The University Committee on Natural Areas proposes to purchase one or more parcels of land adjacent to the Vermilion River Observatory. The VRO is a 500 acre property owned by the University of Illinois situated five miles southeast of Danville, Illinois. For over 50 years, it has been utilized for teaching and research in the astronomical, biological, ecological, and other sciences. With this project, we hope to add land to the VRO that connects the current University property to the Vermilion River. With this, we will add valuable space for natural areas conservation as well as teaching and research opportunities. Another indicator of success will be student involvement in the process of managing the newly acquired property. We will solicit student volunteers and researchers to design an ecological restoration project focusing on former agricultural land on the purchased property. Students will participate in all aspects of this project, including developing and enacting a restoration plan. An additional benefit of the restoration plan will be a measurable (or calculated) increase in carbon sequestration on University-owned land. This proposal directly funds:
1. Land Appraisal and Purchase