The Drive to Procure...

Illinois is a state that has 34 million acres of land, 14 major rivers, borders on Lake Michigan, and has a population of 11.2 million citizens. With all of these resources, Illinois has become a major agricultural and industrial center for the nation. As technology and education has helped to improve the standard of living for Illinois citizens, an increased need and desire for recreation has emerged.

In the early 1960's, the State of Illinois realized that it was providing a very limited recreational opportunity for its people. A study was made, using a national average of 40 acres of parks and forests per 1,000 citizens, which revealed that Illinois ranked 48th among the 50 states for having adequate state-owned recreation lands. At that time, Illinois had a population in excess of 10 million people, which indicated a need for the State to provide 400,000 acres of parks, forests and nature preserves.

In 1961, the State of Illinois owned, or leased, only 141,419 acres. Between 1961 and 1969, the State increased its total acreage only 63,179 acres, to 204,598 acres, and the majority of this increase was in leased properties. In 1961, the State of Illinois leased 39,082 acres from governmental agencies, private corporations and private citizens. This figure was increased to 74,293 acres in 1969, or an increase of 35,211 acres of the total increase of 63,179 acres.

In order to provide for the needs of the people, the Illinois Department of Conservation increased its efforts to receive legislative funding for land acquisition. Between 1969 and 1976, the legislature appropriated sufficient funds to enable the Department to increase its acreage of state-owned lands from 130,305 acres to 195,606 acres. During the same period of time, the leased acreage increased 24,056 acres, for a total acreage of 293,955 acres in 1976.

Funding for land purchases remained strong until FY-77. The Department of Conservation received no new funds for its land acquisition program in FY-77, and has received relatively small appropriations for land purchases in the succeeding years. These appropriations were less than half the appropriations received during the early 1970's. Nevertheless, the Department has continued its land acquisition program and has added to the acreage of state-owned lands an additional 2,648 acres during 1977 and 1978.

The Department has realized that it must make the best use of all means available to increase recreational lands in the State of Illinois. With limited funding available to purchase additional lands, a greater impetus has been placed on obtaining more leased land. During 1978, a lease was signed with a utility company which provided an additional 10,208 acres for recreation. Discussions are underway with other major utility and coal producing companies for possible lease agreements.

Land donations by private citizens is another area being explored by the Department in order to increase its recreational facilities. During FY-79, private citizens donated nearly 400 acres to the Department. These generous gifts have enabled the Department to provide recreational opportunities in areas that otherwise may have been overlooked.

Private not-for-profit organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, Open Land Project, and Natural Land Institute, have been of tremendous help to the Department in accomplishing its goals. The flexibility and resources that these organizations possess have made it possible to act when lack of funding and/or time required for processing by the Department would have prevented the purchase of important and endangered natural areas. By cooperating with each other, the State and these private organizations have been able to fulfill their common objectives.

The Department of Conservation has come a long way since 1961 in their land acquisition program. Recreational lands owned and/or leased by the Department have more than doubled. It is estimated that the total acreage by the end of 1979 will be 314,555, an increase of over 120 percent. However, if the objective of 40 acres per 1,000 population is to be met, the Department must must continue to work to acquire an additional 128,000 acres. With the commitment of the citizens of Illinois behind this endeavor, the 1980's will see Illinois providing some of the best recreational opportunities of any state in the nation.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION LAND & WATER ACREAGE SUMMARY
	6-30-69	6-30-70	6-30-71	6-30-76	6-30-78
Department Owned Acreage	130,305	150,756	169,486	195,606	198,254
Leased and Operated Acreage	74,293	74,379	74,295	98,349	108,068
Total Acreage	204,598	225,137	243,781	293,955	306,322
% Increase (over 1961)	44.7	59.2	72.4	107.9	116.6

Mr. Robert Corrigan is Chief of the Division of Land Acquisition in the Illinois Department of Conservation. His duties include overseeing the acquisition of all land to be utilized by the Department of Conservation in the state of Illinois for parks and recreation. His professional involvement includes serving as President and senior member of the Illinois Rightaway Association.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 22 November/December, 1979