RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL AREA NOW OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK

Illinois Department of Natural Resources expands hours at
Henry Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center

CACHE RIVER – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Cache River State Natural Area and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge announced today that the Henry Barkausen-Cache River Wetlands Center is open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. IDNR was able to increase the number of days the center is open from two days to five with the addition of Natural Resource Coordinator Molie Oliver.

The Natural Resource Coordinator will work with staff from Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Southern 7 AmeriCorps Volunteer members to oversee the operation and management of the Cache River Wetlands Center, but also to play a critical role in facilitating on-site education programs providing area information to all visitors.

“The Cache River Wetlands Center is a state-of-the-art facility that will become the hub for information that promotes the preservation, appreciation, restoration and education of nationally and internationally significant wetlands in Illinois,” said IDNR Director Joel Brunsvold.

Information about recreational opportunities throughout the area such as hiking, nature and wildlife observation, canoeing, hunting and fishing, as well as information about the natural and cultural history of the Cache River Wetlands and its watershed, is available at the center. The center offers a 12 minute educational film, 2,000 square feet of exhibits, binoculars and a

spotting scope to watch an eagle, information on where to see a Cypress tree more than 1,000-years-old, and more.

For more information or to schedule groups or education programs contact the Cache River Wetlands Center at 618/657-2064 or the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge at 618/634-2231.

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