Realty Section

The Realty Section is responsible for the acquisition of land and its interest for the Department's various programs. These programs include: natural areas, wildlife habitat, trails, bike paths, C2000, pheasant habitat, migratory waterfowl areas, and statewide Department purposes. Interest in property is acquired by means of purchase in fee, donations, jurisdictional land transfers, permanet easements, term easements, and legislative transfers.

The Section provides real estate appraisal and acquisition assistance. It provides major technical assistance to other Offices, Divisions and Sections within the Department related to land issues, such as the State of Illinois Open Space Land Acquisition & Development Grant Program (OSLAD) and Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant Program (LAWCON or LWCF).

Greenways and Trails Section

The Greenways and Trails Section is responsible for the Greenways and Trails Program, site planning, capital project planning/review/coordination, land reviews, site trails planning, special studies and reports and technical assistance.

The Greenways and Trails Program co-sponsors conferences and workshops, provides staff support to the Illinois Greenways and Trails Council, and reviews projects through the Recreational Trails Program and the Greenways and Trails Planning Assistance Program. In addtion, program staff edit and publish The Green Scene newsletter, and the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).