Restoring Illinois’ Natural Treasures for People and Nature

If you’re one of the 3.8 million people who fished, hunted or enjoyed wildlife watching in Illinois in recent years, chances are good that you visited a natural area that’s been protected and restored through conservation efforts. Today, with much of our land developed, only 425,000 acres of our precious high-quality natural areas remain in Illinois. That’s why The Nature Conservancy has collaborated with state, federal and local partners to protect what’s left, and in some cases, restore or entirely recreate natural areas. The result is places where populations of migratory waterfowl, fish and other wildlife rebound, creating those hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities that so many of us grew up with—and that we want to pass on to future generations.

One of the greatest examples of this can be seen at our Emiquon Preserve near Lewistown. In the early 1900s, the Illinois River was one of North America’s most ecologically and economically significant river systems. It supported the most productive inland commercial fishery and highest mussel abundance per mile of any stream on the continent. Along this river system, Emiquon was the jewel, nurturing diverse and thriving communities of native plants and wildlife in its complex system of backwater wetlands and lakes. Due to its rich soil, this land was eventually drained and converted to agriculture.

The Conservancy and many local, state and federal partners spent seven years planning to transform around 6,700 acres from farm field back into thriving floodplain. Water has returned to this incredible landscape, along with the many creatures that rely on it for survival. The restoration of this natural area is especially important as many of Illinois’ more than 8 million acres of wetlands have been drained and developed. Today, 90 percent of these habitats have been lost.

Emiquon’s rich plant communities create perfect habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory and resident birds, including American bald eagles, white pelicans, and dozens of species of ducks, geese, herons, egrets and shore birds. Depending on the time of year you visit, you could be treated to spectacular views of bird migration. In total, there are more than 280 species of native birds at Emiquon.

Incredible populations of migrating waterfowl provide hunting opportunities for locals and tourists alike. Each year, we offer a sustainable hunting program as a public service and to share some of the many benefits provided by restored wetlands. Limited waterfowl hunting is allowed in-season on specific dates and times. For more information, visit our Emiquon Hunting website.

Thanks to restoration efforts, tens of thousands of anglers, paddlers and hikers also experience Emiquon. From the preserve’s trails and boardwalks visitors see thriving wetland plants, including reeds, rushes, naiads and American lotus. Keen eyes may catch a glimpse of Emiquon’s river otters, muskrats, beavers, mink and short-tailed weasels.

I hope you come and enjoy the restored habitats at Emiquon for yourself, and that you bring friends and family. To learn more and plan your visit, go to nature.org/Emiquon.

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Jason Beverlin is the Deputy Director of the Illinois Rivers Program for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois.