Illinois River Restoration
Over 100,000 acres of Habitat Protected and Restored along the Illinois River
Members of the Midwest Natural Resources Group (MNRG) have made substantial contributions to protecting, restoring, and sustaining natural resources within the Illinois River watershed as the interagency partnership strives to bring focus and excellence to Federal activities within the watershed in support of the health, vitality, and sustainability of the natural resources and the environment.
Volunteer Boyscouts planting bottomland hardwood
trees in forest restoration project on Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo
courtesy of US Fish and Widlife Service.)
Over the years, the MNRG meetings have provided a forum for proactive coordination among Federal agencies to eliminate duplication, establish proper agency roles, and develop partnerships to optimize Federal programs for enhancement of the natural resources of the Illinois River. Because of this, those involved with this watershed believe that the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal natural resource restoration efforts were significantly improved on the Illinois River.
The benefits to the watershed's landscape that resulted from this partnership are readily apparent as a person travels along the Illinois River. Over 100,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat have been protected and restored through the coordinated efforts of the US Department of Agriculture, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, together with several state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and various non-governmental organizations.
Waterfowl resting in a restored wetland on Emiquon
National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo courtesy of Josh Stafford, Illinois
Natural History Survey.)
In addition, these agencies are developing plans to curb the advancement of exotic species, elevate efforts for ecosystem restoration, and provide river transportation in a safe and efficient manner along the Illinois. In the meantime, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Geological Survey, in partnership with the Illinois EPA, the Illinois DNR and others, are monitoring the physical and biological resources of the Illinois River in order to establish priorities to guide adaptive resource management.
See a set of drilldown maps (printable maps, PDF, 4pp, 314K)
Contact
Ross Adams, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Manager, Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges, 309-535-2290, ross_adams@fws.gov
Illinois River Focus Area Achievements (PDF, 5pp, 32K)