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19031 East County Road 2110N E-mail: IllinoisRiver@fws.gov |
Cameron/Billsbach Unit
The Cameron-Billsbach Unit is 1,708 acres in size and is located in Marshall County, between Sparland and Henry, Illinois. The Unit is bisected by the Illinois River creating two separate areas - Cameron Unit and Billsbach Unit. They extend from river mile 192 to 195 and are 64 miles upriver from the refuge headquarters. The purpose of the unit is to serve as an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Sparland Conservation Area is adjacent to the south boundary of the Cameron Unit whereas their Duck Ranch Area is adjacent to the north boundary of the Billsbach Unit.
The 636-acre Cameron Unit is located on the west side of the Illinois River and is composed of bottomland forest, old fields, and backwater habitat (Weis and Meridian Lakes). The late Judge Glen J. Cameron of Pekin, Illinois, donated the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on May 17, 1958.
The 1,072 acre Billsbach Unit is located on the east side of the Illinois River and joins the center portion of Billsbach Lake. The Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy purchased the land from the Armour Club and then sold the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on December 21, 1981 for $30,000. The most prominent feature of the unit is Billsbach Lake.
