Expanding Conservation Partnerships with Native Stewards

Loading....

Expand Conservation Partnerships with Native Stewards

The Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and the American Indian Center of Chicago are just a few of the First Nations and Indigenous organizations in favor of HB 1605. Join in the call to pass HB 1605.

What's Happening:

Native American tribes are the ancestral stewards of our natural landscape, and they remain the keepers of sacred, effective conservation knowledge and practices to this day. Due to forced removal and predatory treaties over the years, native tribes have been separated from their land and ways of life tied to that land.

We have an opportunity to return the management of some Illinois lands to federally recognized tribes by adding them to the list of entities that can hold a conservation easement in our state. HB 1605 would allow consenting landowners and land trusts to enter into land protection agreements with federally recognized tribes. This policy change would make it easier for landowners to ensure that land is protected and conserved under the care of a native tribe while giving many tribes a feasible path to stewarding their traditional lands.

What you can do:

Use this form to contact your senator and ask them to support and co-sponsor HB 1605. If they are already a co-sponsor of this legislation, you will be able to send a message thanking them for their support.

Please enter your contact information so we can connect you with your state senator.

Openlands Privacy Policy

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Address, line 1*

City*

State*

Zip Code*

I'd like to receive updates from this organization

Take Action

Organization Name
Org Address Line 1
Org City, Org State Org Zip

Get in touch! Org Email or Org Phone

Expand Conservation Partnership with Native Stewards

What's Happening:

We have an opportunity to return the management of some Illinois lands to federally recognized tribes by adding them to the list of entities that can hold a conservation easement in our state. HB 1605 would allow consenting landowners and consenting land trusts to enter into land protection agreements with federally recognized tribes. This policy change would make it easier for landowners to ensure that land is protected and conserved under the care of a native tribe while giving many tribes a feasible path to stewarding their traditional lands.

What you can do:

Openlands Privacy Policy

Members of the Illinois State Senate

Subject: Expanding Conservation Partnerships with Native Stewards - Support HB1605

Message:

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to support and consider co-sponsoring HB 1605. This bill amends the Real Property Conservation Rights Act and empowers Illinois landowners to conserve land and water by adding Native American tribal nations to the list of entities to voluntarily partner with.

Since its enactment, the Real Property Conservation Rights Act has provided Illinois landowners with a conservation option called a "land protection agreement" (also known as a "conservation easement"). These land protection agreements are voluntary agreements between landowners and a government agency or a nonprofit organization. Land protection agreements allow landowners to protect the important natural, agricultural, and historical features of their property. Illinois landowners have used these land protection agreements to protect thousands of acres of farmland and wildlife areas across the state.

Under current law, landowners can only enter into land protection agreements with a nonprofit organization or a unit of federal, state, or local government. House Bill 1605 gives landowners the additional option of working with federally recognized tribes to achieve their conservation goals through the use of land protection agreements. With the passage of HB 1605, Illinois will join the ranks of 31 other states that allow landowners to enter into land protection agreements with federally recognized tribes.

By supporting HB 1605, you will contribute to:

- Expanding Property Rights: Providing landowners with additional, voluntary options for conservation partnerships.
- Preserving Cultural Heritage: Allowing tribal nations to steward lands that are significant to their heritage, benefiting all Illinois residents.
- Enhancing Conservation Efforts: Increasing the capacity for land protection through diverse partnerships.

I respectfully request your support for HB 1605 to empower property owners with greater flexibility in their conservation endeavors.

Thank you.

Members of the Illinois State Senate Co-Sponsoring HB1605

Subject: Thank you for Supporting HB 1605 to Expand Conservation Partnership with Native Stewards

Message:

As your constituent, I am writing to thank you for co-sponsoring HB 1605.

Since its enactment, the Real Property Conservation Rights Act has provided Illinois landowners with a conservation option called a "land protection agreement" (also known as a "conservation easement"). These land protection agreements are voluntary agreements between landowners and a government agency or a nonprofit organization. Land protection agreements allow landowners to protect the important natural, agricultural, and historical features of their property. Illinois landowners have used these land protection agreements to protect thousands of acres of farmland and wildlife areas across the state, and this bill would amend the Act to include tribal nations to the list of entities that can enter into these voluntary agreements.

By supporting HB 1605, you will contribute to:

- Expanding Property Rights: Providing landowners with additional, voluntary options for conservation partnerships.
- Preserving Cultural Heritage: Allowing tribal nations to steward lands that are significant to their heritage, benefiting all Illinois residents.
- Enhancing Conservation Efforts: Increasing the capacity for land protection through diverse partnerships.

As your constituent, I want to thank you for co-sponsoring HB 1605 to empower Illinois landowners to conserve land and water by adding Native American tribal nations to the list of entities to voluntarily partner with.

Thank you.

Organization Name
Org Address Line 1
Org City, Org State Org Zip

Get in touch! Org Email or Org Phone

Thank you! Your messages were sent.

Continue your support with two quick actions

Submit a Witness Slip by to show your Senator that you care

A witness slip officially shows your support for this bill. Please take a minute to fill out a witness slip no later than 3:30 pm on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Here’s how to fill one out:

Go to this link: https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/157764?committeeHearingId=22068&LegislationId=157764&LegislationDocumentId=197554
Section I – Enter your information. In the “Firm/Business or Agency” box, enter “myself” unless you are representing an organization or agency.
Section II – In "Representation," enter “myself” or the name of the entity that you're representing.
Section III – Mark “Proponent” to show your support.
Section IV – Select “Record of Appearance Only.”
Next, click the box next to "I agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement."
Finally, click "Create Slip(s)" to submit your witness slip!

Need help? Here’s a tutorial video from our friends at Prairie Rivers Network to guide you through the process

Organization Name
Org Address Line 1
Org City, Org State Org Zip

Get in touch! Org Email or Org Phone

Expand Conservation Partnerships with Native Stewards

What's Happening:

Expand Conservation Partnership with Native Stewards

What's Happening:

We're not able to contact your elected officials, but you can still help!

Thank you! Your messages were sent.

Continue your support with two quick actions

Submit a Witness Slip by to show your Senator that you care

Share This and Ask Others to Support