Illinois Natural History Survey

Illinois Natural History Survey. Established in 1858, it is one of the oldest and most comprehensive natural history surveys in the United States. Originally founded as the Natural History Society of Illinois, its mission has centered on the investigation and documentation of the state's biological resources. Today, it operates as a division within the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, providing critical scientific data to inform conservation, policy, and public understanding of Illinois's ecosystems.

History

The organization was founded in 1858 by a group of naturalists, including Robert Kennicott, who became its first curator. Its early work focused on the biological exploration of Illinois, with significant contributions made during the era of the Hatch Act of 1887, which bolstered agricultural science. In 1917, it was formally established as a state scientific survey under the Illinois General Assembly. A major transition occurred in 2008 when it merged with other state surveys to form the Prairie Research Institute, integrating its work with the Illinois State Geological Survey, the Illinois State Water Survey, and the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. Key figures in its development have included Stephen A. Forbes, a pioneering ecologist who served as its director for over four decades and advanced the study of food webs in aquatic systems like the Illinois River.

Research and Collections

The scientific research encompasses broad disciplines including entomology, ichthyology, ornithology, botany, and ecology. Its extensive collections are a cornerstone of its work, housing over 10 million specimens, such as the renowned Insect Collection and significant holdings of fossils from the Mazon Creek area. Research programs address pressing environmental issues, including invasive species like the Asian carp and emerald ash borer, wetland restoration, climate change impacts, and biodiversity monitoring. Scientists collaborate with agencies like the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on projects ranging from endangered species recovery to the management of Tallgrass prairie remnants.

Facilities and Locations

The administrative headquarters and primary research laboratories are located on the campus of the University of Illinois Urb-Champaign within the Prairie Research Institute. It maintains several field stations across the state that serve as hubs for long-term ecological research, including the Forbes Biological Station on the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, which focuses on waterfowl and wetland science. Other key facilities include the Illinois River Biological Station in Havana, Illinois, and the Cache River Wetlands Station, supporting work in the Cache River State Natural Area. These locations provide vital infrastructure for fieldwork in diverse habitats, from the Shawnee National Forest to the Great Lakes region.

Publications and Outreach

The organization disseminates its findings through authoritative publications such as the long-running journal Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin and the comprehensive series Illinois Natural History Survey Manuals. It produces technical reports for state agencies and contributes data to national databases like the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Public outreach and education are integral, achieved through partnerships with the Illinois Department of Transportation on wildlife crossing projects, teacher workshops, and citizen science programs like the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network. Staff regularly advise the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board and contribute to exhibits at institutions like the Field Museum of Natural History.

Impact and Significance

Its impact on science and conservation is profound, having built the foundational knowledge of Illinois's flora and fauna for over 160 years. Research has directly influenced state environmental policy, the creation of natural areas, and the management of resources within the Upper Mississippi River system. The survey's specimen collections provide an irreplaceable record of ecological change, crucial for studies on habitat loss and pollution. By training generations of scientists and providing objective data to entities from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to local land trusts, it remains an indispensable institution for stewardship of the Midwestern United States' natural heritage.

Category:Natural history surveys in the United States Category:Organizations based in Illinois Category:University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign