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• . ' '· CYPRESS CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE '

Ullin, Illinois

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ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1994

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U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

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REVIEW AND APPROVALS

CYPRESS CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Ullin, Illinois

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ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT I ~'1L(­ Calendar Year ~

~ 1-).~ctL,.._ Refuge Manager ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

~ A. HIGHLIGHTS 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 2

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title 3 2. Easements ...... 3. Other ...... 4. FMHA 4 D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan 5 2. Management Plan 5 3. Public Participation 6 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates 6 5. Research and Investigations 8 6. Other 9

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel 11 2. Youth Programs 12 3. Other Manpower Programs ...... 4. Volunteer Program 13 5. Funding 14 6. Safety 15 7. Technical Assistance ...... 8. Other ......

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General 16 2. Wetlands 16 3. Forests 19 4. Croplands 20 ,, \.I

HABITAT MANAGEMENT (cont.)

5. Grasslands 20 6. Other Habitats 21 7. Grazing ...... 8. Haying 21 9. Fire Management 21 10. Pest Control 22 11. WaterRights ...... 12. Wilderness and Special Areas ...... 13. WPA Easement Monitoring ...... 14. FMHA ...... 15. Private Lands 22 16. Other Easements

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity 23 2. Endangered and/ or Threatened Species 23 3. Waterfowl 24 4. Marsh and Water Birds- 25 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species ...... 6. Raptors 26 7. Other Migratory Birds ...... 8. Game Mammals ...... 9. Marine Mammals ...... 10. Other Resident Wildlife. 26 11. Fisheries Resources ...... 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking ...... 13. Surplus Animal Disposal ...... 14. Scientific Collections 27 15. Animal Control ...... 16. Marking and Banding ...... 17. Disease Prevention and Control ......

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General 28 2. Outdoor Classrooms- Students 28 3. Outdoor Classrooms- Teachers 28 4. Interpretive Foot Trails ...... 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...... 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations 28 7. Other Interpretive Progrrams 29 H. PUBLIC USE (cont.} Page

8. Hunting 29 9. Fishing ...... 10. Trapping ...... 11. Wildlife Observation 30 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation ...... 13. Camping ...... 14. Picnicking ...... 15. Off-Road Vehicling ...... 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation ...... 17. I...aw Enforcement ...... 18. Cooperating Associations ...... 19. Concessions ......

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction 32 2. Rehabilitation. 32 3. Major Maintenance ...... · 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement 34 5. Communications Systems 34 6. Computer Systems 34 7. Energy Conservation 34 8. Other ......

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs 35 2. Other Economic Uses 3. Items of Interest 36 4. Credits 37

K. FEEDBACK

L. INFORMATION PACKET (inside back cover) INTRODUCTION

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, 35,320 acres delineated, was established June 26, 1990 in the southern Illinois counties of Alexander, Johnson, Pulaski, and Union. A temporary headquarters is located on the campus of Shawnee Community College, nine miles east of Ullin, Illinois.

The Refuge was authorized under the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-645) for the primary purpose of wetlands protection and restoration: " ... .intensifying cooperative efforts among private interests and local, State and Federal governments for the management and conservation of wetlands; ..... ". 16 U.S.C. 3901. Located within the Cache River Watershed, the Refuge is part of the New Madrid Wetlands Project of the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Cooperators in this Cache River Wetlands project include: Illinois Department of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, and Ducks Unlimited, as well as the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service. The Cache River Watershed shelters 56 Illinois endangered and threatened species, includes three National Natural Landmarks, declaration as a bio-reserve and most recently was designated a "Wetland of International Importance" by the Ramsar Convention (one of only 11 other· sites across the country).

The Refuge totals 12,000 acres; over 2,000 acres were acquired in fiscal year 1994. Habitat acquisition from willing sellers has been with Land and Water Conservation Funds. Broad habitat types within the Refuge delineation include: wetlands, bottomland forests, upland forests and agriculture.

Topography of the 475,000 acre Cache River Watershed varies from 890 feet above mean sea level in the northern hills to 280 feet mean sea level at the Mississippi River. Climate includes warm, humid, summers and cool to cold winters. Average annual precipitation is 45 inches, average annual snowfall is ten inches, and frost free days average 230 annually.

Four physiographic regions of the United States come together within the Refuge area. The most dramatic region is the Gulf Coastal Plain with its bald cypress and tupelo gum swamps. Historically, vast tracts of naturally flooded bottomland hardwoods and wetlands provided resting, nesting and feeding habitat for ducks, geese, and a variety of other migratory birds and resident wildlife. (i •.I

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge ILLINOIS

Vicinity PURCHASE BOUNDARY - U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service JOINT VENTURE ACQUISITION Illinois Department of Conserviation The Nature Conservancy Ducks Unlimited

Dongola 0

.ShawneeCollege

•Pulaski

Sandusky

NORTH

TEN MILES Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge lies within the Central Lowlands, Ozark Plateau, Gulf Coastal, and Interior Low Plateau physiographic provinces.

Restoring the Balance ('·J

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A. HIGHLIGHTS

Acquisition In fiscal year 1994, 2,152 acres were acquired bringing the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge total fee ownership to 12,000 acres. There is $1.5 million available for land acquisition for fiscal year 1995. (Section C.1)

Ramsar Designation Approximately 60,000 acres of the Cache River basin of southern lllinois was officially recognized on November 1, 1994 as an area of international importance by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The Convention, often called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides for international cooperation for the conservation of wetland habitats worldwide. The application was submitted by the Joint Venture Partnership. (Section J.l)

Reward Poster The Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River developed the idea of a REWARD program to deter open dumping and vandalism of signs and facilities . within the Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture. In addition, they have offered to pay the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons who willfully damage or destroy property. (Sections H.17, J.1)

Cache River Wetlands Brochure A four color descriptive publication was printed by the_ Citizens Committee to Save the Cache. The publication provides an overview oLthe Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture and promotes the develop of a Wetlands Education Center.

Headquarters/Visitor Center Study A comprehensive feasibility study was completed by Booker and Associates of St. Louis. Recommendations and estimates were made regarding the Wetland Education Center's location, operation, and cost. (Section D.1)

Boyd Seed Tree Orchard A Memorandum of Agreement was entered into between the Illinois Department of Conservation (Union State Tree Nursery), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Nature Conservancy. This mutually beneficial agreement involves the establishment of a hardwood seed tree orchard. (Section F.3)

Staff Addition Elizabeth Jones transferred from Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to a new position at the Refuge as a Refuge Operations Specialist. (Section E.l) 0

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B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The Great Flood of 1993 finally subsided but in its wake it left thousands of acres damaged, some beyond repair. On February 5, 1994, an earthquake measuring 4.2 on the richter scale, was felt by everyone in the area. The epicenter was located approximately 10 miles north of the of the Refuge boundary. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Rainfall for the area was just over 45 inches; snowfall totaled 13 inches. Artie cold temperatures during the month of January set new records. On January 19th the temperature dipped to minus 13 degrees. The following table reflects temperatures and precipitation totals as reported in Anna, Illinois.

Temperatures (in F) and Precipitation (in inches).

MONTH TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION SNOWFALL High Low Inches Inches

January 58 -13 4.34 8.5

February 69 14 2.18

March 75 21 3.13 9

April 82 25 6.20

May 86 36 1.86

June 96 57 4.60

July 92 57 2.14

August 91 53 3.28

September 88 47 2.64

October 85 32 3.74

November 72 24 8.84

December 60 19 2.09

Overall High and Low Temperature Total Precipitation 96 -13 45.04 17.5 0

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C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title

The following shows Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge fee acquisition activity through fiscal year 1994.

FISCAL ACRES DOLLARS FUNDING YEAR PURCHASED SPENT$ RECEIVED 1990 736 328,000 2,000,000 1991 3,263 2,175,863 2,175,760 1992 1,904 1,371,858 1,374,800 1993 4,050 3,087,115 3,400,000 1994 2,152 2,006,099 3,064,937 TOTAL 12,106 $8,968,935 $12,015,497 *Dollars Spent - represents the cost for the actual land purchase

Major acquisitions included:

Delta Lands- A signed option has been obtained for the purchase of 1,103 acres. The- __ _ purchase included land outside the purchase boundary presenting an exchange opportunity for 1997. Due to a dump site, 40 acres was excluded from this purchase.

Churchill - Acquisition of the Churchill property has been long awaited. The 157 acres is situated near the northern border of the Bellrose Reserve providing access and wildlife observation opportunities. The Churchill home has potential for intern housing or a public use facility.

As of December 1994, the Fish and Wildlife Service had 10 landowner offers out representing 1, 700 acres. Another 700 acres are in the appraisal process. Offers for 1995 will total $2.0 million.

The Minneapolis Regional Office realty team of Bill Harrison, Supervisor; Betty Persson, Negotiator; and Bob Halvorson, Fergus Falls Appraiser, handled Cypress Creek Refuge realty functions.

For fiscal year 1995, the Refuge received $750,000 for land acquisition. With a fiscal year 1994 carry-over of $750,000 there is $1.5 million available for fiscal year 1995. 0

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p arce1 s p urc has ed d unng . fitsc a1 year 1994

TRACT NAME COUNTY DOLLARS ACRES NUMBER 145 Stringer Pulaski 95,699 147.23 271 Mitchell, et.al Alexander 5,300 8.00 212 Finch Alexander 30,000 51.98 117 C.Johnson · Pulaski 32,000 40.00 34 Eddleman (exchange) Union 4,500 60.00 272 Parker et. al ·· Alexander 23,000 12.00 273 Sauerbraun Pulaski 14,600 1.00 228 Williams Alexander 203,000 261.50 46 Allen/Kerly Pulaski 197 000 201.29 274 Delta Lands, Inc. Pulaski 1,100,000 1103.40 135 Churchill Pulaski 193,000 157.61 191 Kerr Alexander 108,000 108:00 TOTAL 2,006,099 2,152.01

4. .farmers Home Administration

One parcel (Reiman tract) near the Mississippi River was surveyed and two wetlands were delineated. Another area (Goins tract) was added to the Refuge's inventory and has been posted. 0

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D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan

Strategy for Master Manage~ent Plan - Currently, no funding exists to develop a master management plan for the Refuge. However, a schedule for the master planning process has been developed to implement when funding becomes available.

Headquaners!Visitor Center Study- A $70,000 comprehensive feasibility study was completed by Booker and Associates of St. Louis. The study included market analysis, site selection, program development, concept design and cost estimates. The study found that the proposed Wetland Center would provide an excellent educational and public use service to this five county area of southern Illinois. ·

2. Management Plans

Several management plans were finalized during the year.

Public Use Concept Plan- As a result of two-day Public Use Workshop, a concept plan was finalized and completed this year. Participants in the workshop included Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture partners and other interested parties representing both public and private sectors. The document outlines a vision for public use within the Joint Venture Project. Public use objectives were also identified to help guide decisions regarding types of uses and activities to offer, facility development and location.

Water Management Plan - A water management plan was completed and approved for the Refuge. The Frank Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve is the primary location of most of these operations. At the Reserve, nearly 300 acres of water are actively manipulated and managed for wildlife. The remaining acres (250) covered by the plan are scattered throughout the Refuge and consist of seasonally flooded wetlands and moist soil units.

Bellrose Management Plan- A management plan for the 1,000 acre Frank Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve was completed. Input was submitted by Dr. Leigh Frederickson of the Gaylord Research Lab, The Nature Conservancy, and from other Joint Venture partners. The Bellrose plan for this area is of paramount importance since this area is pivotal and represents most of the management area for waterfowl and shorebirds on Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

Fire Plan- As a result of a site visit by the Fire Coordinator Wendell Olson, a fire plan with the new format is being written for the area. The plan should be completed during 1995 and will have elements of protection such as a fire district agreement. 0

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3. Public Participation

Refuge Advisory Committee - The public continues to be included in the decision making process that affects the direction of Refuge development and management. Refuge Advisory Committee meetings were held during the year to provide information and to solicit ideas regarding management. The Committee includes local landowners and representatives from businesses, agencies, and organizations in the southern five counties.

Watershed Resource Planning Committee - Refuge staff along with other natural resource professionals served as technical advisors to the Resource Planning Committee for the Cache River Watershed. The Planning Committee, consisting of 24 members representing agricultural and non-agricultural interests, was assembled as part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant received by The Nature Conservancy. This group of citizens have identified nine resource issues in the watershed. Their challenge is to reach consensus and develop a resource management plan that addresses each issue. Refuge Staff will continue to serve-as technical advisors in 1995.

4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

Archaeological Surveys - A Level I survey was conducted on 281 acres on five tracts within Union and Pulaski counties. The tracts included: Stubblefield South, Stubblefield North, Van Eddleman, Hileman North, and Hileman South. Fifteen sites- (14 prehistoric and one historic) were located during the survey. Materials from the ______prehistoric sites and isolated finds spanned the Early Archaic to Late Woodland periods. Seven of the 15 sites were recommended for further archeological investigation.

Two archeological contracts were completed on 11 tracts within the Refuge in Alexander, Union, and Pulaski counties. American Resources Group Ltd. was contracted to conduct a Phase I survey totaling 5. 9 acres on the following tracts: Poole, Wood, R. Boyd, Williamson, and J. Rolwing. Prehistoric materials were found on the Poole tract. A Level II survey was conducted on Poole parcel and significant cultural resources were found. The quantity and quality may warrant eligibility in the National Register. In order to protect this site, the area will be left undisturbed. A gravel drive, sidewalks and building foundation and steps will be left . in place. Page 7

0 s

adapted from USGS 1250.000 n•I"U•,...• '-' vv... ••"'"' ·"''" Archeological Surveys conducted of Poole, Wood, Williamson, R. Boyd, L. Boyd, J. Rolwing ,-,

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Contaminant Surveys - Enserch Environmental Corporation conducted a Level Will contaminants survey on the Stoner tract. Previous sampling on the 40 acre tract had indicated volatile organic compounds were present in the sediment of abandoned channel of Big Creek; the oxbow channel was used as a dump for household and farm trash. Survey finding showed the contamination to be restricted to the oxbow channel on the west 20 acres of the Stoner tract. The east 20 acres does not contain any contaminants and is scheduled for acquisition. ~

une 1 Household trash dump on the Stoner tract .

A Level ill (pre-acquisition) survey was conducted on the Smith tract. Some chemicals were found, however, due to small area involved it has been recommended for cleanup by the Refuge staff.

5. Research and Investigations

Neotropical Bird Study - The third phase (fourth year of study) of a multi-year study to assess neotropical bird usage of the Refuge and surrounding areas of the Cache River (\ ·J

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Wetlands was continued. The project is funded by the Joint Venture partners and a challenge grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the research is being carried out by the Illinois Natural History Survey. The project identifies abundance, distribution and nesting characteristics of neotropical and resident bird species and included radio telemetry of cowbirds to assess parasitism. The cowbird portion of the project located primary feeding areas and attempted to determine usage of different ·components of the landscape. Another major objective of the research is to study rare species with specialized habitat requirements (e.g. Swainson's and cerulean warblers) and to determine their possible dependence on floodplain disturbances.

This project will address several key questions regarding the current status of fragmented floodplain ecosystems and will include recommendations that will help the Joint Venture partners restore functioning communities for migrant birds. The·results will also provide a model for both floodplain and habitat restoration in primarily agricultural landscapes.

Corridor Width Study Program - An adjunct study to the neotropical bird research, is the determination of corridor (wooded) width effects on the movements of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals; data collection is also being undertaken by the Illinois Natural History Survey. During 1994, the project was initiated and consisted primarily of trapping different species to access movements. The study will be continued in 1995.

6. Other

Intern Research Program- Four Southern Illinois University students assisted The-­ Nature Conservancy, the Refuge, and Cache River State Natural Area in conducting research, monitoring, management, and other activities within the Cache River Watershed. The Nature Conservancy provided a stipend to each student participating in the internship program. Student interns are expected to develop a project plan, conduct their research, and a management report. Fiscal year 1994 studies included: Sharon Cline- working with the Nature Preserve Commission, Holly Harris- forest restoration monitoring program, Mark O'Leary- barrens restoration, Amy Horstman­ cane inventory and restoration.

Ecosystem Function and Restoration Study - This study was initiated and funded in part by the Mellon Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The objectives of this three year study involves: 1). to better understand the interaction between human and natural systems within the Cache River Bioreserve; 2). to use this understanding to evaluate land and water resource management alternatives designed to conserve local biological diversity and foster economic development; 3). to link models of socioeconomic processes with hydrologic models and from there to ecological models of wetland forest dynamics and wildlife habitat. 0

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Interdisciplinary Study of Illinois Wetlands - The Illinois State Museum was awarded a Scientific Literacy grant to conduct a three-year Illinois Wetland project. The Cache River Wetlands (Pulaski County) is one of six geographic areas designated for the project. The study will develop a model for an interdisciplinary approach to science, technology, and society. It will train teachers and students in grades 5-8 on how to apply the scientific method using Illinois wetlands as the subject under investigation. The intention of the project is to work with participating schools and identify specific needs to develop an integrated curriculum that emphasizes increased scientific literacy of school children. Alexander and Pulaski County Study- U.S. Corps of Engineers (COE) -The General Investigations Study of Alexander and Pulaski Counties, Illinois (A & P Study) is an ongoing project focusing on the area between Vienna, Karnak, and Perks (which includes Little Black Slough, Heron Pond and the Lower Cache River. The original -- purpose of the A & P Study was flood control. Due to lack of economically viable flood control measures this purpose changed focus to environmental restoration. Five phases are involved in the COE's proposed process: reconnaissance planning phase (completed 1992), feasibility plan, preconstruction engineering design phase, construction phase, and operations and maintenance phase. The hydrology of the Cache River Watershed have been altered by many human changes. Two major problems being addressed by the COE include sedimentation in the lower Cache and the tremendous amount of downcutting in the Post Creek Cut-off which threatens Heron Pond/Little Black Slough further up stream. Planning objectives include reducing the effects of sedimentation and entrenchment along the Cache River. Page 11

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel

Another member of the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge staff was added in September. Elizabeth Jones transferred from Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge as a Refuge Operations Specialist.

Fish and Wildlife Service Personnel NAME TITLE SERIES/GRADE

Hinkle, Jean R. Administrative Technician GS-0303-06

Jones, Elizabeth 0. Refuge Operations Specialist GS-0485-11

Novara, AI N. Wildlife Biologist GS-0486-11

Prosser, Dave E. Maintenance Worker WG-4749-08

Updike, Gerald H. Refuge Manager GM-0485-13

Hutchison - March 1995 Refuge permanent staff: Dave Prosser, Jean Hinkle, AI Novara, Liz Jones and Jerry Updike ()

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F ISh an d W"ldrti1 1 e Servtce T emporary ·p ersonne1 NAME TITLE SERIES/GRADE

Bierman, Gene Laborer (5/30 to 8/5) WG-3502-2

Fry, Donald Tractor Operator (6/28 to 9/30) WG-5705-6

. •:- Sheible, Paul J . Laborer (5/30 to 8/19) WG-3502-2

Simmons, Timothy L. Laborer (5/30 to 9/30) WG-3502-2

The N a t ure c onservancy p ersonne1 NAME TITLE

Dresser, Mary Resource Center Assistant

Guetersloh, Mark Assistant Land Steward-Ecologist

Hutchinson, Max Ecologist

Maginel, Dave Land Steward

Pahner, Bob Assistant Land Steward

Penberthy, John Southern illinois Field Director

Vogt, Tim Community Ecologist Specialist

Bartolo, Salvador Seasonal Staff

Haden, Terry Seasonal Staff

Amy Horstman - Cane Restoration Intern

Mark O'Leary- Barrens Restoration Intern

Holly Harris - Forest Reforestation Intern

Sharon Cline -lllinois Nature Preserves Intern

Mark Guetersloh joined The Nature Conservancy staff in February as a temporary Ecologist; he joined the staff full-time in September.

2. Youth Programs

Job Training Pannership Act - Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge participated in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Summer Youth Employment Program (Title II-B). Melissa Carr, a graduate of Meridian High School, Mounds, was placed at the Refuge worksite for 16 weeks (her second year at the Refuge). This program provides Page 13

economically disadvantaged youth with practical work experience during the summer. Funding was through JTPA Title II-B.

Youth Conservation Corps Program- The second year of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program was held for eight weeks from June 12 to August 5, 1994, with two enrollees. Applications were sent to 13 schools within the four county area. The summer started with Carlin Box and Shenetra Price, both or Cairo, lllinois. Carlin Box worked for two weeks, then left upon his acceptance into Southern Illinois University's summer program for exceptional students. Steve Hinkle of Dongola, Illinois replaced Carlin. Summer enrollees worked with Gene Bierman, summer laborer, primarily doing boundary posting.

Updike, August 1994 Temponuy, JTPA, YCC staff at Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge: Don Fry,Shenetra Price, Gene Bierman, Paul Sheible, Melissa Carr, and Steven Hinkle.

4. Volunteer Pro~ram

The Volunteer Program is in its third year. Work accomplished during 1994 included dump site cleanup, planting of approximately 250 acres with seedlings, cleanup of purchased sites after the removal of buildings, removal of old fenceing, and placing of rip-rap along eroded ditch banks. Volunteers and the JTPA students were presented with Fish and Wildlife Service T -shirts in appreciation for all their help. In an effort to recruit and involve more people in Refuge and Joint Venture activities, volunteer job descriptions were developed and a list of Stewardship Saturdays have been scheduled for the fourth Saturday of every month beginning February 1995. 0

Page 14 c;ypress C ree k N at10n . al W"ldl"~1 1 e R e f uge Vo 1 unteer H ours:

ACTIVITY 1992 1993 1994

Maintenance 4,600 7,270 8,000

Resource Support 120 32 64

Public Use 0 0 0

Administrative 428 244 180

TOTAL HOURS: 5148 7546 8,244

TOTAL VOLUNTEERS: 78 81 78

5. Funding

Acquisition Funding~ Land and Water Conservation funds for fiscal year 1994 land acquisition were $3,064,937. Of that amount, $2,314,937 were obligated (includes land acquisition and related expenses) leaving a carryover for fiscal year 1995 of $750,000. Total funding, including the carryover, for fiscal year 1995 will be $1.5 million.

c;ypress C reekN a tion al W"ldl"fi1 1 e Re f uge f un d.mg fior filSC al years 1990 t hfOUl! h 1994.

PROGRAM FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 F¥94

Establishment & Realty $57,800 $92,000 $92,000 $60,000 $60,000 8421

Operations/ 18,500 165,100 189,800 $207,960 $260,770 Maintenance 1261

Farm Bill 1121 6,000 5,000 $5,000 -0-

Law Enforcement 1221 800 500 ...().

Maintenance Management 10,000 17,000 $20,600 $75,000 1262

Fire Management 9120 700 2,500 $110 $4,0

Fisheries 1332 $21,250

Nongame/Neotropical $5,000 $15,000 Birds {1261)

TOTAL ANNUAL $76,300 $274,600 $306,800 $298,670 $421,020 OPERATIONS 0

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Refuge Revenue Sharing- A total of $43,203 was paid under the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act for land owned by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Payments included: Pulaski County- $20,632, Alexander County- $4,313, Union County- $14,878, and Johnson County - $3,380. These payments represent 3/4 of one percent of the assessed value of the land acquired through fiscal year 1993.

6. Safety

Safety Meetings - General meetings and safety videos were presented throughout the year. All employees tested negative for Lymes disease. Youth Conservation Corps enrollees attended a safety orientation on their first day of duty. One accident occurred this year on the Refuge. Maintenance Worker D. Prosser, was bitten by a copperhead snake while cleaning an old farm building on newly purchased.land. Mary Dresser, The Nature Conservancy Staff, drove Dave to St. Francis Hospital Emergency Room where he was treated and released with no long term complications. Page 16

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

I. General

Refuge operations were back to normal this year after the Great Flood of '93 . This year's rainfall provided above average crop yields. However, damage from the rain swollen creeks and rivers during 1993 was especially apparent as prime bottomland timber did not survive the prolonged flooding.

2. Wetlands

Beaver dams were removed on Cypress and Limekiln creeks to facilitate drainage of private lands surrounding the Refuge.

Frank Bel/rose Waterfowl Reserve- To the west of Interstate 57 one dam was opened for a period of a month to permit drainage ofBellrose Waterfowl Reserve for moist soil plant development. For the first time, two permanent wetlands on the Bellrose Reserve were drained resulting in a spectacular growth of nut sedge. These areas were naturally flooded by fall precipitation and were used extensively by waterfowl.

Novara - September 1994 Nut sedge growth within the Frank Beilrose Waterfowl Resen·e. Page 17

Novara- February 1995 Frank Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve.

Cypress and tupelo regeneration was also observed along the shorelines ofthe two permanent wetlands in the Bellrose Reserve. The "trash line" effect of seasonal flooding accounted for this regeneration; these areas have been incorporated into the monitoring program to evaluate long-term recruitment.

Novara - September 1994 Cypress and tupelo regeneration within the Bellrose Reserve. (

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Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) was successfully transplanted to an area that seasonally floods south of moist soil Unit# 1. Cane restoration continued to be studied by intern staff. Other efforts were centered around controlling woody vegetation and cocklebur.

Unit #3 was heavily infested with willow and sycamore seedlings. This growth was checked by discing and planting the area to milo. Mowing of cocklebur in the other units was not successful . ...------.

Novara - September 1994 New species of cocklebur found on the Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve not previously recorded in this area.

Normally mowing does not kill cocklebur but by opening the understory, this allows grasses to compete. A prolonged dry period after mowing however, prevented many of the grasses from competing with the regrowth of cockelbur. The middle Unit #2 had an extensive cover of cocklebur and all efforts to control it were unsuccessful. This unit was finally mowed to a minimum height and flooded for shorebird use . The Gaylord Research Lab is investigating the possibility that this is a new species of cocklebur that responds well to wet soil conditions and does not conform to conventional control techniques

Broshy Moist Soil Unit - Two major levees were reconstructed and water level control devices were installed. Staff from Mingo National Wildlife Refuge assisted with dozer work and design of the stop-log structures.

Local well drillers and the Illinois Geological Survey conducted two separate surveys to locate an underground water supply for the Brushy Unit. Unfortunately, efforts were • unsuccessful; it appears the water source will be dependent upon rainfall . Page 19

Novara - August 1994 Stop-log Structure at the Brushy Moist Soil Unit

3. Forests

Reforestation- Tree seedlings were planted on 260 acres this year. The Egner and Boyd tracts were planted with a variety of bottomland hardwood species. Tree shelters were placed at a rate of 15-25 per acre. Other seedling plantings including Hogue Woods and the Harris Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land continue to thrive. Tree shelters have worked well and are recommended for future plantings.

Boyd Seed Tree Orchard- An alfalfa cover was successfully established on 37 acres of the Boyd tract; this area will eventually be planted with hardwood species in the spring of 1996. The Illinois Department of Conservation will assume maintenance of the trees while the Refuge will maintain a proper cover crop through the cooperative farming program. The Nature Conservancy is assisting with initial seed gathering, purchase, and placement of tree shelters. The goal, through fertilization and annual maintenance, is to produce trees that will begin to bear mast within 12 to 15 years. The seed nursery will also serve as an educational site demonstrating the restoration process and advantages of using genetically native stock. 0

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4. Cropland

Cooperative Farming- this method was used again this year to control noxious weeds and improve soil fertility for tree restoration; basically the farming program holds habitat "as is" until restoration measures can be implemented. The government share ofthe crop offsets the cost of additional fertilization to these areas and provides a valuable winter food resource for wildlife such as cottontail rabbits, whitetail deer and bobwhite quail.

1994 Cooperative Farming Program:

Cooperator Tract Name Crop Acres CRP Acres

B. Harris Eamhart/Harris 300 226 No cooperator, area mowed Hileman 226 180 Ray Schneider Juncker 360 D. Phillips Greenburg 328

D. Eddleman V. Eddleman 126

R. Pittman Schierbaum 24 36

R. Beasley M. Rolwing 144

D. Stringer Day 28 Refuge Staff Misc. 226 205

B. Owens Bellrose 580 180

B. Bass Boyd

B. Mcintosh Cross 250 100

M. Wolford Wolford 27

R. Kerley Kerley 124

TOTAL ACRES 2743 927

5. Grasslands

Redtop plantings on the Cross tract were not successful; the area will be replanted in 1995 to insure a hardy stand and prevent erosion south of the Cache River. Clover plantings on other areas will also be continued next year. ,-

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Spring Restoration - Seven springs were opened to increase water flows; spectacular flows were restored to two Refuge sites (Thomure and Eddleman). The net benefit or impact of opening springs has not been documented. The Refuge proposed that a spring study be conducted by The Nature Conservancy interns to determine impacts on floral and faunal characteristics before and after water flows are enhanced_

Spring restoration on the Eddleman tract

6_ Other Habitat

Quail Unlimited Tract - A small area planted with a seed mixture provided by Quail Unlimited was overcome by fescue. Future attempts will focus on complete removal of fescue to limit competition of other grasses prior to initial seeding.

8_ Haying

Three hay leases were implemented in areas where low grass cover was desired for wildlife viewing_ A total of 177 large round bales were harvested. The revenue generated, $885, was forwarded to the Denver Finance Center. Hay prices were based on fair market value in the local communities.

9. Fire Management

Fire Protection - A cooperative agreement protection plan for the Refuge was secured by signing agreements with adjacent fire protection districts. A total of four different agreements were put into effect for a specified yearly fee which varied by the acreage amount covered. Page 22

Fire Management Plan- During the fall, Area Fire Coordinator; Wendell Olson, on a field reconnaissance of the entire Refuge, made recommendations for fire control strategies. Prescribed burning will not be conducted due to extensive reforestation and heavy brush buildup. Development of a fire management plan was initiated this year and will be completed in 1995.

10. Pest Control

Monk thistle was the most pressing pest control problem on the Refuge. A combination of mowing and chemicals provided some control; however, the spread of this noxious plant and the fact that the plant appears in many different stages of development presents a control problem. Adjacent landowners are also experiencing the spread of this species especially on CRP land. Johnson grass, as always, is a perennial problem; mowing plus the use of chemicals appears to control it. During 1994, late fall temperatures and precipitation were conducive to a second growth of Johnson grass requiring a second mowing on most areas of the Refuge previously enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program.

15. Private Lands

Private land projects were minimal due to a lack of program funding. One minor project (Kiuger property) in Massac County was completed. This project created a five acre forested wetland. The Fish and Wildlife Service provided a culvert and water control structure for $800. Additional monies were requested for fiscal year 1995 to complete several projects which are on the Natural Resources Conservation Service waiting list. 0

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G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge lies at the junction of four physiographic regions (one of only six in the nation) resulting in a tremendous potential for a diversity of northern and southern plant and animal species. Maximizing this diversity and the establishment of presettlement vegetation continued to be the focus of management programs. The reduction in forest fragmentation, the interconnecting of upland and lowland sites, and the restoration of wetlands are .underway; however, this is only the beginning to the larger task of ecosystem restoration.

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

The following federally listed species occur within· or near the purchase boundary of Cypress Creek Refuge.

Common Name

Pink mucket pearly mussel Gray bat Indiana bat Orange footed pearly mussel Interior least tern Pallid sturgeon Price's potato bean Bald eagle

The bald eagle, a common winter resident in southern Illinois and associated with large concentrations of waterfowl, is no stranger to the Refuge. Beginning in January 1994, one adult and one apparent sub adult (an adult with an incomplete molt) began construction of a nest on the southwest portion of the Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve. That activity continued through the spring however, the nest was never active. It is hoped that the pair will initiate nesting in 1995. The nest was located in a cypress tree over water at a height of 65 to 70 feet.

Barn owls (state threatened species) appear to be making a comeback on the Refuge. Over a two year period, one successful nest on the Cross tract produced 12 birds that survived to fledgling. The other nests on the area have had sightings to confirm usage but nesting was not documented. Page 24

John Knapstein- July 1994 Bald eagle nest on the southwest portion of the Frank Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve.

3. Waterfowl

Waterfowl were surveyed at intervals when populations or usage indicated changes. The Refuge continued to provide excellent migrational habitat during both the fall and spring migrations.

Hutchison -February 1994 Snow geese on Easter Slough. Page 25

The noticeable decline in the counts during the early part of January 1995 was due to widespread ice cover causing dispersal from the area. When birds returned to the Refuge during February 1995, they were widely distributed on both Fish and Wildhfe Service land and adjacent private lands where there was free standing water.

One ten day period during February 1994, over 160,000 snow geese used the northeastern section of the Refuge as well as the Bellrose Waterfowl Resetve. Average population numbers (winter resident) for the area were 20,000 to 25,000 ducks, 25,000 Canada geese and 15,000 to 20,000 snow geese.

Waterfowl Summary Data - 1994-95 Leaond Estimated Totals . ,..... 11/11/94- Ducks 6702 o - Geese 50 45000 11/24/94 - Ducks 33,090 40000 Geese 15, 150

35000 12/11/94 - Ducks 30,500 Geese 19,000 30000 ~15000 12/23/94- Ducks 6,317 Geese 7,562 310000• 1/4/95- Ducks 150 15000 Geese250 10000 2/21/95- Ducks 16, 140 sooo Geese 40,000

0 11/11/94 11124/94 12/11/94 12123/94 114195 2121/95 Survey Dates

4.Marsh and Water Birds

Shorebird Management- Within the Bellrose Waterfowl Resetve, additional habitat for shorebirds was created. Measures to increase and prolong desirable mudflats resulted in significant usage by sandpipers. Due to a cocklebur problem, vegetation in Unit #2 was mowed to ground level during the fall. Cocklebur could not be controlled due to the summer drought. During the spring of 1995, water in Unit #2 will be lowered and maitained for shorebrrd use. Page 26

Novara- October 1994 Unit #2 of the Frank Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve managed for shorebird use.

6. Raptors

Four raptor surveys were conducted corresponding to the seasonal usage. Red-tail hawks and sparrow hawks were the dominate species followed by northern harriers during the late fall survey. Turkey vultures were also seen on almost every survey. This data contributes to a base line inventory that will be used to assess management efforts.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Twenty-three wild turkeys were trapped by the Illinois Department of Conservation for restocking on the Refuge. Some of these birds came from Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (30 miles to the north) while the remainder were from the Lake Kinkaid area in Johnson County. All releases were made at the Stucky tract located across the Cache River from Unity, Illinois. Numerous sightings were made during the summer by private citizens and Refuge personnel. Also, a flock of five wild birds was observed at the Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve; those sightings were attributed to a release at the Juncker site in 1992. Page 27

Hutchison - February 1994 February 1994 turkey release on the Stucky tract.

14. Scientific Collections

The Refuge staff participated with the U.S. Forest Service in a gypsy moth monitoring program during 1993 and 1994. Traps were installed in all major units of the Refuge. At the end of the season, traps were collected and analyzed; all reports were negative. The program will continue in 1995. (),

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H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

Since the establishment of the Refuge in 1990, public meetings and planning have been a major component of the Public Use program. In an effort to promote public involvement and disseminate information, a general brochure for the Cache River Wetlands was developed; this publication will be printed in 1995. Joint Venture partners assisted with the text and layout. The publication includes information on recreational opportunities, resource highlights, area history and regulations within the Joint Venture boundaries. The publication will fill a need to orient visitors to the Cache River Wetlands and partner roles. In addition, Refuge staff have initiated a column in the Tempo newspaper (Shawnee Community College). A greater effort will be put forth in 1995 to increase public involvement and events on the Refuge.

2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students

Refuge and The Nature Conservancy staff assisted with the Illinois Forest Resource Center's Stewardship Week. The event was held at Dixon Springs April 26-29 for__ _ elementary school students within the southern counties of Illinois. Groups of 25-30 students rotated through learning stations which highlighted different natural resource topics. Joint Venture staff ran 20 minute sessions on wetlands throughout the 3-day event. Participation included approximately 600 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

3. Outdoor Classrooms- Teachers

Two school partnerships at Anna-Jonesboro High School and Bennett Elementary School were initiated in the fall; in addition contacts made with teachers and administrators from Shawnee Community College - Biology Department and Cypress . School in Ullin. Schools partners were developed based on teacher/administration interest and enthusiasm and an identified partner project. A kick-off ceremony is targeted for Spring of 1995. Partnership projects include: Bennett School -landscape plan for a school nature area; Anna-Jonesboro High School- restoration of a 23 acre plot along the Cache River within Refuge boundaries.

6. Intemretive Exhibits/Demonstrations.

Refuge staff participated in the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The display included colorful photographs, brochures, wetland publications, and the wetland trunk. The exhibit received favorable feedback from fair-going participants. Page 29

7. Other Interpretive Programs

Annual Acorn Collection - The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Department of Conservation and the Refuge sponsored this event for the third year. Nearly 800 Boy Scouts throughout southern Illinois participated in this year's event. The event was held October 29th and 30th. During the two days of collection, nearly 2,000 pounds of acorns were collected for direct seeding in the Cache River Wetlands. The collection site included Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area. All participants earn a Joint Venture for their

0Vata - UC..:IIIUJt'OT Boy Scouts and volunteers participated in the Cache River Wetlands Annual Acorn Collection.

8. Hunting

Goose Hunting - Illinois is divided into three zones for the annual goose hunting program. The refuge is located in the Southern Zone and is adjacent to the Southern illinois Quota Zone (Alexander, Jackson, Union, and Williamson counties). The harvest quota allotted to these zones was 39,800 geese with season dates running from December 3 through January 22. As a result of unseasonably mild temperatures and late migration, this year's harvest failed to meet the season predictions for a banner harvest year. 0

Page 30

The Frank Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve is closed to all hunting except goose hunting; In 1994-95, the Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve was open to goose hunting December 13 through January 22 the day after the duck season closed. Two hundred hunting trips were recorded and hunters harvested 54 Canada geese for a daily success rate of .27 geese per hunter per day.

Dove Season - The Refuge, for the second year provided 35 acres of sunflowers in which hunters could harvest mourning doves. The program was successful with 156 hunters harvesting 683 doves; average kill was 4.4 doves per hunter per trip. Sunflower field residues also provided a winter food source for a variety of wildlife.

Deer Season - The deer harvest was considered excellent to good based on hunter interviews and car counts. The out of state hunter component was evident throughout the season and welcomed by the local economy. The Illinois harvest of deer was at a record level this year. Deer harvest registration is by county and deer harvested on the Refuge is not known.

11. Wildlife Observation

Christmas Bird Count -Twenty-five observers and fair weather kicked off the second annual Christmas Bird Count. The count was conducted on December 21 for Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding area. The first year effort resulted in 74,413 individual birds of 92 different species being counted. This year resulted in 98 species and 135,589 individual birds. Documented highlights include Ross' goose, fish crow, American pipit and the orange-crowned warbler. Other notable observations included a winter roost of short-eared owls at the Brushy Moist Soil Unit.

17. Law Enforcement

Roadside Dumping - Open dumping is rampant in southern Illinois as all landfills in the five county area have closed. There are four such roadside dumps along county roads adjacent to Cypress Creek Refuge. Many residents of this economically depressed area will continue to dump household trash until a feasible alternative is provided. Local counties are required to institute a waste management program by 1997.

REWARD Poster- Throughout 1994, the Joint Venture Partners have placed REWARD posters on facilities, signs, and other property within the Cache River Wetlands. The Citizen's Committee to Save the Cache River, Inc. developed the REWARD poster program to help deter open dumping and vandalism. The Citizen's Committee to Save . the Cache River also offered to pay the reward for information leading to the arrest of Page 31

individuals involved in such illegal actions. During the first year's use of the posters, no information was reported, no reward money was distributed, and most importantly, no vandalism occurred on the Refuge.

UP TO $500.00 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO ·e THE ARREST & CONVICTION OF PERSONS WHO WILLFULLY AND INTENTIONALLY DAMAGE OR . DESTROY PROPERTY UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CACHE RIVER WETLANDS PROJECTa TO REPORT VIOLATIONS CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-252-0163 PROGRAM ADMINISTRATED BY ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND SPONSORED BY THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO SAVE THE CACHE RIVER FOR PROGRAM INFORMATION CONTACT: CACHE RIVER STATE NATURAL AREA ...... 618-634-9678 CYPRESS CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE .. 618-634-2231 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ...... 618-634-2524

1·800-252·0163

Reward poster developed by the Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River, Inc. Page 32

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction

Fisheries funding was received for the design and development of the Tamms Boat Access site. Facilities include a 10 car gravel parking lot,· disability accessible vault toilet, bank fishing station, a hiking trail, and boat landings. A concept plan for the site and parking lot was completed in 1994. Site development will be completed in 1995.

2. Rehabilitation

Operations and Maintenance funds were used to start on a fiscal year 1995 rehabilitation project at the Boyd Tree Nursery. The floor and doors of a metal building were repaired for $3,900; the structure will be used for storage.

M'amtenance M anagement siystem- p ro]ects . compJ1 et ed"me 1 u d e:

NUMBER TITLE ESTIMATED COST ACTUAL COST

93005 Repair of eroded ditch bank $3,300 $5,932

93006 Repair levee and access road to Brushy $5,500 $6,290 Unit

93007 Eroded levee rehabilitation several tracts $2,200 $9,no were worked on due to flooding ..

94001 Replace gravel on Butter Ridge Road $5,200 $1,131

94002 Well, cistern, and septic tank fill per $4,000 $4,500 lllinois specifications

94003 Site Clean-up $6,000 $20,527

94004 Fence removal & sign repair $2,000 $5,465

91001 Office Renovation $595 $595

Vehicle Replace Blazer with over 112,000 miles. $20,200 $20,200 Replacement

Safety Stair railings $1,600 $1,600 Project

TOTAL $76,010 Page 33

contract wor k fior b Ul'ld' mg s1te c eanup me ldedu . CONTRACTOR WORK SITE WORK cosr Robert Ellis & Sons Boyd tract Licensed tank removal $1,500

Blue Grass Recycling 8 sites 30 yard dumpsters. $2,200

L. D. Goins Thomure, Harris, Site clean up and trash loading $1,500 Eddleman into dumpsters.

John Vander Road by Cypress Creek, Load and haul trash to landfill $2,970 Maintenance shop, Poole Tract, Hileman tract

Ned Gunn Boyd, J.Rolwing, Site clean-up and ground $1,850 M.Rolwing, Finch, maintenance. Greenburg

G & L Well Service 7 Sites Filling of wells, cisterns and $4,500 septic tanks (12 total)

B.J. Salvage Hielman tract Scrap metal cleanup $500

Mott Excavating T. Kerley tract, Smith Site clean-up. $2,000 tract

L. David Goins Earnhart tract Site Clean-up. $1,700

Donald Murphy Boyd tract House sites clean-up. $1,440

TOTAL $20,160

-

Updike- June 1994 Contractor cleaning up the Poole property. 0

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4. Equipment Utilization and Repair

M"ajor pure hases d unng . 1994

EQUIPMENT COST Unicor signs and. posts $3,485 Tubex Tree Shelters $2,400 Replacement Vehicle $20,200 Culti-packer $1,432 Post-hole Digger $830

5. Communications Systems

The Refuge is in need of a radio repeater system that enables communication between the office and staff in the field. The Refuge spans over 30 miles, through hills and valleys, making it difficult at times to contact staff out on the Refuge.

6. Computer Systems

Regional funding was acquired to develop the GIS system at the Refuge. New equipment included a Dell 486 computer, color monitor, 528MB hard drive, DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1, MS System Mouse, and Canon Printer (BJC-820). Vision funding for fiscal year 1995 will help to acquire data files to implement GIS.

7. Energy Conservation

Electric use at the Refuge office was 24,202 kilowatt hours at a cost of $2,539. The Nature Conservancy shares office space with Refuge staff and pay for utilities every other month. Energy use was up this year due to operating the water pump at the Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve and an error made the local electric company. Due to an error by Rural Electric Cooperative, the Refuge owed $2,978.75! Luckily this notification came the first of December allowing use of 1995 fiscal year funds.

Gasoline and diesel consumption increased as the size of the Refuge increased to 12,000 acres covering approximately 30 miles from north to south. Gasoline totals were 2,512 gallons at a cost of $2,966. Diesel fuel totals were 1, 106 gallons at a cost of $1,383. Page 35

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs

Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River - This group of dedicated individuals continues to support Refuge acquisition, funding for a Wetland Center, and the restoration of the Cache River. The Citizens' Committee developed a four color publication promoting the Joint Venture and the Wetlands Center and , in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Conservation, established a REWARD poster to deter vandalism within the Cache River Wetlands. They have been active in wetland protection efforts since 1979.

Cache River Watershed Resource Planning Initiative·- This planning initiative was funded with a $124,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant and co-sponsored by The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The study involves a technical committee of 11 agencies and a planning committee of 22 local residents from five counties in the watershed; committee members have met monthly to identify resource issues within the watershed. Resource concerns identified include: erosion, open dumping, private property rights, surface/ground water quality, support of farm conservation programs, drainage, Post Creek Cut-off, lack of timely/accurate information, drainage throughout the Cache River and the effects of wildlife on farming (vice versa). The Technical Committee exists to present a range of potential solutions for each concern. The Planning Committee will evaluate the viability of these solutions, develop a final resource plan by mid-1995, and oversee its implementation into the late 1990s. The Environmental Protection Agency hopes to use this watershed planning effort as a national model to involve the public in addressing resource issues.

Ramsar Designation- The Cache River Wetlands was designated a wetland of international importance by the Ramsar Convention. It is one of only 15 other sites in the United States with this designation. The Joint Venture Partners submitted an application for 60,000 acres within the Cache River Watershed. The Ramsar Convention includes over 70 countries and is a intergovernmental treaty that provides for international cooperation to conserve wetland habitats. This designation offers the Cache River and Cypress Creek wetlands international notoriety without mandatory changes in the way local landowners mange their land. See enclosed information flyer for more details. Page 36

3. Items of Interest

Regional Office Staff- The Refuge will miss three staff members; two are leaving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1995. Sam Marler will retire and will be replaced by Bill Hartwig. Sam visited the Refuge twice during his three years as Regional Director. Dr. Susan Haseltine will transfer to the National Biological Service in Virginia, March 1995. Sue was very much involved with the Refuge during her three years as Assistant Regional Director - Refuges and Wildlife. Through her tenure, the Refuge increased from 4,000 acres to 12,000 acres and two staff positions were added. Sue strongly supported the Joint Venture, the ecosystem approach, and habitat restoration efforts. The third staff member is Hayme Christiansen who died of cancer this year. Her friendly voice at the other end of the telephone was always ready to provide assistance and help solve a problem. She will be missed by all.

Olmsted Lock and Dam Project- This Corps of Engineer's project, a 2,200 foot wide structure, will replace two older lock and dam structures near Olmsted and Brookport. The $1.1 billion project is expected to take 15 years to complete. The project along the Ohio River, two miles from Cypress Creek Refuge, will have only a minimal environmental impact on the Refuge.

Tamms Prison - The Illinois Department of Corrections is constructing a maximum security prison just north of Tamms. The facility will cost an estimated $60 million. A boot camp is planned to open in 1995 and the facility will be fully operational in 1997.

Training/Assignments J. Hinkle- Files Improvement/Records Distribution Workshop, Springfield, IL

E. Jones -NEPA Training, Twin Cities MN; Midwest Environmental Education Conference, Galena IL; GIS/LIS Consortium Conference, StLouis Park MN; Heavy Equipment Certification, Illinois River Refuges; Refuge Detail, Illinois River Refuges, Refuge Evaluation, Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge

A. Novara- NEPA Training, Twin Cities MN; Level I/Pre-acquisition Contaminant Testing, Washington, D.C., Cultural Resource Training, Springfield IL; Ecosystem­ Forested Wetlands, Evansville, IN. Chemical Use Certification.

