FRANKLIN GROVE – More and more acres are being set aside by land trusts throughout the U.S. – a trend with a local effect.

In 2010, the Franklin Creek Preservation Area Committee bought 80 acres near the Franklin Creek State Natural Area and is working to buy 40 more this year, said Bill Abate, a committee member.

“There is very little natural land left in the state of Illinois,” he said. “They call Illinois Prairieland, but less than 1 percent of land in Illinois is prairie. If what’s left is not preserved, it will all be gone.”