dollars I secured in past transportation and appropriations bills – bring the Kickapoo bike trail one step closer to reality,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said. “When it opens, this project will give Illinoisans from Urbana to Danville an opportunity to walk, jog and bike close to home and enjoy the outdoor spaces in their own backyard.”

“The Open Lands Trust Fund is an important tool that allows DNR to step in to help match federal dollars,” IDNR Director Marc Miller said. “Without it, state and local governments would have a harder time capturing available federal dollars to complete projects like this one.”

Today’s announcements include a $209,000 investment to purchase a section of the right-of-way for the Kickapoo Trail. The purchase was recently finalized and consists of 19.3 acres of the former CSX Railroad right-of-way within the current boundaries of Kickapoo State Park. This purchase, which has been in negotiations for more than a year, allowed Kickapoo Trail developers to secure an additional $2.1 million in federal Transportation Enhancement Funds last year.

During the past year, Open Lands Trust Funds have been used to make other key acquisitions statewide. These include:

Jubilee College State Park
Peoria County
126.26 acres
$760,000

The property consists of 126.26 acres adjacent to Jubilee College State Park in Peoria County. This property is an excellent addition to the park due to its diverse habitat, potential for restoration and location to serve as a buffer for the park. This parcel was protected from future housing developments.

Big Bend State Fish & Wildlife Area
Whiteside County
274.26 acres
$550,000

The property consists of 274.26 acres and became an addition to Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area in Whiteside County. It is located east of Erie and west of Portland with the Rock River defining its northern boundary. The parcel is a three-sided in-holding that fits nicely with the existing site and serves migrating waterfowl and supports bottomland forest communities.

The property is enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program. IDNR’s Division of Wildlife has worked with Whiteside County to protect the wetland since the program’s inception. Acquisition of this parcel will offer additional hunting opportunities at the site.

Cretaceous Hills State Natural Area
Pope County
263.32 acres
$737,296

The property consists of 263.32 acres and became a part of Cretaceous Hills State Natural Area in Pope County. Cretaceous Hills State Natural Area is one of the best examples of a barrens natural community in Illinois, a mixed community of grass and stunted trees growing in thin soils. Prior to this acquisition, IDNR owned 237 acres here, all of it dedicated nature preserve. The preserve provides habitat for 17 endangered plant and animal species.

The property has good access with a gravel road on the east side and offers recreational opportunities including wildlife observation, hunting and hiking. The property will likely support deer and turkey hunting. Development of a small parking lot to support public hunting could be established on the east boundary.