D. Prosser- Chemical Use Certification.

G. Updike- WAM-JAM meeting, Pere ~arquette State Park IL; Law Enforcement Refresher, Des Moines lA; Lower Mississippi Ecosystem Workshop, Vicksburg MS; Upper Mississippi River/Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem workshop, Winoa MN; Total Quality Management Training, Knoxville TN e· (\ v

Page 37

4. Credits

Updike- J,K; Novara- B,D,F,G; Jones- A,C,D,H,J; Hinkle- B,E,I type and assemble. Photo credit given in text with each photograph. 0

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K. FEEDBACK

Acquisition Appraisals

With personnel changes in the Division of Reality, the response to landowners requesting an offer to sell their land is taking longer. Getting appraisals completed and reviewed in a timely manner is a thing of the past. Contract appraisers appear to work at their own speed. Possibly, as contract appraisers are approved on retainer, the process will improve. Our success at acquiring 12,000 acres in less than five years has been largely due to timely appraisals and offers to landowners. IMPROVE THE APPRAISAL PROCESS.

Contaminants

The process of the Level I and II surveys in conjunction with land acquisition has been frustrating and complained about in past years. During 1994, the process did improve as contaminants personnel took a more positive approach to achieving our goal -- land acquisition. BE LESS RESTRICTIVE WITH CONTAMINANTS TESTING.

Hunting

For our acquisition program to succeed on a willing seller basis, hunting in various forms is absolutely necessary. CONTINUE HUNTING PROGRAM.

Land Acquisition Priority System List

It is frustrating to our supporters, The Nature Conservancy and the Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River, that given the Regional importance of this Refuge and our location in a priority ecosystem (Upper Mississippi River/Tallgrass Prairie), we are still number 53 on the National Land Acquisition Priority System (LAPS) list for fiscal year 1996. Apparently updated information was not incorporated into this list. Hopefully, this situation will be corrected for fiscal year 1997. UPDATE THE LAPS SYSTEM USING MOST CURRENT INFORMATION.

Chemical Disposal

Small amounts of chemicals use for Refuge operations and those found on newly acquired land are difficult to dispose of properly. A state or regional disposal site would mean less time and effort for individual stations. Possibly a regional program could be initiated to receive and dispose of chemicals. INSTITUTE STANDARD/ EFFICIENT CHEMICAL DISPOSAL PROGRAM. 0

The Cache River Wetlands · A Joint Venture Project

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

This unique area is a diverse and complex web of life that include five types of wetlands, bottomland and upland forests, and agriculture. This unique overlap of habitats create tre­ mendou·s diversity. Over 250 species of birds can ~e found within the Cache River Watershed. Naturally flooded bottomland hardwoods provide resting, nesting and feeding habitat for as many as 20,000 geese and 15,000 ducks. This "Illinois bayou" shelters over 100 state endangered and threatened species, includes three National Natural Landmarks and is designated as a wetland of international importance.

Creation of a National Wildlife Refuge

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 1990 _and will eventually encompass 35,0Qq ... acres of valuable forest and wetlands along the Cache River .JI·. · and Cypress Creek. The Refuge is part of the Joint Venture Cache River Wetlands Project-- a cooperative effort expected . to encompas~ 60,000 acres of cypress/tupelo swamps, · marshes, rocky bluffs, upland and bottomland hardwood - forests and grasslands. The current emphasis at the Refuge is reforestation, land acquisition and the construction of a wetlands education and administrative center for the Cache River Wetlands. ·

WorkingToge~er

Today, a cooperative effort is underway to preserve and restore the Cache River Wetlands. Partners in this joint effort mclude the u:s. Fish ancfWlldlife SerVice, th.e illinois Department of Conservation (IDOC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Ducks Unlimited with support from the Citizens' Committee to Save the Cache River .. This Joint Venture project aims at restoration of this hidden jewel and protection of wildlife habitat. The local economy will · receive a boost as the natural system is repaired and quality hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing and other recreational experiences emerge. 0

Public Use Activities

/ .. Cypress Creek NWR is open year round, during daylight hours. Hunting, fishing, and other recreational opportunities exist within Refuge boundaries and on TNC, and IDOC property .

.._. 1 Wildlife Observation .. Waterfowl, song birds, bobcats, turkey and deer are a few of the species found oo tho Refuge. I. Currently un-developed; please contact the Refuge office for specific site information; development

• of other public use facilities is currently underway.

Hiking Hiking and canoe trails offer the best way to experience the rich diversity of the Cache River Wetland,s. Heron Pond,_ Wildcat Bluffs, Horseshoe Lake, and a variety of other natural sites offer unique scenic opportunities outside Refuge boundaries. For additional information contact· the Refuge.·

• ~wn • Frank BeUro.re Waterfowl Reserve: Dedicated to internationally waterfowl biologist, Dr. Bellrose,1 this . 1,000 acre reserv;~ provides important habitat for wood ducks and other waterfowl.. Please call the Refuge for Jl'OUP access to this site._ (Refuge) · : ,. · · · · ·•

• Brushy Unit: This 320 ~re wetland highlights waterfowl, shorebirds, owls and a diversity o(wetlaDd species. Access into the Brushy Unit is off the Shawnee College Road; talco the first road to the south; east of Ceotwy High School. (Refuge) --- ~:... - . • ! . • Limekiln Slough TraiL· Parle off tho Cache Chapel Road, 2.5 miles east of eXit 18 off interstate 57 o0ar Ullin. Or,-­ go four miles west of Shawnee College and tum north oo Cache Chapel Road. Drive north about one mile to tbe bridge and follow signs. (TNC) ~

• Porur Botl01rl3: This lowland, wooded area highlights giant cypress and tupelo trees among the largest in tbe ata. From the four way 1top sign in Belknap, follow the blacktop north and west for 3.1 miles; at the eod of tbe bblcttop JO south on tbe pvel road for 1.1 miles. The parking lot and acceiS is to the east~ofthe road • ....:===--::-.:..-~--:::-..:.·----

Canoeing/Boat Access . Access sites along the Cache River offer the opportunity to paddle among champion cypress and tupelo. The slow and relaxed current also allows for excellent wildlife viewing.

• Tamms Cache River A..ccess: This site offers hunting, wildlife observation opportunities 8nd seasonal. CaDOOing aud bank fishing along the Cache. The parking area is offHwy 127 to the east; take the tum opposite Grapevine Trail Road in Tamms. (Refuge).

. ·~ .~. • Lower Cache River Canoe TraiL· A 3-6 mile marked canoe route wiDds through backwater slou,bs to thO State ·:·:•;' Champion bald cypress. Access is between Route 37 and Pedes; follow signs. (IDOC) '.· · · · ' i · ·. · ..

I ~· • Hunting and Fishbig Hunting and fishing is permitted in designated areas throughout the Refuge, TNC and IDOC land within the Cache River Basin. Information and maj,s showing open areas and details are available at the Refuge Office.

For More Infonnation, Contact: Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Route 1 Box 53 0 Ullin, IL 62992 (618) 634-2231

~ ·{·..

CONVENTION ON WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE ESPECIALLY AS WATERFOWL HABITAT

Ramsar Designation

• Approximately 60, 000 acres of the Cache River basin of southern Illinois was officially recognized on November 1, 1994 as an area of international importance by the CONVENTION ON WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE--ESPECIALLY AS WATERFOWL HABITAT.

• The application was"'·submitted by a joint venture partnership which includes ·the Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited. • Specific sites to receive designation diplomas include Cache River State Natural Area, . Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Horseshoe Lake State Conservation Area and Limekiln Slough Nature Preserve. • The Convention--often called the Ramsar Convention from its place of adoption in Iran in.1971~-is an intergovernmental treaty that provides for international cooperation for the conservation of ·wetland. habitats worldwide.

• The major objective of the Ramsar·Convention is to stem the loss of wetlands and to ensure their conservation.

0 The Ramsar Convention ·meets every three years and has a financial management system, a Standing Committee and a Bureau. The Standing Committee carries out the interim activities between conferences-- the U.S. served as chair from 1990-1993. The independent Ramsar Bureau, located in Gland Switzerland, works in cooperation with the World Conservation Union ( IUCN) and the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) . The Bureau provides a permanent structure for administrative, scientific and technical support. UNESCO serves as the depository for· all documentation. \ • The Convention went into effect in 1975 after the accession of its 7th country, Greece, and the. U.S. became a member in 1986 .. Currently, just over. 70 countries are members of the: Convention. -. . . • Ramsar is not an international regulatory agency, nor does it impose any restrictions or conditions that affect in any way the sovereignty of countries. There is a general obligation for member countries to include wetland conservation considerations in their natural resources planning processes, and to promote the wise use of wetlands within their territory. Wise use is understood to mean the maintenance of the ecological character of wetlands, which defines the site's functional values.

o Countries are also obliged to promote the conservation of wetlands in their territory through the establishment of nature reserves.

• One of the most important obligations for member countries is the designation,-of wetlands for inclusion· in a "List of Wetlands of International Importance." • International significance and designation ··to·. the Ramsar List is determined in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. • Inclusion of a site on the "List" does not preclude a wide array of wetland uses, so long as these are wise uses--uses that do not upset the biological, hydrological, and physical relationships critical to the functioning of the site. The Ramsar Convention defines wise use of wetlands as "their sustainable utilization for the benefit of humankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem." Sustainable utilization is the human use of a wetland so that it may yield the greatest continuous benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

• Being designated on the "List" can have considerable impact upon the conservation of the area and upon public recognition of its global importance. Of all aspects of the Convention, sites on the "List" have attracted the greatest international attention. o A total of 15 sites have been designated in the U.S. and include Everglades National Park, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and Chesapeake Bay_~stuarine Complex to name a few.

• With dedication as a Ramsar site the Cache River and Cypress. Creek wetlands area has more potential to enjoy international . notoriety, long term benefits to the local economy through "eco-tourism11 and notoriety without mandatory changes in the: way local landowners manage their land.

