Established June 26, 1990 in the southernmost Illinois counties of
Alexander County,
Johnson County,
Pulaski County and
Union County, the Refuge purchase boundary consists of 35,300 acres. This is a remarkable area for birding, hunting and walking along nature trails. The Refuge is part of the
Cache River Wetlands project, a joint venture partnership which includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited. These entities believe that, by working collectively, they can best protect and improve the unique natural features of this area and keep the functional integrity of the entire
Cache River ecosystem.
