The Cache River is a 92-mile-long (148 km) waterway in southernmost Illinois , in a region sometimes called Little Egypt . The basin spans 737 square miles (1,910 km) and six counties: Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union. Located at the convergence of four major physiographic regions, the river is part of the largest complex of wetlands in Illinois. The Cache River Wetlands is America's northernmost cypress/tupelo swamp and harbors 91 percent of the state's high quality swamp and wetland communities. It provides habitat for more than 100 threatened and endangered species in Illinois. In 1996, the Cache was designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention .
31-821: A significant portion of the Cache River Wetlands are protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources . Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge , established in 1990, covers 15,000 acres (61 km) of aquatic and riparian habitat, and is eventually planned to expand to 35,500 acres (144 km). The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Cache River State Natural Area protects another 14,489 acres (58.63 km). Local landowners, through Wetlands Reserve Program easements with Natural Resources Conservation Service , protect an additional 13,500 acres (55 km) of restored wetlands. Also through NRCS, landowners are using
62-625: A U.S. National Natural Landmark . The Heron Pond – Little Black Slough Nature Preserve , another National Natural Landmark, is located within the upper stretch of the Cache, upstream from the Post Creek Cutoff. The Cache River area was used as a trading crossroads by Native Americans , and has several sites of archeological interest within its boundaries, including the Cypress Citadel site just south of Cypress, Illinois . French voyageurs gave
93-662: A diversion channel that was cut to connect the Cache and the nearby Ohio River . Completed in 1916, the Post Creek Cutoff divided the Cache into two watersheds: the Upper Cache, which drains down the diversion channel to the Ohio, and the Lower Cache, which drains to the original outlet on the Mississippi River . In 1952, the Karnak levee was constructed, further cementing the division between
124-511: A grassroots organization of hunters, fishermen, and nature lovers, enlisted the help of state and federal agencies as well as non-profit groups such as The Nature Conservancy to form the Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture Partnership. During the past 15 years, efforts have been made to control erosion, reduce siltation, stabilize water levels, restore game species habitat, and provide recreational opportunities to
155-574: A minimum of 80 percent of that revenue goes directly toward habitat conservation . Their sources of revenue include federal and state habitat reimbursements, conservation easements, sponsors, members, major gifts, donations, royalties, and advertisement. The majority of DU's financial contributors and 90 percent of its members are hunters. Its DU Magazine contains many historical and practical articles on waterfowl hunting. It obtains revenue from advertisements of waterfowling equipment such as shotguns, ammunition, decoys, and bird calls. Additional revenue
186-498: A small group of conservation philanthropists decided to focus on the decreasing waterfowl populations, and the habitat necessary to sustain them in Canada. Ducks Unlimited was incorporated on January 29, 1937. Local Winnipeg artist Ernie Wilson created the original Ducks Unlimited logo. More Game Birds in America was then absorbed by the new waterfowl organization. Ducks Unlimited Canada
217-514: A variety of conservation practices, such as conservation tillage, grassed waterways, and reforestation; many of these practices are through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives and Wildlife Habitat Programs. In all, more than 45,000 acres (180 km) of private lands are using some sort of NRCS conservation program in the Cache River Watershed. The Lower Cache River, a habitat that encompasses much of these landholdings, has been listed as
248-428: A wide range of corporations, governments, other non-governmental organizations , landowners, and private citizens to restore and manage areas that have been degraded and to prevent further degradation of existing wetlands. DU is also active in working with others to recommend government policies that will influence wetlands and the environment. DU generated more than $ 201 million in revenues during their 2019 fiscal year;
279-547: Is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people. In 1927, an offshoot of the Boone and Crockett Club was created specifically for sport bird management and operated until 1930 as the American Wild Fowlers. Membership included such people as Arthur Bartley and Nash Buckingham , who would later be involved in
310-583: Is considering a restoration project that could repair the levee as part of its efforts to restore low water flow. To date, two reports on this subject, created by the Center for Watershed Science at the Illinois State Water Survey, are publicly available. Since the 1970s, efforts have been made to restore the Cache to something more like its historic state. The Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River,