• DOC Director Manning has r~quested that Governor Edgar attend · · an official ceremony to celebrate the designation. DOC is awaiting a response from the Governors' Office before establishing a date for a designation ceremony. The English, or common names of birds are in Common Name S s F W habitat accordance with the American Ornithologists' Union "checklist of North American Birds" revised in 1983...... Rough-legged Hawk ...... R - R U ...... Golden Eagle ...... R - R R r,f Lines between species indicate taxonomic orders...... American Kestrel ...... U U U U f,t,h Symbols used are as follows: ...... Merlin ...... R - R R f,t Season ...... Peregrine Falcon ...... R - R X r,f,t S- Spring March - May ...... Wild Turkey ...... U U U U u,l,s,f s - Summer June - July ...... Least Bittern ...... Northern Bobwhite ...... C C C C t,f F - Fall August - November ...... Great Blue Heron ...... Virginia Rail ...... U - R - ma,t W- Winter December - February ...... Great Egret ...... Sora ...... U - U - rna,t ...... Red-bellied Woodpecker ...... Snowy Egret ...... Purple Gallinule ...... - R - - r,ma ...... Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ...... Little Blue Heron ...... Downy Woodpecker ...... Status ...... Common Moorhen ...... R - r,ma ...... Cattle Egret ...... American Coot ...... C R C U r,ma ...... Hairy Woodpecker ...... A - abundant: species is easily detected and may occur ...... Green-backed Heron ...... Black-bellied Plover ...... R - R - m ...... Northern Flicker ...... in large, conspicuous flocks...... Black-crowned Night Heron ...... Lesser Golden Plover ...... C - R - f,m ...... Pileated Wood r ...... C -common: species is easily found in proper habitat ...... Yellow-crowned ht Heron ...... Semipalmated Plover ...... U - U - m vc-;:.tu<'U Flycatcher ...... in small to large numbers...... Tundra ...... Killdeer ...... C C C U m,f,h ...... Eastern Wood-Pewee ...... U - uncommon: species is not easily detected and ...... Greater White-fronted Goose ...... GreaterYellowlegs ...... U - U - m ...... Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ...... usually occurs only in small numbers...... Snow Goose ...... Lesser Yellowlegs ...... C - C - m ...... Acadian Flycatcher ...... R - rare: species is seldom seen, but may be present in ...... Ross' Goose ...... Solitary Sandpiper ...... U - U - m,ma ...... Alder Flycatcher ...... Canada Goose ...... small numbers in appropriate habitat...... Spotted Sandpiper ...... U - U - m ...... Willow Flycatcher ...... Wood Duck ...... Least Flycatcher ...... X - accidental: species is outside typical geographic ...... Upland Sandpiper ...... R - R - f ...... Green-winged Teal ...... Semipalmated Sandpiper ...... U - U - m ...... Eastern Phoebe ...... range...... American Black Duck ...... Western Sandpiper...... R - R - m ...... Great Crested Flycatcher ...... (-)-hyphen indicates species does not occur in the ...... Mallard ...... Least Sandpiper ...... U - U - m ...... Eastern Kingbird ...... area during a particular season...... Northern Pintail ...... White-rumped Sandpiper ...... R - m ...... Horned Lark ...... Blue-winged Teal ...... Baird's Sandpiper ...... - - R - m ...... Purple Martin ...... Habitat ...... Cinnamon Teal ...... Pectoral Sandpiper ...... C - C - rn ,f ...... Tree Swallow ...... Most species are more common in certain habitats than ...... Northern Shoveler ...... Dun lin ...... U - U - rn ...... Northern Rough-winged Swallow others. Under this heading, the habitat(s) where the ...... Gadwall ...... Stilt Sandpiper ...... U - U - m ...... Bank Swallow ...... American Wigeon ...... species are primarily found are listed. When more than ...... Short-billed Dowitcher ...... U - U - m ...... Cliff Swallow ...... Canvasback ...... Barn Swallow ...... one habitat is listed, they are listed in order of ...... Long-billed Dowitcher ...... R - U - m ...... Redhead ...... Common Snipe ...... C - C U m,ma ...... Blue Jay ...... preference. Nine habitats are recognized on the list...... Ring-necked Duck ...... American Woodcock ...... C U U - t,l,u ...... American Crow ...... Greater Scaup ...... Wilson's Phalarope ...... R - R - m,ma ...... Fish Crow ...... f- farmed lands: row crops and pasture land...... Lesser Scaup ...... Laughing Gull ...... X - r ...... Carolina Chickadee ...... h- human habitations: towns, farm bu ildings...... Oidsquaw ...... Franklin's Gull ...... R - R - r,f ...... Tufted Titmouse ...... I - lowland forest bottomland ...... Common Goldeneye ...... Bonaparte's Gull ...... R - R - ...... Red-breasted Nuthatch ...... m- mudflats: muddy regions at the edges of ...... Bufflehead ...... Ring-billed Gull ...... U - U U ...... White-breasted Nuthatch ...... impoundments or ephemeral pools on low-lying ...... Hooded Merganser ...... Herring Gull ...... - R ...... Brown Creeper ...... Common Merganser ...... agricultural lands...... Caspian Tern ...... R - R - ...... Carolina Wren ...... Red-breasted Merganser ...... Common Tern ...... R - R - ...... Bewick's Wren ...... ma - marshes: cattails, reeds, or other weedy areas Duck ...... Forster's Tern ...... R - R - r ...... House Wren ...... that typically have standing water...... LeastTem ...... R R R - r, m ...... Winter Wren ...... r - river or reservoirs: includes open water on lakes or ...... Turkey Vulture ...... Black Tern ...... U R U - r ...... Sedge Wren ...... impoundments, or on large flooded fields...... Osprey ...... Rock Dove ...... C C C C f,h ...... Marsh Wren ...... s - swamp: cypress/tupelo gum woods that are ...... Mississippi Kite ...... Mourning Dove ...... C A A C t,f,h ...... Golden-crowned Kinglet ...... inundated with water for all or most of the year...... Bald Eagle ...... Black-billed Cuckoo ...... U - R - u,l,s,t, ...... Ruby-crowned Kinglet ...... t -transitional: successional habitats ranging from ...... Northern Harrier ...... Yellow-billed Cuckoo ...... C C U - u,l,s,t ...... Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ...... weedy fields to shrubby pasture land and forest ...... Sharp-shinned Hawk ...... Barn Owl ...... R R R R s,f,h ...... Eastem Bluebird ...... Cooper's Hawk ...... edge...... Eastern Screech Owl...... U U U U u,s,l ...... Veery ...... Northern Goshawk ...... f,u,l ...... Gray-cheeked Thrush ...... u - upland forest wooded hills that surround the ...... Great Horned Owl...... C C C C ...... Red-shouldered Hawk ...... Barred Owl...... C C C C s,l,u ...... Swainson's Thrush ...... floodplain of the river and its tributaries. Principal ...... Broad-winged Hawk ...... Long-eared Owl ...... R - R R U,S ...... Hermit Thrush ...... tree species are oaks and hickories...... Red-tailed Hawk ...... Short-eared Owl ...... R - R R f,t ...... Wood Thrush ...... · Common Name S s F W habitat Common Name s s FW habitat Since 1900, hydrological changes by humans have damaged much of the natural ecosystem. Attempts to drain oe ••• Amencan Robin ...... h,f,t,u I ...... Rose-breasted Grosbeak ...... c c c c c - u - u,l,s the wetlands have destroyed most of the original swamps • ...... Gray Catbird ...... •• &0 Blue Grosbeak ...... c c u X t,l,s u u R - t and eliminated much of the hab1tat for the nat1ve plants and ...... Northern Mockingbird ...... f,h,t ...... Indigo Buntmg ...... A A t f c c c c ...... c - an1mals that once characterized the region ...... Brown Thrasher ...... c c c u t,f,h ...... Dickcissel ...... c c u - f The partners 1n the Joint Venture effort are attempting to 1r ...... American P1pit ...... c - u X f,m ...... Rufous-sided Towhee ...... c c c c t,u,l ...... Sprague's Pipit ...... X - f ...... Bachman's Sparrow ...... - X . - t reverse this trend by restoring as much of the system, as is ...... Cedar Waxwing ...... c u c u l,s,u,t ...... American Tree Sparrow ...... u - u c t possible and practical, to its presettlement character, ...... Loggerhead Shrike ...... u u u u f,t ...... Chippmg Sparrow ...... c c c - h,f thereby providing areas of maximum biodiversity ...... European Starling ...... A A A A h,f,l,s,u ...... Field Sparrow ...... c c c . t Partners include: of the ...... White-eyed Vireo ...... c c u - t,l,u ...... Vesper Sparrow ...... R . R X f U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which in 1990 established ...... Solitary Vireo ...... u - u - u,l,s ...... Savannah Sparrow ...... u - u u f Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge with an authorized ...... Yellow-throated Vireo ...... c c u - l,s ...... Grasshopper Sparrow ...... u R R - f purchase boundary of 35,200 acres...... Warbling Vireo ...... - l,s ...... LeConte's Sparrow ...... f c c u u - u u The Nature Conservancy, which is establishing the ...... Philadelphia Vireo ...... u - u - u,l,s ...... Fox Sparrow ...... u - u u t ...... Red-eyed Vireo ...... c c c - u,l,s ...... Song Sparrow ...... c c c c t,ma Limekiln Springs Preserve of 2,000 acres in the Limekiln ...... Blue-winged Warbler ...... u u R - t,u ...... Lincoln's Sparrow ...... u - u X t Slough ...... Golden-winged Warbler ...... u - R - u,l,t ...... Swamp Sparrow ...... c - c c t,ma Illinois Department of Conservation, whose manage­ ...... Tennessee Warbler ...... c - c - u,l,t ...... White-throated Sparrow ...... c - c A t,u,l ment authority includes the Cache River State Natural ...... Orange-crowned Warbler ...... u - u - t,u,l ...... White-crowned Sparrow ...... u - u u t Area, including Heron Pond, Wildcat Bluff, Section 8 ...... Nashville Warbler ...... c - c - u,l,t ...... Dark-eyed Junco ...... c - A A t Woods Nature Preserve, and portions of Buttonland ...... Northern Parula ...... c c u - l,s,u ...... Lapland Longspur ...... u - u u f Swamp, totaling 8,214 acres...... Yellow Warbler ...... c c u - t ...... Smith's Longspur ...... R - - - r Ducks Unlimited, which has established a 1 ,000-acre ...... Chestnut-sided Warbler ...... - u,l,t ...... Bobolink ...... R f c c - u - complex of wetlands and waterfowl sanctuary ...... Magnolia Warbler ...... u - c - u,l,t ...... Red-winged Blackbird ...... A A A A ma,t,f ...... Cape May Warbler ...... IU - R - u,l,t ...... Eastern Meadowlark ...... c c c c f ...... Yellow-rumped Warbler ...... c - c u u,l,s,t ...... We stem Meadowlark ...... X - -- f ...... Black-throated Green Warbler ...... c - c - u,l,s ...... Rusty Blackbird ...... u - u u l,u,f Notes ...... Blackburman Warbler ...... u - u - u,l ...... Common Grackle ...... A A A A f,t,h ...... Yellow-throated Warbler ...... c c u - s,l,u ...... Brown-headed Cowbird ...... A A A c f,u,l,s,t ...... Pine Warbler ...... R R R - u ...... Orchard Oriole ...... c c R - t Dat~ ______No. Species..... ___ ...... Prairie Warbler ...... u u R - t ...... Northern Oriole ...... c c R - l,u,s Time Afield ______...... Palm Warbler ...... c - c - t,l,u,s ...... Purple Finch ...... c - c c l,u,s and ...... Bay-breasted Warbler ...... u - u - u,l ...... House Finch ...... c c c c h,f,t Observers______...... Black poll Warbler ...... c - R - u,l ...... Pine Siskin ...... u - u u u,l,s,t ...... Cerulean Warbler ...... u u R - I, u.s ...... American Goldfinch ...... c c c c t,l,s,u,f ...... Black-and-white Warbler ...... c R c - u,l ...... Evening Grosbeak ...... R - R R u.l,h Weathe.______Surrounding ...... Amencan Redstart ...... c c c - l,s,u ...... House Sparrow ...... c c c c h.f.t ...... Prothonotary Warbler ...... Remarks c c u - s,l The Cache River Wetlands Project is a cooperative . ... Worm-eatmg Warbler ...... R u ------u u - effort between governmental agencies, organizations and ...... Swainson's Warbler ...... R R l,s Area ...... Ovenbird ...... c u c - u,l individuals to preserve and restore wetlands of southern ...... Northern Waterthrush ...... c c - l,s Illinois. The project is an important component of the North ...... Louisiana Waterthrush ...... c c u - u,l,s American Waterfowl Management Plan and its Lower Refuge Manager, Cypress Creek NWR ...... Kentucky Warbler ...... c c u - l,u Mississippi Valley Joint Venture . Rt. 1, Box 530 Ullin, Illinois 62992 ...... Connecticut Warbler ...... R - A - t,u,l In its pristine state, the Cache River was 110 miles long (618) 634-2231 conservancy ...... Mourning Warbler ...... u - R - t,u,l and its watershed covered 478,000 acres and represented ...... Common Yellowthroat ...... c c u X ma,t,f one of the finest wetlands systems in the Midwest. The ...... Hooded Warbler ...... u u R - l,u river, including its associated forested swamps, shrubby ...... W1lson's Warbler ...... l,s,u u u scatters, and open ponds, was and is famous for its .. Canada Warbler ...... u - u - u l,t ...... Yellow-breasted Chat ... ······ ...... c c u - t abundant wildlife and f1shery values. Historically, vast ...... Summer Tanager ...... c c u - t tracts of naturally flooded bottomland hardwoods provided ~ ...... Scarlet Tanager ...... c c u - ul resting, nesting, and feeding habitat for migrating water- June 1993 DUCKS -" ...... Northern Cardinal ...... c c c c t.u,l,h fowl and a wide vanety of resident Wildlife. tt US GOVER MEN" PAINTING OFFICE. 1993-759-259 UNLIMITED Cac

