December 10, 2021 – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced eight grants totaling $456,000 to land trusts in Illinois to support stewardship on land protected by Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) programs. The grants are the first awards from the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program.
Eligible applicants under the grant program are Conservation Land Trusts exempt from taxation under Section 501 (c) (3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and whose originating documents include in their purposes the restoration and stewardship of land for conservation purposes.
The goal of the grant program is to increase the delivery of much-needed stewardship activities to natural areas permanently protected within the INPC system. Stewardship needs on natural areas throughout the state have continued to outpace the ability to deliver these services by individuals, volunteers, organizations, and government agencies. This grant program is designed to fund projects that increase the stewardship capacity of Conservation Land Trusts by providing staff and equipment for these activities.