341-535: Is raised by commissioning artists to create duck artwork, with a portion going to the artist and the majority share of revenue going to Ducks Unlimited. Eric Thorsen is one wildlife artist who has contributed artwork for fundraising. In 2019, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the University of Saskatchewan partnered to establish the "Ducks Unlimited Canada Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation". The position will aid
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#1733084825280372-709: The Illinois State Museum system, and oversees scientific research into the soil, water, and mineral resources of the state. In 2017, the Illinois Historic Preservation Division was added to its portfolio. It is headquartered in the state capital of Springfield . The former Illinois Department of Conservation was reorganized into the Illinois Department of Natural Resources by executive order in 1995. The reorganization, codified into state law by Public Act 89-50, also added functions of
403-525: The Shawnee National Forest to Harrisburg, Illinois . The wetland center also contains information about places to hike, canoe, fish, hunt, or watch birds in the Cache River region. The Friends of the Cache River Watershed is an organization that promotes natural resource conservation throughout the five county Cache River watershed. The organization focuses on environmental education, resource conservation, management, and related issues throughout
434-688: The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Ducks Unlimited became involved with multiple clean-up efforts in Gulf states. The organization worked with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to protect approximately 79,000 acres of waterfowl and other waterbird habitats. In 2015, Ducks Unlimited partnered with The Trust for Public Land to build an online database that tracked conservation and cleanup efforts following
465-465: The Cache Watershed. The organization advocates sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, as well as restoration of wetlands, bottomland, and upland forests. Friends of the Cache River Watershed facilitate a common meeting ground for individuals and entities associated with agriculture, education, tourism, rural communities, special interest groups, and government agencies that have an interest in
496-678: The Deepwater Horizon spill. On August 16, 2018, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a $ 1.8 million cooperative agreement with Ducks Unlimited to clean up oil spills and hazardous waste in the State of Texas from releases originating from the Gulf of Mexico. Ducks Unlimited produces a television show, Ducks Unlimited TV a.k.a. DUTV . This show is hosted by Field Hudnall, Wade Bourne, and Ainsley Beeman. The show highlights conservation and waterfowl hunting across
527-767: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources had a budget of $ 187.1 million Its headquarters is located at 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, Illinois 62702, adjacent to the Illinois State Fairgrounds . Chauncey Marsh is located in the Illinois portion of the Wabash valley. In 2022 The Nature Conservancy expanded it by purchasing a 649 acre adjacent parcel and transferring it to the IDNR. [REDACTED] Media related to Illinois Department of Natural Resources at Wikimedia Commons Ducks Unlimited Ducks Unlimited (DU)
558-553: The breach, this section of the Cache is exposed to increased risk from flooding. The future of the levee remains uncertain. Management of the levee falls to Big Creek Drainage District No. 2. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers no longer considers the levee in its programs, making it ineligible for federal funding. The Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture Partnership (composed of Ducks Unlimited , Illinois Department of Natural Resources , Natural Resources Conservation Service , The Nature Conservancy , and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service )
589-437: The conservation movement. In 1930, Joseph P. Knapp , a publishing tycoon who successfully obtained such notable publications as The Associated Sunday Magazine , Crowell Publishing Company, Collier’s Weekly , Farm and Fireside, and the book publisher P.F. Collier & Sons, founded More Game Birds in America and American Wild Fowlers was quickly absorbed into the new organization. In 1937, Knapp, Robert Winthrop, E.H.Low and
620-487: The environment and natural resource usage, protection, and restoration. Illinois Department of Natural Resources The Illinois Department of Natural Resources ( IDNR ) is the code department of the Illinois state government that operates the state parks and state recreation areas , enforces the fishing and game laws of Illinois, regulates Illinois coal mines and other extractive industries, operates
651-500: The former Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources and the Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals to the agglomerated agency As of 2009, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was divided up into 16 offices and bureaus In 2017, parts of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, were folded in the IDNR and became the Illinois Historic Preservation Division . As of fiscal year 2006,
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#1733084825280682-538: The mouth of the Ohio River , stealing their goods and sinking or selling their watercraft down river. However, the Cache provided excellent hunting and fishing, and abundant timber. Belknap, IL resident W. Marshall stated that the Cache River Basin was “good country for men and dogs, but powerful trying on women and oxen.” Between 1810 and 1890 timber harvesting became a major industry in the Cache basin, Cypress wood
713-513: The prairies. Ducks Unlimited has also expanded its operations to include conservation projects in every state of the United States and Mexico. It retains a primary focus on habitats most important to waterfowl, including the restoration of duck breeding habitats in Canada and the northern central states and ducks overwintering habitat, mainly in the coastal and southern states and in Mexico. Following
744-970: The public. One long-term goal of the joint venture is to restore the hydrologic continuity of the Upper and Lower Cache. Over the course of the restoration work, there have been tensions between the conservationists and some local landowners. Some of the region's farmers feared that restoration of the wetlands would cause flooding and loss of agricultural land, and many resented what they perceived as ‘outside influences’ meddling in their communities. Some local sportsmen feared that their favorite hunting and fishing grounds would either be put off limits or else overrun by visitors. State and Federal agencies have attempted at all times to reach compromise with local landowners and sportsmen, but tensions and resentment remain. The Cache offers ample recreation opportunities, such as canoeing, hiking, bird watching, fishing, and hunting. The Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center interprets
775-416: The river its modern name, calling it Cache , which means secret or hidden place. American settlers arrived in the region in 1803. They found the soil too wet for farming, and the swamps full of mosquitoes and venomous snakes; many early settlers died of malaria . According to legend, from about the 1790s to 1820, Colonel Plug , a river pirate, ran a gang of cutthroats and preyed on unsuspecting travelers near
806-469: The spring flood season. The failure of the levee has resulted in dropping water levels in the Lower Cache. An interesting effect of this diversion is that in times of high water direction of flow on the lower Cache reverses, flowing east to the diversion channel. When the water level in the lower Cache drops below the diversion channel level, flow resumes its westerly travel to the Mississippi. Also, because of
837-457: The two rivers. In 1950, about 11 miles (18 km) north of the Cache's natural mouth at the Ohio River, a diversion channel was created to connect the Cache and Mississippi rivers. Those last 11 miles (18 km) of the Cache continue to drain into the Ohio through the original channel. In 2002, the levee dividing the Post Creek Cutoff and the Lower Cache suffered a catastrophic failure during
868-501: The unique natural and cultural history of the Cache River Wetlands. The center also forms the southern anchor to the 47.5-mile (76.4 km) Tunnel Hill State Trail , which is a favorite with bike enthusiasts. The trail provides an excellent look at the sloughs and bottomland forest as it follows the disused Norfolk Southern Railway grade (originally owned by the Cairo and Vincennes Railroad ) from Karnak to Vienna, then continues north through
899-578: The university faculty and students with environmental education, research, and outreach. In March 2019, Ducks Unlimited named former Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam the new Chief Executive Officer. Traditionally, most Ducks Unlimited wetland conservation projects were conducted on waterfowl breeding areas in the Canadian prairies by its sister organization, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). DUC has since expanded its operations to include projects in every Canadian province and territory, not just in
930-632: Was incorporated in Winnipeg , Manitoba , on March 10, 1937. As of 2020, Ducks Unlimited Canada has a conservation community of 111,025 people. Ducks Unlimited also works in Mexico through their sister organization, Ducks Unlimited de Mexico. Other chapters have since begun operation in Latin America , Mexico , New Zealand , and Australia . Ducks Unlimited has conserved at least 15 million acres of waterfowl habitat in North America . DU partners with
961-462: Was sought for its lightness and water-resistant properties. The small towns on the edge of the swamp experienced a small boom during this period. Several sawmills and small factories sprung up to process timber for lumber, railroad ties, charcoal, and packing crates and boxes. After most of the accessible timber was cut, local industry shifted to agriculture, and a program of diversion and draining began. The landscape changed dramatically, largely due to