User:DrSylvan/Illinois Natural History Survey

The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) is one division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability, a part of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Its mission is "to investigate and document the biological resources of Illinois and other areas, and to acquire and provide natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources."

INHS was originally organized in 1858 as the Natural History Society of Illinois and located at Illinois State University. The organization moved to Champaign, Illinois in 1885, eventually merging with the Office of the State Entomologist.

Merger with University of Illinois
The Natural History Survey, along with its sister Survey organizations, were loosely tied to the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign for many years, and officially became a part of the University, under the Vice Chancellor for Research, effective July 1, 2008. Among the changes brought by the merger was the inclusion of Survey personnel in the Illinois State Universities Civil Service System.