Here's the latest information on the proposed Kennekuk Environmental Education Center from the
"Vermilion Conservationist" Spring 2012 edition

"Senator Mike Frerichs and Representative Chad Hayes announced that the Vermilion County Conservation District would receive a $1-million dollar grant for the construction of Phase I of the Kennekuk Environmental Education Center.  The announcement was made at the Vermilion Chapter of Pheasants Forever banquet, held on February 11th, 2012.  The grant was made possible by Senator Frerichs and the retired Representative William Black in 2009, when they included the project as part of Governor Quinn's capital construction bill.  Each legislator committed $500-thousand and Representative Hays kept Representative Black's commitment as a high priority project.  The grant is being administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity."

"Executive Director Ken Konsis of the VCCD commented in his remarks that Phesants Forever also played an integral role in the District, receiving a $400-thousand IDNR Open Space Land and Development grant by donating a 107-acre parcel of land to the District to be used a match for this grant.  The Busby-Meyer Wildlife Area was dedicated in May 2010 and is located adjacent to the entrance of Forest Glen Preserve in Westville."

"Konsis gave a brief history of the project, dating back to 1995 when the District's education staff requested that a new classroom facitility be placed on the District's Master Plan.  Currently, classrooms for the Outdoor School program are housed in a converted garage and an addition to the current nature center.  In 2003, many government and community organizations met with District officials and recommended that the eduation center expand to include more than just classrooms, but serve the entire community and region as a whole.  Therefore, Phases II and III will include a 1/5th-acre roof prairie, a museum room and a timber framed conference center with a capacity to seat up to 500 people.  This will fill a niche that currently is a void in Vermilion County.  The VCCD is hosting the National Walnut Council's annual meeting this summer, but had to move it out of county because no local facility could handle the attendance of this meeting.  Rental of the conference center will cover the overhead expenses of a building of this size."

"In 2005, the Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation received a sizeable donation for the purpose of hiring an architect to do preliminary work on the center.  This among many other facets of the project, has already been completed.  The entire building will include as many green technology componets as possible."

"The Wheeler Foundation of Danville has already provided a grant to construct a hard-surfaced walking trail that is about 1/4 mile in length and includes three overlooks in the adjacent woodland.  The trail is completely accessible from the main road and is now 70% completed."

Below is a video showing the story of the Kennekuk Environmental Education and Conference Center, and it's importance as a center for environmental studies as part of the Outdoor School and other educational programs and as a conference center for the community.  It will also serve as headquaters of the Middlefork National Scenic River.  Also below are two videos which showcase the proposed Kennekuk Environmental Education and Conference Center.