In several cases including Rockford, Chicago, DuPage County, Kane County and Peoria agencies have more than one museum. This is an especially significant number in light of the financial and physical requirements of these facilities and the collections they maintain. The partnership between educational facilities and park and forest preserve districts, though hardly new, is perhaps more significant now than ever before. Nature centers fill an important niche by giving the public access to beautiful forests and prairies as well as unique educational opportunities. Environmental issues, though always important, have attracted more and more attention in recent years.
School curriculums show a greater emphasis on the environment and so do the media.
Even the public relations campaigns of large corporations reflect the status of environmental issues. The effects of urban sprawl have given rise to a greater need for open space. In many areas experiencing rising crime rates, a visit to protected and staffed facilities offers an appealing option for families and individuals. Not only are the educational and recreational aspects significant, but so are the often overlooked psychological benefits. Nature centers put us in touch with the fundamental elements of our world.