Save the Springdale Cemetery Savanna!
Sign the
Online Petition and Write to the
Springdale Board of Directors
Springdale Savanna is a 20 acre historic natural area located in a remote section of Springdale Cemetery in Peoria. In hopes of earning more money, the Springdale Cemetery Board is looking at the Savanna for revenue. At their next monthly meeting, Tuesday, December 20, at 4:00 pm at the Springdale Cemetery Board Room (just behind the Springdale office on Prospect Road), they could decide to destroy a large portion of the Savanna and attempt to sell burial plots.
Another, separate area of the Savanna would be developed into a
green burial area. In the green burial area the plots would be much
larger, there would be no headstone other than a small boulder, no
concrete vaults, no embalmed bodies and only biodegradable
materials for a coffin or shroud. The landscape would be encouraged
to restore itself as a natural area and remain that way forever.
However, with green burials a portion of the natural area would be
destroyed, approximately 4 feet by 8 feet.
Peoria Wilds is the primary volunteer group that has been
involved in restoration work at Springdale Savanna. They have a
documented time investment of over 3,000 hours over the past 20
years. Their Board of Directors is opposed to any form of burial
within the Savanna.
The HOI Sierra Club agrees 100%. The highest value of the Savanna
is in its natural state, with periodic controlled burns and removal
of invasive exotic species. The Springdale Board of Directors should
maintain its current commitment to restore the natural area, and
continue its agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources and the Nature Preserves Commission. The Savanna is the
most biologically important area of Springdale and should be
protected from any and all destruction.
Green
burials are a great idea, but not within the most
biologically endangered habitat, the tall grass savanna. A separate
green burial area should be developed within Springdale, which
currently has over 50,000 available grave sites for sale. For nearly
160 years the savanna has been protected by its owners. It is a
living symbol of a commitment to the future generations. The
Springdale Cemetery protection should continue, with a goal of
native habitat restoration.
SAVE THE SAVANNA. GREEN BURIALS will be great…… somewhere else
inside Springdale.
What you can do:
- Sign the online petition to save the Springdale Savanna.
- Write to the Springdale Cemetery Board of Directors, using the sample letter as a guide. Mail to:
Springdale Cemetery Board of Directors
3014 N Prospect Road
Peoria, Illinois 61602
- Write, email, or phone individual Springdale Cemetery Board members using the board member contact list.
Thank you.
Check the map below for the location of the Springdale Cemetery Savanna.
View Springdale Cemetery Savanna in a larger map