To avoid double counting acres where multiple programs contributed to the acquisition of a single parcel, the parcel acreage is only aggregated under the program that provided the majority of funding. For example, if the chart displays a dollar amount greater than $0, but also shows 0 acres, it is because the program was not the primary contributor for any parcels in that year.
Local Conservation Programs Include:
DeKalb County Forest Preserve District
DuPage County Forest Preserve District
Forest Preserve District of Kane County
Kendall County Forest Preserve District
Lake County Forest Preserve District
McHenry County Conservation District
Will County Forest Preserve District
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1,506.0 | $31,796,418 |
| 1999 | 2,514.5 | $23,264,669 |
| 2000 | 6,663.7 | $128,262,475 |
| 2001 | 6,263.7 | $84,115,819 |
| 2002 | 6,731.3 | $79,495,797 |
| 2003 | 5,718.5 | $90,739,530 |
| 2004 | 3,078.2 | $39,994,899 |
| 2005 | 1,240.0 | $21,084,297 |
| 2006 | 5,197.2 | $118,073,312 |
| 2007 | 3,252.9 | $128,407,512 |
| 2008 | 4,141.4 | $133,389,995 |
| Totals | 46,307.4 | $878,624,728 |
Begun in 1986, Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) focuses on providing basic, local outdoor recreation opportunities, including land for parks and facilities such as ball fields and playgrounds. The program matches funds provided by park districts, municipalities, forest preserve districts and other local government entities, providing up to 50 percent of the funding. Grant awards up to $750,000 are available for acquisition projects (grant award maximum in Chicago is $1.15 million), while development/renovation projects are limited to a $400,000 grant maximum. Funding is provided through the state real estate transfer tax.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 308.9 | $3,750,600 |
| 1999 | 179.1 | $4,667,200 |
| 2000 | 392.9 | $5,136,300 |
| 2001 | 40.4 | $5,571,100 |
| 2002 | 11.3 | $1,570,450 |
| 2003 | 334.0 | $816,300 |
| 2004 | 57.0 | $4,181,300 |
| 2005 | 0.0 | $2,205,500 |
| 2006 | 771.4 | $9,308,400 |
| 2007 | 360.8 | $9,394,466 |
| 2008 | 57.3 | $5,091,050 |
| Total | 2,513.0 | $51,692,666 |
The Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF) was created by the General Assembly in 1989 for “the acquisition, preservation and stewardship of natural areas, including habitat for endangered and threatened species, high quality natural communities, wetlands and other areas with unique or unusual natural heritage qualities.” NAAF also includes a stewardship component: 10 percent of the land acquisition fund is set aside each year to pay for stewardship projects on natural areas and nature preserves, including exotic species removal, prescribed burning in the prairies and hydrologic restoration in wetlands and streams. Funding is provided through the state real estate transfer tax. In FY07, there was $6m in new capital funds allotted – which were largely used to support land acquisition. This dropped to $4.5m in FY09 and $1m in FY10, with NAAF funds increasingly being relied upon to support staffing at the expense of land conservation, due to cuts in the general fund support for IDNR staff that work on programs like NAAF.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 257.2 | $743,038 |
| 1999 | 1,386.8 | $4,418,801 |
| 2000 | 485.8 | $1,195,308 |
| 2001 | 3,262.6 | $4,839,457 |
| 2002 | 4,284.3 | $6,030,288 |
| 2003 | 1,266.0 | $2,878,844 |
| 2004 | 548.0 | $937,188 |
| 2005 | 976.4 | $2,199,107 |
| 2006 | 3,306.1 | $13,560,981 |
| 2007 | 692.6 | $3,315,803 |
| 2008 | 496.8 | $5,275,699 |
| Total | 16,962.5 | $45,394,517 |
In 1995, the state legislature passed Conservation 2000 (C2000), a program designed to promote ecosystem-based management of privately held land in a public-private partnership. The C2000 Program funds nine programs across three state agencies. C2000 devotes most of its funding to planning and management activities, but a portion of its funds go towards land acquisition. C2000 also invests in conservation easements and other mechanisms to help privately held land become high quality habitat. The C2000 program sponsors 41 Ecosystem Partnerships—coalitions of local stakeholders such as private landowners, businesses, scientists, environmental organizations, recreational enthusiasts and policy makers—covering 85 percent of Illinois.*
C2000 was originally a six-year, $100 million program, but in 2008, House Bill 1780 was signed into law as Public Act 95-0139, extending the program to 2021 as Partners for Conservation.
This program is no longer funded and is pretty much defunct although the partnerships still exist. Funding to this program from the C2000 Fund (which originates in the state’s General Revenues) has been reduced over time, and the bond fund appropriation for grants made in earlier years has been removed and grants are no longer being made although the partnerships still exist. In order to leverage the remaining funds, staff assignments have been broadened and combined with other Private Lands programs within IDNR.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 217.4 | $503,120 |
| 2000 | 940.4 | $1,190,600 |
| 2001 | 343.7 | $671,985 |
| 2002 | 1,246.6 | $767,741 |
| 2003 | 852.7 | $1,883,514 |
| 2004 | 603.9 | $1,122,180 |
| 2005 | 604.9 | $914,206 |
| 2006 | 245.7 | $244,558 |
| 2007 | 74.9 | $496,000 |
| 2008 | 178.5 | $448,348 |
| Total | 5,308.5 | $8,242,253 |
The Open Land Trust Act (OLT) was established in 1999 solely to acquire natural lands and expand public open space throughout the state. Funded for four years, OLT had two major components: state purchase of land through Illinois Department of Natural Resources and grants of up to 50 percent of total project cost to local partners.
Over its four years, OLT had $200 million in funding (initially the trust was budgeted for $40 million annually, but in FY2002, the General Assembly doubled the annual commitment).** In its first year, OLT provided about $17 million to purchase nearly 1,600 acres across the state, with about half of the funding going to the grant program. In total, OLT provided $63.6 million to local agencies for the acquisition of approximately 8,735 acres around the state.***
*http://www.dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/2005update/index.htm. Page 1.
**Public Attitudes About Open Space: The Unmet Demand for Open Space in Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. May, 2003. Page 2.
***Illinois Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2003 -2008. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. April, 2004. Page 53.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 131.5 | $60,006 |
| 1999 | 1,662.0 | $7,000,000 |
| 2000 | 7,504.6 | $21,721,455 |
| 2001 | 18,112.0 | $39,295,596 |
| 2002 | 6,841.3 | $33,145,425 |
| 2003 | 7,766.1 | $34,497,941 |
| 2004 | 179.1 | $70,689 |
| 2005 | 169.4 | $1,426,435 |
| 2006 | 319.0 | $1,288,500 |
| Total | 42,685.0 | $138,506,048 |