Prairie State Conservation Coalition Will Use Funds To Expand
and Protect Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat Throughout
Illinois
CHICAGO, July 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As people across Illinois enjoy the outdoors and the state's
natural areas, World Nature Conservation Day (July 28), #WorldConservationDay, is an ideal time
to celebrate a grant that will transform land conservation in
Illinois. Prairie State
Conservation Coalition (PSCC), a not-for-profit association
that supports land conservation organizations in Illinois, will be the recipient of a
$42 million grant from the Illinois
Clean Energy Community Foundation in 2024. The grant will be used
throughout Illinois for:
- Land acquisition
- Land stewardship
- Organization capacity building
PSCC members protect, restore and steward the diverse landscapes
that characterize Illinois –
including its magnificent Mississippi River bluffs, wide vistas of
mid-state prairie and farmland, dense forests and dramatic
lakefront. Members include more than 40 conservation organizations
across the state that do vital work to protect these lands and
wildlife habitats.
Grant funds will also be used to help grow Illinois non-profit land conservation
organizations led by Black, Indigenous, People of Color
(BIPOC). PSCC efforts will include:
- Supporting BIPOC-led land conservation organizations,
enhancing their awareness of grant opportunities and helping them
acquire land
- Helping land conservation organizations diversify their boards,
staff and programming
"Land conservation is essential to the well-being of people and
our planet. As we celebrate World Nature Conservation Day, Prairie
State Conservation Coalition is excited to continue the work of the
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation in preserving, enhancing
and expanding natural areas and wildlife habitats in Illinois," said PSCC Executive Director
Cynthia Kanner.
"This grant will enable Prairie State Conservation Coalition to
be an even more effective voice for land conservation
in Illinois and elevate the collective power of land
conservation groups in our state," said PSCC Board President
Brook McDonald, President/CEO, The
Conservation Foundation.
This new grant is a transformational opportunity to enhance the
quality of life in Illinois
communities through land conservation for many years to come.
About Prairie State Conservation Coalition
Prairie
State Conservation Coalition (PSCC) provides a statewide network of
collaborative peer support and ongoing skill development for land
conservation organizations in Illinois. PSCC provides such
organizations with networking opportunities and training and helps
promote the value of land conservation
to Illinois communities.
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SOURCE Prairie State Conservation Coalition