Uploaded August 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In our last video we got to see one of the rarest flowers in the world blooming in its habitat for the first time in over a decade. It's the Kankakee mallow (Iliamna remota), under threat of extirpation and completely unique to Illinois... and we want to make it the official state flower! Field outreach coordinator Robb Telfer kicked off the campaign and we're TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS. It's an election year, after all.

Want to help us change the state flower of Illinois?! Write to your own state rep (list here!: ilga.gov/house/default.asp) and ask them to co-sponsor this bill! Also tell them why you think it's a good idea. Doesn't need to be lengthy, and politeness helps. bit.ly/2aHIRVw
The current bill to change the state flower of Illinois from the violet, to the unique Kankakee Mallow (Iliamna remota): legiscan.com/IL/text/HB4338/2015

Read more about the campaign: habitat2030.org/dont-be-shallow

If you want to know more, help out, and follow the progress of the Kankakee Mallow, check out the Friends of Langham Island group: facebook.com/LanghamIsland
More info here: langhamisland.org
Habitat 2030: habitat2030.org
You can get involved in habitat restoration with The Field Museum! AND you get to hang out with Robb. fieldmuseum.org/at-the-field/programs/volunteer-habitat-restoration
Mallow propaganda art designed by Liz Anna Kozik liz.kozik.net

Check out the podcast on the mallow by our friends In Defense of Plants: indefenseofplants.com/blog/2015/3/23/a-mallow-called-kankakee

Special thanks to Robb Telfer, Trevor Edmonson, Habitat2030 and The Friends of Langham Island for all of their work to support the Kankakee Mallow's unique habitat, and also for making this campaign a possibility.

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Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Emily Graslie

Director, Editor, Graphics, Sound:
Brandon Brungard

Production Associate:
Sheheryar Ahsan

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This episode is supported by:
The Field Museum in Chicago, IL
(http://www.fieldmuseum.org)

And made possible with help from the Harris Family Foundation.
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