We’re in a race to save natural areas in Illinois. Almost gone are the “oceans of grass” prairies that pioneers saw. Less than one-tenth of one percent of our original prairie remains. Disappearing fast are oak ecosystems, the State’s signature tree. They once covered 1,000,000 acres of our region’s land area. Today it’s just 173,000 acres. 90 percent of wetlands have vanished in 150 years. Dundee Township has a compelling opportunity to become a bright spot in this dark picture. Within its borders, more than 2,000 acres of land have already been set aside as Township Open Space and Forest Preserves. Yet, legal protection alone of this land is not enough. A special effort to restore these lands to a natural state is needed. Restoration involves “rewilding”– from healing land infested by invasive vegetation all the way to starting from scratch; reseeding and replanting former cropland devoid of native plants. Restoration of 2,000 acres of public land is no quick turnaround. The number of government employees engaged in the process can almost be counted on one hand. Another challenge is the cost – up to $2,000 per acre. Thus rewilding can be frustratingly slow, stretching out from months to years. But we need not wait for the government to provide more money and more people to help save our natural areas. That, greatly simplified, is the mission of Friends of Dundee Natural Areas (FDNA). We are a non-government, not-for-profit charity. We seek donations to support the enhancement of natural areas exclusively in Dundee Township. And we invite citizen-conservationists like you to join us as volunteers in the field.