Sample Refuge Descriptions
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge Description Visitors come for many reasons: some with classmates, some with parents, others with neighbors and some come alone. They come to explore and learn; they come to fish and hunt; they come to hike, paddle or to just sit and watch. What they all have in common is their interest to visit Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge in southernmost Illinois. The Refuge is part of a national system of lands and waters that provides a lifeline for millions of migratory birds and other wildlife. It includes rolling hills, bottomland forests, rivers, cypress swamps, and a diversity of wild places to enjoy. The 16,000-acre Refuge is located in southern Illinois approximately 7 miles north of the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The Refuge is located within the internationally significant Cache River watershed. While making up only 1.5 percent of the land area in Illinois, the Cache basin harbors 11.5 percent of the State’s high-quality floodplain forests, and 91 percent of the State’s high-quality swamp/wetland communities. The area provides many outdoor opportunities to hunt, fish, hike, canoe, and watch wildlife. Resource staff also offer guided tours and special events. Cache River Nature Fest, canoe tours of the old Cache Channel, hikes at Limekiln Springs or birding outings at Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve are just a few possibilities to explore the Refuge. Area Economy Cypress Creek NWR is located in southern Illinois. Table 3-16 shows the area economy. The area population increased by 2 percent from 2001 to 2011, compared with a 3 percent increase for Illinois and a 9 percent increase for the U.S. as a whole. Area employment increased by 2 percent from 2001 to 2011, with Illinois showing no change and the U.S. a 6 percent increase. Area per capita income increased by 14 percent over the 2001-2011 period, while Illinois and the U.S. increased by 4 and 5 percent respectively.
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