Cache River Wetlands- Ullin, Illinois October, 1994 Cache River Wetlands project joint partnership . . The Cache River Wetlands The Illinois Department of Con­ local residents from throughout In addition to holding land, the covered with oak, hickory and Project is a joint venture effort servation has several holdings the watershed. joint venture partners are ac­ other native trees. Cypress has involving four agencies working within the Cache River Wetlands Once the owner of over 1 ,000 tively involved in restoring been planted in old sloughs, together to protect and restore comprising about 23,000 acres­ acres in the core of the project· cleared back into native habitat. which are again being filled with 60,000-acre 50-mile wet­ primarily the Cache River State area, Ducks Unlimited no longer Over 2,500 acres of bottomland water. Large moist soil units corridor along the lower Natural Area. and Horseshoe owns land in the project but re­ hardwoods have been planted (marshes) have been estab­ River. Their mission is to Lake and Mermet Lake State mains a strong supporter. on project lands which were once lished to support migratory wa­ nrli''\VIrl"' largely self-sustaining Conservation Areas. IDOC's terfowl. >it:Its for all its native plants mosf popurar sites include ca­ With a little help from man, the an animals, while encouraging noeing the lower Cache River Cache River Wetlands are well envt nmentally SOUJ)d economic swamp, south of Perks, and hik­ Planning committee identifies on their way to reestablishing an gro ing the boardwalk at Heron Pond, equitable and sustainable bal­ The joint venture partner~hip the "crown jewel" of the project watershed resource pr~blems ance between man and nature. involve·s a combination of fed-" near Belknap, where their office The Cache River Watershed "So the Cache is a natural eral, state and privat~ ag'~ncies, is located. has drawn a lot of national atten­ place to focus federal dollars on each with its own hofdfngs (see The Nature Conservancy tion in recent years because its ways to improve water quality," map). The newest partner is owns 1,500 acres along the Conservation notes Charlie Proctor. a Pulaski Cypress Creek National Wildlife unique wetlands are located right Cache south of Perks in its ·County farmer who is a member Refuge, established the U.S. in the midst of a typical Midwest­ Cats again help by Limekiln Springs Preserve and of the Cache River Watershed Fish & Wildlife Service in 1990. shares offices with Cypress em agricultural landscape. The Resource Planning Committee. Since that time, Cypress Creek Creek NWR at Shawnee Col­ erosion and pollutants that ema­ at wetlands Funded with a$124,000 EPA has. purchased over '11,000 acres lege. In addition to assisting nate from area farms and towns The Carbondale Conservation grant and co-sponsored by the of land (all from willing sellers) , don't end up in the GuH of Mexico; Cats have once again provided project partners with restoration, Soil Conservation Service and acquiring one-third of its 35,000 they firstfilterthrough the Cache assistance to the Cache Wet­ the Conservancy is co-sponsor­ The Nature Conservancy, the acre purchase boundary in only River Wetlands, causing sedi­ lands Joint Venture partners. The ing, along with the Soil Conser­ Planning Committee has been vation Service, a watershed re­ mentation and habitat problems Conservation Cats, a to.ur. years. Cypress Creek's of­ meeting monthly since last No­ source planning initiative involv­ which threaten to eventually kill hardworking group of young con­ fice is adjacenttQ Shawnee Col­ vember to understand the lege. ing a planning committee of 22 the swamps. servationists from Lincoln Junior watershed's resource problems High School, have provided la­ and develop solutions to them. bor and land acquisition funding Appointed by their local SWCD to the project over a period of boards, its 22 members repre­ several years. Resource center established in 1992 sent all five counties in the wa­ Advised by Kevin Garthe, sci­ tershed-Alexander, Pulaski, ence teacher at Lincoln, the Con­ Johnson, Union and Massac. servation Cats began planting contains books, maps and much more In addition to its monthly meet­ trees on the project adjacent to ings, the Committee has taken . Would ~u Jil(e to learn about were provided by The Natural nated several bird books, videos the Section 8 Nature Preserve. three haH-day field trips in the the Gache River area? Visit the Land Institute and local individu­ and cassettes. According to Tim Vogt, ecologist watershed to identify the 10 re­ Cache River Wetlands Resource als. Dr. Stanley Harris, Professor for The Nature Conservancy, this source concerns it is address­ Center! EstabliShed in 1992, the Or. Alan Woolf, Director of Emeritus, Southern Illinois Uni­ work "accelerates succession ing : erosion; open dumping; pri­ Ceflter'scollectioncontaif'lstho\J- Southern Illinois University's versity, has recently contributed and creates a buffer for this vate property rights; surface and sands of bOoks, maps, files, pe- Cooperative Wildlife Research back issues of scientific journals unique natural resource." ground water quality; continued riod.icals, photograpHs, Slides Laboratory, also donated sev­ pertinent to our restoration work. Not content to just plant trees, government supportforfarmcon­ and-other items bf eniJ;ronm~n.- . eral years of The Journal of Wild­ New books and materials, in­ for the last two years the Cats servation programs; drainage; tal and historical inte(est: · -life Management. Wildlife Socj- cluding educational videos and have been raising money with a erosion and water quality in the Microfilm copies of the origi-, ety Bulletin, Wildlife Mono­ other teaching tools available to "Walk for Wildlife," at Bell Smith Post Creek Cutoff; maintaining nat Jlltnois Public L.:and ~ryey_ graphs, and dozens of reprint teachers and other interested Springs. The result has been good drainage on the Cache; notes-can be viewed at the Ceo- · articles. The Southern Illinois persons, are now being added over $3,500 in contributions by t!le Cypress Creek National lack of accurate. timely and bal­ ter. Most ofthe originar m~ter1al~ • Au~ubon Society recently do- which have been used for land ... at "' Wildlife Refuge staff and The anced information; and the ef­ '· .. I fects of farming on wildlife and acquisition of Eagle Pond and a Nature Conservancy. nearby parcel in Buttonland Mary Dresser was .hired as vice-versa. Sixth annual.acorn collection Swamp. resource center assistant in "The Planning Committee is The Conservation Cats also already moving on some of the January 1993. She has contin­ have an aggressive recycling on-calendar for · Oct. 29-30 ued organizing the special concerns, such as continued program which they are teach­ project files which cover the government support," notes Th.e ~ature Conservancy is Saturday night. Patches will be ing other schools to use. With a Cache River Wetlar ds, Shaw­ Proctor. "For some of the more planning.the Sixth Annual acorn provided courtesy of The Nature history of success in recycling, nee National Forer.t and eco­ complex problems, like erosion, collection event tor OCt. 29 and Conservancy. T-shirts will be land protection, and stewardship, logical inventories. we're being supported by a 15- 30. Last year over 800 acres of available for sale at the main the Carbondale Conservation The collection is in the pro­ person Technical Committee in­ hardwoods were planted on the campground and the main col­ Cats is a strong addition to the cess of being catalogued and volving experts from a number Cache Wetlands Joint Venture. lection site in Section 11 woods. wetlands team. Much of that seed was provided Technical assistance will be pro­ referenced. Eventually all publi­ of agencies such as SCS and by Egyptian Council. Plans in­ vided by the US Fish & Wildlife cations, special project files. SIU." clude reforestation of at least Service. maps and slides will be com­ The job of the Technical Com­ 15,000 more acres in the Cache Leaf blowers make collection puter-accessible by author, title mittee is to present a range of Water quality watershed. much faster and easier. Good and subject. Although there is potential solutions for each con­ monitoring planned Camping will be provided by seed is solid and cool to the no loaning policy at this time, cern to the Planning Committee the Illinois Department of Con­ touch. Bad seed is light and of­ researchers of the Cache River which will then evaluate the loca The Nature Conservancy will servation at the main camp­ ten has worm holes. Cut a few Watershed area and the general viability of these solutions an< be implementing a water quality ground at Horseshoe Lake State from each tree open to check for public are welcome to visit and develop a final resource plan by monitoring program this year. Conservation Area. Portapotties insect damage. Store seed in use the resource center. mid-1995. This will be followed Monitoring will reflect improve­ will be located at all major collec­ heavy plastic bags in a cool The Cache River Wetlands by an implementation phase ments of water quality subse­ tion areas and the campsite. shaded spot. Units unable to Resource Center is located in which will stretch into the late quent to reclamation and refor­ Signs will direct visitors to the come to the main event are wel­ the joint offices of the Cypress 1990s. estation within the Cache River Creek National Wildlife Refuge If the process continues to - main campground, but those who come to collect in other areas. watershed. Of specific interest want to go directly to the collec­ If you need more information and The Nature Conservancy work as well as it has for the last will be sediment and nutrient lev­ tion site on Rt. 3 that has been or have suggestons on how to on the rustic campus of Shaw­ year, EPA hopes to use the els associated with agricultural used in previous years are wel- improve the event, please call nee Community College. Hours Cache watershed as a model for drainage. Ecosystem restoration come to do so. . The Nature Conservancy at 618- are Monday- Friday, 7:30 a.m. other agriculture watersheds should dramatically reduce these A program will be presented 634-2524. to 3:30p.m., 618-634-2524. nationwide. pollution inputs.

.. .. . Wide range of vandalism a continuing concern The Cache River State Natu­ may have questions or informa­ ral Area, Cypress Creek National tion. Wildlife Refuge and The Nature The Committee will sponsor Conservancy have been experi- individual rewards equal to the ...., encing a wide range of vandal­ total monetary fines collected per ism on the Cache River Wet­ incident up to, but not exceeding lands Project Area. $500 for each incident. Funding This vandalism includes the of the rewards will terminate Dec. shooting and damaging of signs 31, 1994, after which a renewed and posts, defacement graffiti, or different committment may be brelk of plexiglass at informa­ in order. Employees of IDOC, tion bulletin boards and illegal Cypress Creek, TNC, State and trash disposal. It is difficult to County Law Enforcement per­ catch Individuals car~ing out sonnel shall be excluded from Bald eagle-one of the rare species now making a comeback An eagle nest on .tne hese illegal activities. There­ the rewards. along the cache. (Photo by E. B. Trovlllion) Bell rose Reserve--although fore, the Citizens Committee to The Committee suggests that no brood was produced this Save the Cache River, has de­ any and all persons found guilty year, the eagle pair Is expected veloped the idea of ·~aving a of the said damges or destruc­ back next year; this was the REWARD Poster, and have of­ tion be fined to the limits first mating attempt along fered to pay the reward for infor- permissable by law. Also, that in cache for many years. ...- mation leading to the arrest and addition to the maximum fines, conviction of persons who wilfully the estimated costs of materials and intentionally damage or de­ and labor as result of such dam­ stroy the property of the Cache age be collected from the guilty River Wetland Project. party. Citizens Committee member, Jim Waycuilis, Site Superin­ Anice Corzine stated: "The Citi­ tendent, of Cache River State zens Committee has a consis­ Natural Area, stated that cost tent record of supporting sports­ estimates of damages, range man and hunter activities in this from $500-$750 The total costs area. The Committee denounces add up quickly when you con any and all destructive activities siderthat signs cost $2.50-$18, and is outraged at the damages. sign posts $4, plexiglass $25 - Law abiding citizens are having $50 and you must include the a hard enough time keeping the cost of staff labor to replace or ANTI-GUN advocates off their 1epair these damages backs, without this sort of waste­ Hopefully, the reward poster ful and shameful activity. This will reduce the amount of waste­ waste and destruction will cost ful, costly, and senseless van­ Researchers looking tor Invertebrates--a major part of the you and I (taxpayers) more in the dalism. duck diet In the Cache wetlands Is small animals, such a end to cover these costs, so be­ Individuals can report any vio · crayfish, snails and beetles, that live In the shallow water. come actively involved and re­ lations to the Illinois Department (Photo by M. Hutchison) port violators." of Conservation by calling the The following actions are of­ toll-free Tip line 1-800-252-0163 fered as guidelines by the Program Information can be SIU Intern. Nat Betmoht. CCTSCR: obtained from Cache River State studying cane on the Cache-­ That help from the private sec­ Natural Area, 618-634-9678: researchers have identified tor be utilized by offering re­ Cypress Creek National Wildlife canebrakes as critical h~bttat wards to individuals who come Refuge, 618-634-2231 ; and The for certain birdS or he rare forth with information leading to Nature Conservancy, 618-634- golden mouse, and for the un­ the arrest and conviction of per­ 2524. common swamp rabbit. sons who wiiHully and intention­ ally damage or destroy property. Taking advantage of human na­ ture might prove most helpful. The Committee will sponsor the necessary reward monies and that IDO~ will be the contact agency for the private sectorwho

