Illinois Natural Areas Inventory

Illinois Natural Areas Inventory
Name	Illinois Natural Areas Inventory
Formation	1970s
Headquarters	Springfield, Illinois
Region served	Illinois

Illinois Natural Areas Inventory

The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory is a statewide survey and database documenting ecology and biodiversity of Illinois to guide conservation and land management. It was initiated through collaborations among academic institutions, non‑profit organizations, and state agencies to identify remnants of native prairie, wetland, forest, and other habitats. The Inventory has informed decisions by entities including the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, and universities such as the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign.

History and Development

The Inventory began in the 1970s following national trends established by organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and influenced by legislation and societal shifts after events like the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act and the rise of environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and Audubon Society of Illinois. Early collaborators included researchers from Southern Illinois University, staff from the Illinois Natural History Survey, and conservationists connected to regional chapters of The Nature Conservancy and the Illinois Audubon Society. Funding and technical support came from sources such as state appropriations tied to the Illinois Department of Conservation and foundation grants from entities like the MacArthur Foundation. Over successive decades the Inventory was refined alongside mapping and classification efforts at institutions such as the United States Geological Survey and integrated concepts from the NatureServe network.

Purpose and Criteria

The Inventory’s stated purpose aligns with objectives advocated by organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, NatureServe, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Criteria for inclusion draw on standards developed by the Illinois Natural History Survey and peer institutions like the Chicago Botanic Garden and reference classification schemes used by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. Site significance is assessed using metrics paralleling systems applied by the National Park Service and state historic preservation frameworks, emphasizing rarity, representativeness, and ecological integrity. The Inventory evaluates habitats such as tallgrass prairie, oak savanna, glade, dolomite prairie, and diverse wetland types recognized by researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Inventory Methods and Data Management

Field protocols were adapted from methodologies promoted by the Biological Survey communities and refined through collaborations with the Illinois Natural History Survey and mapping experts at the United States Geological Survey. Surveys combine floristic inventories influenced by work at the Chicago Botanic Garden with faunal assessments using approaches from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Spatial data management utilizes Geographic Information System standards advocated by the Federal Geographic Data Committee and software platforms pioneered by companies such as Esri. Data stewardship and species rarity ranks incorporate frameworks developed by NatureServe and the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board.

Notable Natural Areas

The Inventory documents high‑quality remnants across the state, including prairie and savanna tracts near Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Nachusa Grasslands, and preserves managed by The Nature Conservancy. It highlights wetlands in regions such as the Cache River State Natural Area and forested sites in the Shawnee National Forest. Other recognized locations include remnants near Matthiessen State Park, Starved Rock State Park, and preserves associated with institutions like the Chicago Botanic Garden and Morton Arboretum.

Conservation and Management Practices

Management approaches promoted by the Inventory reflect established practices at entities such as The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and land trusts like the Openlands organization. Techniques include prescribed burning modeled on research from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign and Southern Illinois University, invasive species control strategies employed by the Illinois Invasive Species Council, and habitat restoration methods practiced at sites like Nachusa Grasslands. Adaptive management draws on monitoring protocols used by the Illinois Natural History Survey and data feedback mechanisms aligned with the Federal Geographic Data Committee standards.

Legal and Policy Framework

The Inventory operates within a mosaic of statutes and policies including state actions by the Illinois General Assembly and regulatory programs administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It has informed listings and decisions by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board and has been used in planning processes tied to the National Environmental Policy Act for federal undertakings. Partnerships with municipal governments and land trusts link the Inventory to local ordinances and conservation easement practices promoted by organizations such as the Land Trust Alliance.

Impact and Outcomes

Outcomes attributed to the Inventory include prioritization of conservation acquisitions by The Nature Conservancy, designation of public preserves managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and targeted restoration projects at sites like Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and Nachusa Grasslands. The Inventory has supported scientific publications from institutions such as the University of Illinois, influenced grantmaking by foundations like the MacArthur Foundation, and strengthened collaborations among agencies including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Its datasets contribute to regional planning by metropolitan agencies and non‑profits such as Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and have informed educational programming at organizations like the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Category:Protected areas of Illinois Category:Environmental organizations based in Illinois