SR0788 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0788 LRB104 21547 MST 36953 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the dedication of Beall Woods Nature Preserve; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act created a system for preserving and protecting areas of the State as a part of the heritage of the people of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Illinois Nature Preserves are of value for scientific research, for teaching, as reservoirs of natural materials not all of the potential uses of which are now known, as habitats for rare and vanishing species, as places of historic and natural interest and scenic beauty, and as living museums of the native landscape wherein one may envision and experience primeval conditions in a wilderness-like environment; and

WHEREAS, Illinois Nature Preserves contribute generally to the public health and welfare and the environmental quality of the State; and

WHEREAS, Beall Woods Nature Preserve, located in Wabash County, was officially established in 1966 to protect and conserve its bottomland and upland old-growth hardwood forests and riverine communities along the Wabash River; and

WHEREAS, Beall Woods Nature Preserve is recognized for its towering trees reaching 120 feet tall and more than 3 feet in diameter, as well as its designation as a National Natural Landmark, often referred to as the "Forest of the Wabash", reflecting its status as one of the last remaining old-growth forests in Illinois, making it an important natural area within southeastern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Beall Woods Nature Preserve provides critical habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species, including several Illinois state champion trees such as the sugarberry, mockernut hickory, pecan, and black gum, and wildlife such as the pileated woodpecker and the state-endangered northern madtom; and

WHEREAS, Beall Woods Nature Preserve offers opportunities for hiking, nature observation, birdwatching, and environmental education, allowing residents and visitors to experience one of Illinois' last remaining old-growth forests and its rich biodiversity firsthand; and

WHEREAS, The stewardship of Beall Woods Nature Preserve has been supported by dedicated local partners, community members, and conservation advocates, with additional support from organizations such as the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 60 years, Beall Woods Nature Preserve has contributed to the protection of Illinois' natural heritage and serves as a valuable natural resource for the residents of Wabash County; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on the 60th anniversary of the dedication of Beall Woods Nature Preserve and commend its ongoing commitment to conservation, education, and stewardship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a symbol of our respect and esteem.