National Wildlife Refuges

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
309-535-2290

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
618-997-3344

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
618-634-2231

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
309-535-2290

Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
309-535-2290

Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
217-224-8580

Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
217-224-8580

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge
309-535-2290

Savanna District, Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
815-273-2732

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge formerly Brussels District
618-883-2524

State Facts

• The Service employs 121 people in Illinois

• The Fiscal Year 2006 Resource Management budget for Service activities in Illinois totaled $6.8 million

• Ten National Wildlife Refuges in Illinois total more than 124,000 acres

• In 2004, more than 1 million people visited national wildlife refuges in Illinois to hunt, fish, participate in interpretive programs and view wildlife

Federal Assistance to State Fish and Wildlife Programs

In 2006 Illinois received:

• $8 million for sport fish restoration

• $5.7 million for wildlife restoration and hunter education

• Wildlife Restoration Act fund helps with the management of forests and grasslands which result in improved recreational opportunities for hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts.

• Overall funds have helped the state purchase six waterfowl management areas improving over 72,500 acres of wildlife habitat.

Ecological Services

Chicago Ecological Services Office
847-381-2253

Marion Ecological Services Office
618-997-3344

Rock Island Ecological Services Office
309-793-5800

Fishery Resources

Large Rivers Fisheries Coordination Office
309-793-5811

Carterville Fishery Resources Office
618-997-6869

Law Enforcement

Cargo Processing Office
847-298-3250

Chicago Wildlife Inspection Program
773-894-2910

Springfield Law Enforcement Office
217-793-9554

Other Programs

Federal Aid
Migratory Bird Conservation
North American Waterfowl Management Plan
Private Lands Office
Realty  

Other Information
State Capital
Travel Information
Midwest Natural Resources Group (MNRG

Bald Eagle Recovery Efforts

The Rock Island Ecological Services Office coordinates nationwide efforts to recover the federally threatened bald eagle

Cache River Basin

At Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, home of the oldest living plants east of the Mississippi River, a partnership including the Service, Ducks Unlimited, the State of Illinois and The Nature Conservancy is preserving and restoring the Cache River Basin, recognized as one of the country’s most unique natural areas and designated a Wetland of International Importance.

Aquatic Nuisance Species

A partnership of state, federal and private groups is working together to control the invasion of aquatic nuisance species in Illinois’ waterways. Recognized as threats to native fish, wildlife, and plants, as well as to the economy, non-native species such as Asian carp, round goby, and zebra mussels threaten the character of the state’s waterways as well as the Great Lakes. Efforts to stop the advance of Asian carp toward Lake Michigan and to halt the downstream movement of round goby to major rivers systems -- notably the Mississippi River -- include intensive monitoring and installation of an electronic barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.