Dozens of conservationists descended upon Kilbuck Bluffs Forest Preserve south of Rockford this afternoon to send a message to Governor Blagojevich. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn addressed the crowd to express his disapproval of Blagojevich's plan to close several state parks including Castle Rock and Lowden Park in Oregon.

Quinn says conservation should be a policy that continues from generation to generation. "President Teddy Roosevelt in 1908 said that conservation is the patriotic thing to do. It was true then. It is true today. It's true forever."

On Tuesday, the senate approved legislation that would restore funding to our state parks. If you are interested in conserving Illinois parks you can sign a petition at saveourstateparks.org.