Prairie Chicken Foundation of Illinois

J. W. Galbreath, Chairman of the Prairie Chicken Foundation of Illinois, recently sent the following letter to the Illinois Association of Park Districts in Springfield:

"Dear Friend:

"One of the most pressing problems facing mankind today is the decline in the quality of our natural enviroment accompanied by our lack of the essential ecological conscience to stem the continual degradation of our surroundings.

"Rachel Carson stated that "in all biological history, no organism has survived long if its environment became in some way unfit for it—man has deliberately polluted his own environment" and the future of mankind is being threatened. The remarkable behavior of our native prairie chicken in Illinois may well provide exhibit A as the best indicator of man's future survival on this planet.

"When all wildlife is gone, man may not last much longer.

"Those who are truly concerned, have put their protest into action. Your donations have made it possible to set aside essential nesting and brood rearing cover to save a colorful species from becoming extinct. Over two-thirds of the remanant flocks of prairie chicken left in Illinois are on the Bogota Sanctuaries. 1968 and 1969 populations have given abundant evidence that our provision of the required essentials for survival is getting results.

"We are grateful to all of you dedicated conservationists who have made our dream a reality. However the job is not complete. We have 297 acres, we need 500 as a minimum. We have received donations of $68,000.00, but still have an indebtedness of over $30,000.00 on 120 acres of land that we purchased in 1964 and 1967. Fixed payments plus interest amount to around $10,000.00 per year.

"Operating expenses run less than 5% of contributions. No salaries are paid. The Board, at the last meeting, voted to present an Honorary Award Certificate to all large donors. Perhaps you would like to add your name to this list.

"Won't you help us to continue the job?

"Please mail your generous contribution to the treasurer today."

Sincerely,

J. W. Galbreath (Signature)

Some of the oustanding individuals on the Honorary Advisory Board are:

Dr. Preston Bradley, Chicago; Peter Edge, Hawk Mt. Sanctuary Assn., Chicago; G. Mitchell Flieg, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago; Senator Harris W. Fawell, Naperville; Tom McNally, Chicago Tribune; Rep. Robert Mann, Chicago; Cong. Abner Mikva, Chicago; Dr. Russell Mixter, Wheaton Colleg; William L. Rutherford, Springfield; Canon Don Shaw, Chicago; A. E. Staley, Jr. Decatur; Dr. George Woodruff, Joliet; and Dr. Ralph Yeatter, Urbana.

Some of the sponsoring organizations are the Illinois Audubon Society, Wierra Club Great Lakes Chapter, Illinois Chapter Nature Conservancy, Illinois Division Izaak Walton League, Illinois Wildlife Federation and the Field Trail Clubs of Illinois.

If you would like more information regarding the Prairie Chicken Foundation of Illinois, Contact Chairman J. W. Galbreath, 14 Bonanza Drive, Centralia, Illinois 62801.

Illinois Parks 69 March/ April 1970