IDNR ANNOUNCES OPENING OF CACHE RIVER VISITORS CENTER

Visitors to Learn About Wetlands

Belknap—The Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River State Natural Area Wetlands Visitor’s Center is now open on a limited schedule.  The 7,500 square foot facility will provide resources to educate the public about the Cache River Wetlands, an internationally significant resource.  The $4 million state-of-the-art facility is expected to attract thousands of tourists to Johnson County and the surrounding region.

            “We are thrilled to be able to welcome visitors from around Illinois,” said IDNR Director Joel Brunsvold. “Cache River Natural Area is one our greatest natural resources in the state. This center fosters an appreciation for wetlands through interactive experiences.”

            The center includes a wildlife viewing area overlooking a wetland, a 2,000 square foot exhibit area, and an audiovisual room.  Another feature is a handicapped-accessible hiking trail that is 2,600 feet long, and includes a wildlife-viewing mound overlooking the restored wetland of cypress creek.

            Cache River State Natural Area is one of just 17 sites in the United States designated a Wetland of International Importance, or “Ramsar Site.”  It offers a wide diversity of habitats, including wetlands, upland forests and limestone barrens.  The area contains one hundred threatened and endangered species.

            “Cache River State Natural Area is a great example of the IDNR accomplishing its mission,” said Brunsvold. “There is a true stewardship of natural resources.”

            In addition to protecting endangered, threatened and rare plants and animals, the 14,247-acre site attracts a host of outdoor enthusiasts.  Activities popular at Cache River State Natural Area include hiking, canoeing, bird watching, nature viewing, fishing, and hunting.

            The opening of the visitor center is complemented by completion of the Tunnel Hill State Bicycle Trail, which is 45 miles to Harrisburg. 

Specific site features include:

·        21 miles of designated foot trails, ranging from 250-feet to 5.5 miles long.

·        1000-year-old bald Cypress tree, with a buttress circumference of over 40 feet.

·        Canoe trail through a true cypress-tupelo swamp.

·        Floating boardwalk into Heron Pond-cypress swamp.

·        Rare aquatic species, such as green tree frog, bird-voiced tree frog, cypress minnow and gar.

·        Mammals, such as foxes, squirrels, mink, beaver, muskrat, coyotes, deer, bobcats and otter.

·        Three types of venomous snakes: copperhead, timber rattler, and cottonmouth

·        Eleven State Champion trees

The center is currently open on a limited schedule, Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  It is open to organized groups on those days with advance confirmation.  Group reservations should be made in advance by calling 618/634-2231.

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