IDNR announces plans to develop the Michael Wolff Memorial Wetlands / Project will create two wetlands within the Cache River Watershed in Southern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced plans for the development of two wetlands within the Cache River Watershed in Southern Illinois – one at Cache River State Natural Area and another at Mermet Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area. The Michael Wolff Memorial Wetlands project, named for its namesake Michael W. Wolff, a steward of natural resources, includes the development of 60 acres of wetlands to restore habitats in the Cache Watershed.

“It is only fitting that these wetlands be named after MichaelWolff, a man who devoted his time here to preserving our natural resources. This project is one example of the department’s commitment to the preservation and enhancement our natural areas for future generations,” said Sam Flood, Acting Director of IDNR.

The Michael Wolff Memorial Wetlands project is dedicated to the life, work and spirit of Michael W. Wolff, who died from a rare form of cancer on April 11, 2004 at the age of 30.
Michael Wolff was born and grew up in Southern Illinois. He was a 1996 graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. While attending SIUC he conducted research related to waterfowl habitat in the Cache River Basin. His professional career path led him to work with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. He had a keen interest in waterfowl and wetlands and dedicated his life to natural resource conservation.

Following Wolff’s death, The Michael Wolff Memorial Wetland Foundation was established to fulfill his final request and commemorate his life. Their mission is to assist in the restoration and development of wetlands for waterfowl and wildlife habitat, while providing recreational opportunities for future generations.

The wetlands project is being supported by the Michael Wolff Memorial Wetland Foundation, with additional funding from the IDNR Adopt-a Swamp Program, Illinois State Duck Stamp, Friends of the Cache River Watershed, and a grant obtained from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), a grant program administered through the U.S, Fish & Wildlife Service.

In addition to today’s dedication, this weekend marks the start of the annual Birding Fest, a three-day long festival featuring a variety of programs and activities for people of all ages. This year’s program will include guided hikes, bird watching and a special presentation by Tim Gallagher, a lifelong birder, writer and photographer, who was one of the qualified observers that positively identified the previously believed extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker in the Arkansas' Cache River swamps in 2004.

On Saturday April 29th, competitive birders will participate in a Birding Blitz, a bird watching competition where teams attempt to locate and identify the most bird species in 24 hours. Proceeds from the event go towards the IDNR-Adopt-a-Swamp program, which raises money to restore wetlands within the Cache River Watershed. The theme for the 2006 Birding Fest is “The Realm of Possibilities.”

For more information on the Birding Festival, call 618-634-2231 or 618-657-2064 or visit www.birdingblitz.org. Programs, information and registration will take place at Shawnee Community College and the Henry N. Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center.

In an effort to protect what remains of the Cache River Wetlands, a unique partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited was formed in 1991. This partnership, known as the Cache River Joint Venture, shares a common goal of restoring 60,000 acres along the Cache River and its major tributaries.
 

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