1. (a) The provision of lands for the conservation of natural resources and public recreation promote the public health, prosperity, and general welfare and are proper responsibilities of State government.
2. (b) Lands now dedicated to these purposes are not adequate to protect the quality of life and meet the needs of an expanding population.
3. (c) Natural areas, wetlands, forests, prairies, open spaces, and greenways provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife and are in need of protection.
4. (d) The opportunity to acquire lands that are available and appropriate for these purposes will gradually disappear as their cost correspondingly increases.
5. (e) It is desirable to encourage partnerships among federal, State, and local governments and not-for-profit corporations for the acquisition of land for conservation and recreation purposes.
6. (f) It is necessary and desirable to provide assistance in the form of grants and loans to units of local government to acquire lands that have significant conservation and recreation attributes.

(Source: P.A. 91-220, eff. 7-21-99.)