|
Phone: 618-634-2231 E-mail: CypressCreek@fws.gov |
The Conservation Plan
The Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Refuge strives to protect the natural habitats and wildlife while providing a place for people to enjoy. Many people, from local businesses to farms, from area schools to rural communities, from special interest groups to government agencies helped create the plan for the future of Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The plan serves as a management tool to be used by Refuge staff and partners over the next 15 years. Six goals were established to guide conservation activities, funding, and implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan. They are described below:
Resource Protection
We provide a safe haven for threatened and endangered species, a reserve for migrant and resident wildlife, and an archive for historic landscapes and archeological sites. Significant resources of the refuge will continue to be protected through on-going land acquisition, baseline environmental studies and monitoring.
Habitat Restoration
Extensive forests, lush wetlands, springs and healthy swamps are features that will be restored to the natural landscape of the Refuge as a place rich with wildlife, natural communities and opportunities for people to enjoy.
Resource Management
Through active management a rural area with diverse development will include a healthy balance of farms, forests, bottomlands and associated wildlife. Management within programs - will enhance the Refuge and allow people to continue to hunt, fish, observe wildlife and find areas of isolation within Illinois' bayou.
Dynamic Partnering
Partners (citizens, agencies, nonprofit and for profit organizations, schools, and communities) form the foundation and the building blocks of the Refuge. This cooperative approach will be extended to new partners to combine resources and create a powerful network of people who will contribute to the Refuge's success.
Environmental Education
First-hand experiences in the Cache and interdisciplinary activities are provided to foster in students ecological awareness, knowledge and responsible action. Once open the Cache River Wetlands Center will be a starting point for many of these experiences and visitor programs.
Wildlife-Dependent Recreation & Interpretation
Opportunities that offer a close-up view of a 1,500 year old bald cypress, the yellow flash of prothonotary warblers, or a glimpse of an otter provide memorable experiences. Activities and facilities are available to help people observe and photograph wildlife, hike, hunt, fish and experience the Cache River wetlands first-hand.
