Kankakee Times

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) has been appointed to lead the Thirty-by-Thirty Conservation Task Force, which aims to help protect the state’s natural resources.

A Dec. 2 release from Barickman’s office states the task force is part of a nationwide movement dubbed Thirty-by-Thirty, focused on protecting 30% of land and water resources by 2030.

“I love the outdoors, whether it’s hiking, fishing, or hanging out on the family farm, and I want to make sure we protect our natural areas so that future generations can enjoy them as well,” Barickman said in the release. 

The Thirty-by-Thirty Conservation Task Force was officially created in August through House Bill 3928. Barickman was a chief sponsor of the bill, also sponsored by Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Champaign)

“I look forward to working with this task force to develop plans to protect our natural resources,” Barickman added.

According to the release, this comes following a significant boost from Pontiac Township High School Students working with lawmakers in the 53rd Senate District. 

“It’s very exciting to see our passion and momentum reflected back to us by those joining or supporting the task force and our conservation efforts,” Pontiac Township High School Students Emma O’Lone, Ava Nollen, and Olivia Schickel said in the release.

Among their efforts, the students  testified remotely during a Senate committee hearing via Zoom. The legislation creating the task force had largely been inspired by the work of students in teacher Paul Ritter’s classes at Pontiac Township High School, the release states. 

Barickman was appointed to head the committee Nov. 23 by Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), according to the release.