Northern bobwhite photo: Stephen Pollard
Our voices in support of natural areas are needed greatly NOW.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking review and comment on a draft visioning document for the Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in Kankakee and Iroquois counties, Illinois. The Refuge Area was established in 2016, recognizing the important and unique natural resources of the area.
The Kankakee Refuge priorities are to protect rare remnants of black oak sand savanna and prairie in one unit and remnant forest floodplain and wetland in another unit. Habitat will be restored and connected for the benefit of birds, other wildlife and flora, particularly threatened or endangered species. Compatible activities include bird watching, photography, hiking, paddling, fishing and hunting.
What's not to like? There are some that are opposed to the Refuge, and have introduced misinformation as to what the Refuge will accomplish. Our voices in support of natural areas are needed greatly, and NOW.
Please take 5 minutes to express your support for the Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area.
What you need to do
A simple email and affirmation of your support is all that is required. Additional comments expressing support of the benefits to wildlife living in this remnant forest floodplain and wetland are also encouraged. Send your email in support to: R3Planning@fws.gov (subject line “Kankakee NWR LPP Comment”)
More information on the Refuge and Conservation Area
As the refuge grows, it will greatly enhance the populations of hundreds of species of plants and animals that depend on rivers, wetlands and prairies for their survival. Prairie and oak savanna habitats are important to many grassland-dependent migratory birds species that are declining, such as the Henslow’s sparrow, bobolink, dickcissel, meadowlark and grasshopper sparrow. They are also important to savanna bird species of concern such as the red-headed woodpecker, northern bobwhite, northern flicker, field sparrow and Baltimore oriole. A main objective of the wetland planning unit would be to increase breeding populations of dabbling ducks, such as mallards, blue-winged teal and wood ducks. The refuge also benefits wetland birds of concern, such as the prothonotary warbler, cerulean warbler, black tern, American woodcock, least bittern and king rail.
Find out more about Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area: