CHICAGO (AP) – It turns out the economic downturn has an upside for Illinois forest preserves. Groups working to expand such green havens in the Chicago area have been able to buy large pieces of land after plans for residential developments fell apart.

Since 2008, prices for those coveted pieces of land have dropped, as have interest rates, helping put them in the hands of conservationists who say the expansion of preserves will benefit endangered wildlife, the Chicago Tribune reported.

“Any public or private conservation-minded organization is sitting in a good place right now,” said Dan Lobbes, director of land protection for The Conservation Foundation. “Things have quickly turned.”