Christmas Protection efforts on a levee bordering Cypress Creek .D.I1c.h-where gullies have eroded Into deep ditches and de­ bird count stroyed sections of stream banks, special protection is needed slated Dec. 21 to stabilize the sites; here, concrete blocks specially shaped to Interlock are placed over permeable plastic sheets. One, two, three ... Join us for (Photo by M. Hutchison) this year's Christmas Bird Count! Last year was Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge's first official Christmas bird count. Held on Dec. 21, 74,413 individual birds of 92 different species of birds were seen, including short­ eared owls, barn owls, and black Dave Hyatt, SIU Intern, vultures. Other notable obser­ studying Invertebrates In the vations included woodcock and Bellrose Unit of the Cache blue-winged teal, rarely seen Wetlands project. here in December. This year's count is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 21. You don't need to be an expert bird watcher to participate. Novice volunteers will be teamed up with more experienced birders and canoeing down the Cache­ assigned an area to look for birds. ·thls Is the Ideal mode oftrans­ For more information, or to sign portatlon In the river and up for this year's count, contact swamps, both for researcher VIew of spring In Hogan Bottoms--after restoration with a Cypress Creek National Wildlife and visitors. Refuge at 634-2231. track hoe, this spring was more than 15 feet deep. FWS dozer developing a moist soli unit In a wetland that had been cleared for agriculture. (Photo by M. Hutchison}

Tree glaoter ready to go-­ this rig Is used to mechanl· cally plant seedlings, mainly oaks and hickories, and put forests back on the old eroded fields along the Cache. (Photo by M. Hutchison)

Canoeists yiew the state champion cygress tree--the Temporary employees who helped at the Cache Wetlands Department of Conservation has developed a canoe ac­ Project this past summer--from left to right are: Don Fry, cess and marked trail through the Scatters near Perks. Shenetra Price, Gene Bierman, Paul Sheible, Melissa Carr and (Photo by E. B. Trovlllion) :Steve Hinkle.

Managing habitat for waterfowl--moist soli units are sea­ sonally flooded to provide food and resting areas for tens of thousands of ducks at the Cache. Land acquisition, reforestation among AI Novara. biologist with the EWS. checking growth of many changes now taking place glanted pin oak tree--plastic tubes are used to shelter With four agencies cooperat­ same height. young seedlings from preda· ing in the long-term efforts to Wetland Restoration. Several tlon by deer and rodents. restore over 35,000 acres of land, large eroding gullies have been (Photo by M. Hutchison) and planning to buy an addi­ stabilized with dams where they A stoplog structure at the BellroseReserve--small dams tional 25,000 acres, many enter Cypress Creek Ditch, and that can adjust water levels are used to manage moist soli changes are taking place at the with the winter rains, this will units for waterfowl. (Photo by M. Hutchison) Cache River Wetlands. result in the reclamation of doz­ Land Acquisition. 2,300 acres ens of acres of wetlands east of were purchased last year, the Perks. Further to the east, a largest parcel being an 800-acre stoplog structure installed along tract bought from Westvaco in the abandoned Cypress Creek the Cache River State Natural Slough will transform 40 acres Area. back into a wetland after 40 years Reforestation. The large of farming. This slough was "grown over" fields seen around planted to cypress three years the Cache are more than just ago. weeds. 800 acres have been Trails. A new one-mile trail planted, mostly to bottomland was built last fall into the lower hardwoods. This amounts to Cache swamp. It heads east for 2,500 acres since 1990. Both a half-mile from the canoe ac­ manual planting of seedlings cess southeast of Perks and then (some by prison crews) and follows a levee from a half-mile mechanized direct seeding are directly into the swamp. In addi­ being used. Some seedlings are tion, Eagle Pond, a spectacular covered with tall, brown, biode­ 20-acre cypress pond, has been gradable tubes-called tree shel­ purchased and opened to the ters-which speed up tree growth public via a loop extension of the by focusing light and heat and existing lower Cache Swamp EWS technician. Dave protecting seedlings from deer canoe trail. prosser. placing a tree shelter and rodents. Trees in shelters Although the changes may not over a seedling--the plastic typically grow above the weeds all be obvious to one driving tubes help protect the small FWS technician. Dave Prosser. releasing a wild turkey In a within two years, whereas through the area, the coopera­ trees from predators and also wild part of the Cache--efforts are made to re-establish native unsheltered seedlings may take tive efforts of all concerned are species where they once occurred. (Photo by M. Hutchison) encourage faster growth. three to five years to reach the making a real difference. tate atural area c The Cache River State Natu­ contains 7,425 acres and lies 3 ral Area in Southern Illinois miles south of Vienna, Ill., and contains 10,430 acres. The site north of Belknap, Ill., between Cache River is state-owned and managed by state Route 37 and U.S. Route Wetlands Project the Illinois Department of Con­ 45. servation, DOC. Little Black Slough has ap­ The natural area is composed proximately 4,825 acres open to of two management units alon9 hunting and 2,600 acres that are the Cache River in Johnson and dedicated nature preserves. Pulaski counties at the southern Dedicated nature preserves are tip of llfinois. restricted areas that are closed The management units are the to hunting. Little Black Slough (upper Cache There are four hunter access River) and the Lower Cache areas at Little Black Slough: the River areas. Marshall Ridge Access, North The Little Black Slough unit Cypress Access, Belknap Ac­ cess and the Forman Access. The Belknap and Forman ac­ cess areas are located along the Belknap Road, west and east of Signs posted the Cache River bridge, between U.S. Route 45 and Belknap. at agency The hunter access areas pro­ vide a gravel parking area, with properties are a hunter registration box and £J • ewr- CftoiL N W R sometimes confusing information. All hunters are re­ quired to sign in and out at hunter Signs posted at the various registration boxes provided at • agency properties can some­ the access areas--and to report times be confusing. Each man­ their harvest by species. aging agency has its own type, The Heron Pond and Wildcat style and wording. Each kind has Bluff parking areas should not a specific purpose. Some are for beusedforhunteraccess,IDOC Route 169 and a half a mile to information; some are restrictive. reports. They are access areas 1.5 miles north of Karnak, Ill. A lot of the small signs one sees into dedicated nature preserves ' The East Karnak access is scattered in the fields and woods and no hunting is permitted. located about a mile east of Workers stayed busy during at various places along the Hunters cannot cross a ~edi- Karnak adjacent to the Formant Cache are boundary markers. cated nature preserve w1th a Post Creek diversion channel summer with variety of projects For example, the Fish and Wild· weapon for any purpose. and north of Route 169. life Service boundaries are The Lower Cache River unit The Cache River State Natu- posted with their standard prop­ consists of approximately 3,005 ral Area 1s primarily known for done on the Cache Wetlands erty boundary signs showing a acres. The s_ite is located along squirrel, deer and duck hunting PERSONNEL: cal duties for both the Refuge flying goose. At most of the state. the Cache R1vereast of ~amak, opportunities. Fair opportunities If you find yourself looking (o( and The Nature Conservancy. FWS, andconservancysites, the Ill., to the Massac/Pulaskl county also exist for rabbit, quail, dove, something to do this year, you Melissa will be a sophomore at signs are clear and understand· line, and west to the Cache River woodcock, raccoon and turkey may want to consider going down Shawnee Community College able. Those places where use is bridge south of Perks in Johnson hunting. to the Cache River Wetlands this year restricted, such as at the state and Pulaski counties. Regulations for all huntable project as a volunteer. Staff at YCC PROGRAM: nature preserves, special signs The Lower Cache River area species coincide with Illinois the joint venture partner office The YCC (Youth Conserva­ are posted indicating such. Signs has approximately 2,600 acres season dates, hours and limits, was increased this year to ac­ tion Corps) program, which was with wording such as "No Dump­ open to hunting and 400 acres except that the Lower Cache commodate the expanded land Initiated in 1993, selected by ran­ ing" and "No Vehicles" are usu­ closed to hunting. River area is closed to all turkey base acreage increases. At Cy­ dom draw two area students to ally clear enough, but if you have The Lower Cache River area hunting. press Creek National Wildlife work at the Refuge. The pro­ any questions about special has four constructed hunter ac- For maps and additional in­ Refuge the permanent staff of gram lasted eight weeks from uses, please contact the joint cess areas, east and west of formation, contact the Site Su­ four people was augmented with June 12 to Aug. 5. The two en­ venture office at Shawnee Col­ Karnak. The Big Cypress, perintendent, Cache River State temporary hires for the summer rollees employed at the begin­ lege. By far, the most of the Flatwoods and West Karnak ac- Natural Area, Route 2, Box 2, season including a tractor op­ ning of 1his summer were Carlin public property within the project cess areas are located along a Belknap, Ill. 62908 or call 618- erator, two maintenance men, Box and Shanetra Price, both of is open for public use. gravel road half a mile west of 634-9678. and a vee coordinator. The Cairo High School. Carlin Box Nature Conservancy also hired received late notification of his two additional summer mainte­ selection to the program at SIU nance personnel which brought and withdrew after two weeks their staff total to nine for the work. The second alternate, Conservancy does spring cleaning su'mmer. Steve Hinkle, completed the By Dave Magin I TNC INTERN PROGRAM: summer work period. The as­ The Nature Con rvancy Five Southern Illinois Univer­ signed wor1< consisted of locat­ Historically, springs were sity students participated in the ing and posting Refuge property rather common in Southern Illi­ intern program this year. They lines and reforestation mainte­ nois. As man changed the land­ studied and made management nance. During inclement scape, many springs dried up reports on such things as aquat1c weather, barn cleaning, vehicle due to watershed degradation. invertebrates, cane restoration, clean~ng and general mainte­ Others were tiled or deliberately a raptor census, spring restora~ nance on equipment was per­ filled in because they were a tion and inventoring the rare and formed The vee enrollees were hindrance to agriculture. Thus, endangered species of the area. able to observe significant num­ many springs essentially disap­ All of these were extremely pro­ bers of endangered and threat­ peared. ductive and provided manage4 ened wildlife species. Bald The Nature Conservancy is ment information that was uniquet ~agles, bobcats, great homed actively searching for springs In to the Cache Wetlands area. Thet owls, great blue herons, egrets order to restore them to their Nature Conservancy and Citi­ and various hawks and snakes original hydrologic character. zens Committee to Save thet were seen. A total of 616 paid Both the US Fish & Wildlife Ser­ Cache River provided the finan­ manhours resulted in over 200 vice and The Nature Conser­ cial backing for these projects. new boundary signs placed on vancy have removed silt from JTPA PROGRAM AT CY­ approximately 22 314 miles of TNC employees. Haden and Salvador Bartolo. remov­ springs with backhoes, or in very Terry PRESS CREEK REFUGE: boundary, 120 acres of timer Ing slit to restore a spring near Llmekln Slough--springs are sensitive areas, with shovels. This year Cypress Creek Ref­ stand improvement. and litter rapidly being filled with slit and debris, so that many now have Tiles have been broken in order uge participated in the J.T.P.A. pickup. Lunches were usually little flow to provide fresh cool water for the swamps. to return the clear, cold spring Summer Youth Program spon­ eaten in the nearest field or un­ (Photo by D. Maglnel) water to the surface, thereby pro­ sored by the Shawnee Develop­ der a big tree, and the summer viding habitat for the long-forgot­ once occupied these sites. one of the ways that The Nature ment Council. Melissa Carr work session provided many ten aquatic communities with Protecting and restoring our Conservancy is working to pro­ worked at the Refuge from June enjoyable moments for the en­ special plants and animals that natural spring resources Is just tect your water quality. 16 to Aug. 12 assisting with cleri- rollees.