Stewardship Philosophy

MRCP's Principle of Ecological Restoration and Management
We believe in repeated, consistent and effective best management practices at the highest quality sites with the greatest levels of protection. 
​
Allocation of Resources
​Our Bylaws require that a committee annually recommend to the Board of Directors prioritized schedules of sites for:
  • stewardship days,
  • prescribed burns and
  • allocation of financial resources, primarily for contracting stewardship.
Picture
2017 Board of Directors
Both the recommendations to the Board and the decisions by the Board will be based proposed sites' merits including:
  1. Is the proposed site is located within the MRCP geographic boundaries?
  2. Does the proposed site meet or exceed a Grade C evaluation of the Illinois Natural Area Inventory? 
  3. Is the proposed project is consistent with the MRCP Principles of Ecological Restoration and Management? 
  4. Is the proposed site permanently protected as defined by being either an:  
  • Illinois Nature Preserve Commission Nature Preserve (INPC NP)
  • Illinois Nature Preserve Commission Land and Water Preserve (INPC and LWP)
  • Wetland Reserve Program permanent designation
  • Protected by a permanent conservation easement with a non-profit entity.
Ownership by a government agency or non-governmental organization (NGO) will be considered permanently protected, but to a lesser degree than a site protected by the private designations.
 
Privately owned sites without permanent protection will have the lowest   priority   for resources, but can be considered in unique circumstances.  ​