OREGON – Together for Taft is working to bring new life to the closed Lorado Taft Field Campus by turning it into a place for outdoor learning for all ages. After Northern Illinois University decided to let go of the 141-acre site, the group began asking for help from the city, state, and local residents to keep the campus going. Their plan includes nature programs, school trips, green job training, and events open to the public.
Julie Bassett, founder of Together for Taft said they want it to be accessible to everyone.
“We want to open it to the public, so it would be an open campus, whereas before it was a closed campus. We want to extend that into high school and college students. We also want to include a hub for children and young adults, to have global reach.”
They are also building support through fundraisers, partnerships, and volunteers, while waiting for official agreements to move forward, including a possible agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.