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Meredosia
National Wildlife Refuge

Canada goose on water
2219 Beach Road
Meredosia, IL   
E-mail: meredosia@fws.gov
Phone Number: 309-535-2290
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/meredosia/		 Waterfowl such as Canada geese use wetlands on Meredosia Refuge during fall migration.
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  Overview
Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge is located along the east side of the Illinois River in Cass and Morgan counties, about 50 miles west of Springfield, IL. It is positioned in the upper end of the Alton navigation pool in an area that was historically known for its ability to sustain fish and wildlife.

Land management programs improve migratory bird, fish, and resident wildlife habitat in the Illinois River basin, while providing increased public recreation and educational opportunities. The refuge includes a combination of backwater lake, bottomland forest, upland forest, prairie, seasonal wetland, and permanent marsh habitat. As a functioning floodplain wetland complex, the refuge plays a vital role in perpetuating biological diversity in the Illinois River basin.

Meredosia Refuge consists of 3,582 acres. The refuge is part of the Illinois River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with headquarters at Chautauqua Refuge, in Havana, Illinois.


Getting There . . .
Meredosia Refuge is located immediately north of the Village of Meredosia, Illinois, along the Illinois River in Cass and Morgan counties. From IL 104W, follow Putman Street north through Meredosia to Beach Road. From IL 67S, take Kochs Lane west to Beach Road. Visitor information is located on the west side of Beach Road.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

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NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

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Wildlife and Habitat

The refuge provides managed habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds and other wildlife on 10 small wetlands totaling 140 acres on Meredosia Island.

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History
Much of what is now Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge was previously owned and managed by the Chicago Meredosia Gun Club.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Fishing
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
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Management Activities
Meredosia Refuge is managed to provide habitat required to meet the needs of waterfowl, other migratory birds, and resident wildlife, as well as native plant communities and aquatic organisms. The refuge protects habitat for nesting and wintering bald eagles, as well as protecting populations of threatened decurrent false aster.

Refuge staff drains water from shallow wetlands in late June or early July to provide shorebird and wading bird habitat, as well as to stimulate plant growth. The plants produce seeds and tubers for waterfowl and other wildlife.