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<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000">Hello
all,</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000">I'm forwarding a
letter from the President of the IL Native Plant Society concerning a
troubling budget proposal from the Governor of Illinois. I know
this is not uncommon, but the folks in Illinois could use any and all
support.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000">Jason</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><br></font></div>
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<blockquote type="cite" cite><br></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Dear colleagues and fellow
conservationists,<br>
<br>
As many of you may have already heard, Governor Rod
Blagojevich has proposed in next year's state budget to divert revenue
from the Real Estate Transfer Tax, directed by statute to fund the
Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF) and the Open Space Lands
Acquisition and Development Fund (OSLAD), to the General Revenue
Fund. He has also proposed to eliminate nearly 200 positions
within the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. As a
result, ALL OF THE NATURAL HERITAGE AND NATURE PRESERVES COMMISSION
POSITIONS WILL BE ELIMINATED, PERMANENTLY!<br>
<br>
The ramifications to Illinois' significant natural
resources will be profound, widespread, and long lasting.
Decades of vigilant efforts to protect, safeguard, and manage our
natural areas and endangered species will be in jeopardy.
Illinois, long a model for the national and international conservation
communities, will no longer be a leader in the conservation movement.
Illinois citizens, who repeatedly identify the protection of Illinois
open space, wildlife, and natural areas as a very high priority and
key component of their quality of life, will also be negatively
affected. The care and management of our State Parks,
identified as a priority by Governor Blagojevich in his budget
address, will actually be weakened by these cuts. And the loss
of these programs and their associated funds will also result in the
loss of millions of additional conservation dollars that are brought
into Illinois by Natural Heritage and Nature Preserves Commission
staff through various grants.<br>
<br>
The proposed cuts at issue go beyond the loss of
the NAAF and OSLAD funding alone. Even if funding for these
important programs is maintained, NATURAL HERITAGE AND ILLINOIS NATURE
PRESERVES COMMISSION STAFF POSITIONS are still proposed to be
ELIMINATED. Also at stake are other Office of Resource
Conservation positions such as our Foresters, Fisheries, and Wildlife
Biologists. We will be losing FRONT-LINE biologists - public
service providers - not middle managers as stated in the budget
address. We will need all constituents for all conservation
interests across Illinois to speak with a unified voice to OPPOSE
THESE CUTS, as the protection and management of our state's natural
resources is at stake.<br>
<br>
Please, pass the word and TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS
that Illinois can't afford to sacrifice the funding or the staff
that protects and manages our remaining natural areas and
imperiled species. We will need to be more vocal than ever
before if we want to have our voices heard over the din of opposition
to other parts of the proposed budget. A fact sheet detailing
ramifications to our natural heritage from the proposed budget was
developed by The Nature Conservancy, and is attached for your
information. Contact information for your legislator can be
found at the addresses below:<br>
<br>
<a
href="http://www.legis.state.il.us/house/"
>http://www.legis.state.il.us/house/</a><br>
<br>
<a
href="http://www.legis.state.il.us/senate/"
>http://www.legis.state.il.us/senate/</a><br>
<br>
find legislator by address:<br>
<a
href="http://www.elections.state.il.us/dls/pages/DLSAddresscrit.asp"
>http://www.elections.state.il.us/dls/pages/DLSAddresscrit.asp</a><br>
<br>
<br>
Two years ago, the Illinois conservation community
successfully stood up and voiced its opposition to significant cuts by
the Ryan Administration to the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund, and the
cuts were subsequently repealed by the state legislature. The
conservation crisis today is unparalleled. Our efforts must be
equal to the challenge. Thank you.</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
Todd Bittner<br>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>"In the end, our society will be
defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to
destroy." - John Sawhill</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><br></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><br>
<br>
</blockquote>
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