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Help protect our vanishing natural areas

We’re advocating for full funding for two long-neglected state programs that provide habitat for endangered species, preserve wetlands, and create parks and playgrounds.

You can help by writing telling your legislators you value Illinois's open spaces and urging them fully fund these two programs.

Follow these 3 easy steps to help out.

1. Look over the message, and feel free to add your own comments. Using your own words makes the message more meaningful.

2. Sign the letter by filling in the form. We will not share your information with anyone else.

3. Click the button to send your message.

Letter	Dear Legislator, Open lands are crucial for clean water, species diversity, recreation, hunting, and healthy lifestyles, but Illinois has consistently neglected them: Illinois ranks in the bottom third among all states in open lands spending, and last among Midwest states. Our stateâ€™s history of neglect of open spaces has had real impact: Weâ€™ve lost more than 90 percent of Illinoisâ€™s wetlands and 99.99 percent of its original prairie. Nearly 450 threatened and endangered species live within state boundaries. Since June 1st, the Legislature has been working overtime to resolve the state budget, but the proposal currently on the table would once again divert funds away from two important the conservation programs: OSLAD, which provides matching funds to local governments for parks, playgrounds and recreation areas; and NAAF, which protects wetlands, habitat for endangered species, and other vulnerable areas of ecological importance With real estate prices skyrocketing across Illinois, we need to act now to conserve open spaces before itâ€™s too late. With reliable funding, Illinois can build parks and acquire ecologically sensitive lands before the cost becomes prohibitive or they disappear. I value open spaces in Illinois. I urge you to insist that the state budget include full funding for OSLAD and NAAF. Sincerely,
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