Bison at Nachusa Grasslands with INPC Sign

The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) is a state organization, established by the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act, to identify, protect, steward, and defend high quality natural areas in the state of

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

. Its mission is:

to assist private and public landowners in protecting high quality natural areas and habitats of endangered and threatened species; in perpetuity, through voluntary dedication or registration of such lands into the Illinois Nature Preserves System. The Commission promotes the preservation of these significant lands and provides leadership in their stewardship, management and protection.

Eligible land, public or private, may be dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve or a Land and Water Reserve. The INPC comprises a volunteer board of commissioners that works with staff, landowners, and other stakeholders. Funding for INPC staff comes from the

Illinois Department of Natural Resources The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is the code department of the Illinois state government that operates the state parks and state recreation areas, enforces the fishing and game laws of Illinois, regulates Illinois coal mines, ...

and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund. Since 2015, the position of Director has been vacant.

References

{{authority control Environmental organizations established in 1963 State agencies of Illinois