§ 45-0101. Declaration of findings and purpose.

The overwhelming approval by the people of section 4 of article XIV of
the Constitution, clearly demonstrates the public awareness and desire
to preserve the great natural resources and heritage of the state.

Accordingly, the legislature now finds it necessary to provide for a
state nature and historical preserve to assure the protection of lands,
outside of forest preserve counties, of special natural beauty,
wilderness character or geological, ecological, or historical
significance so that present and future generations may share their
ecological, educational and recreational value.

Lands dedicated to the preserve shall include only those lands in
state ownership in need of the highest level of protection. The
dedication of ecologically significant lands to the preserve is intended
for unique and irreplaceable state-owned lands that are relatively
undisturbed and not presently being actively managed through modern
forest management practices, including old-growth forests.