In 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the Final Environmental Assessment and Findings of No Significant Impact authorizing the Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in northeastern Illinois. The Service continued efforts such as encouraging conservation activities by partners, building relationships, and fostering support for the Refuge in the area since authorization. The Friends of the Kankakee, established in 2001, played an important role in gaining community support and remains an important partner in community through outreach and conservation land acquisition in the area. It was through Friends of the Kankakee’s land acquisitions that Kankakee NWRCA was officially established on May 25, 2016, with the acceptance of a 66-acre donation from the Friends of the Kankakee. 

Board of Directors

Have you ever heard of the Prairie State Conservation Coalition? Friends of the Kankakee is a proud member of PSCC, our statewide association of private and public land conservation organizations.

For twenty years, PSCC has been growing the collective voice for land conservation in Illinois and providing a central place for more than 40 conservation land trusts and other organizations who save, protect and steward natural areas in Illinois. PSCC holds statewide and regional conferences, professional development training, and provides support to executive directors and opportunities for professional networking. To learn more about PSCC, visit www.prairiestateconservation.org