Protection for Illinois’ highest populations of nesting state-endangered Blanding’s turtles.

Illinois Audubon Executive Director Tom Clay praised Chicago-based Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and Grand Victoria Foundation for their financial support of Amboy Marsh. “Like never before, and primarily due to these conservation-minded Foundations, Illinois land trusts are protecting some of our most vital lands,” Clay said. “These Foundations and our members are preserving land for public use and benefit now and for generations to come.”

Debra Carey, Chair of the Natural Area Guardian Committee of Lee County Soil & Water Conservation District, said “We have worked with the site owners, and neighboring land owners, since 1986, carrying out Blanding’s turtle research. We could not be happier about Illinois Audubon’s permanent protection of this site and we look forward to a long-term partnership with the Society to steward and study this rare and remarkable land.” Besides helping to cover the land cost, Grand Victoria and Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundations each granted dollars for near-term restoration as well and Grand Victoria’s grant also includes support for long-term site stewardship. Illinois Audubon will immediately assemble an Amboy Marsh management team consisting of local, regional and statewide natural resource professionals. “Our goal is to have the site open for public day use by next summer,” Clay said. “We also look forward to Amboy Marsh becoming a scientific research and environmental education resource for the community and the region.”

Besides helping to cover the land cost, Grand Victoria and Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundations each granted dollars for near-term restoration as well and Grand Victoria’s grant also includes support for long-term site stewardship. Illinois Audubon will immediately assemble an Amboy Marsh management team consisting of local, regional and statewide natural resource professionals. “Our goal is to have the site open for public day use by next summer,” Clay said. “We also look forward to Amboy Marsh becoming a scientific research and environmental education resource for the community and the region.”

“When you consider the turtle’s natural reproductive challenges and compound that with massive habitat loss, there is little wonder why Blanding’s turtles are Illinois-endangered and nationally classified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.” Anne Mankowski, Director Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board