McHenry County Blog

Part of a press release from Governor Pat Quinn:

Governor Quinn Announces $2.8 Million to Expand Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

Photo credit: Fish and Wildlife Service.

SPRINGFIELD – February 20, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today announced acquisition of 547 acres of public land in four Illinois counties to boost public access for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation.

The $2.8 million in land purchases includes

• 410 acres in Pike County, a hallowed deer hunting region, and
• 71 acres in Hackmatack, the nation’s newest National Wildlife Refuge.

This acquisition is part of Governor Quinn’s ongoing commitment to expand and preserve Illinois’ natural resources and boost the economy.

The properties were acquired through the Illinois Open Lands Trust (OLT), which is funded by Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and allocated for public recreation and conservation purposes.

“Preservation of open space for future generations is a worthy goal, and hunting, fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation generate billions of dollars a year in Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “Continuing to expand outdoor recreation areas and natural habitats such as Hackmatack are not only good for our economy, but also ensure that Illinois children can enjoy nature and lead a healthy lifestyle. Let’s leave no child inside!’”

Today’s announcement includes acquisition of three other properties to expand public lands:

Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, McHenry County, 71.8 acres ($511,000) – The parcel was acquired to formally establish the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, the first refuge established in northern Illinois.

The core areas of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge are rich in important natural resources, including rare and diverse natural communities, endangered and threatened species, wetlands, diverse aquatic systems and migratory birds.

Eventually, the Hackmatack Refuge will improve or restore 11,000 acres of wetlands, prairie and forest, and will conserve habitat corridors between protected parcels to ensure sustainability of local ecological systems.

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The Fish and Wildlife Service web site for Hackmatack states,

“The first parcel of land acquired will officially establish the Refuge.”

A press release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Growing America’s Great Outdoors: Secretary Salazar Marks the Establishment of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge

Glacial Park has long been considered one of the jewels of the county’s open space holdings, characterized by its rolling prairie, wetlands, delta kames, oak savanna and the tranquil presence of Nippersink Creek. Photo by Tina Shaw/USFWS.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the establishment of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge today in Florida at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Hackmatack is the 561st national wildlife refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System and is the tenth refuge established during Secretary Salazar’s tenure.

The refuge was officially established with the acquisition of a 12-acre habitat easement donation from Chicago-based Openlands, an organization dedicated to the protection of the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region.

As with the planning stages, Hackmatack Refuge will be a true partnership effort that involves many local, state and federal agencies, citizen-driven groups and other nongovernmental organizations.

“The establishment of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will help keep open spaces, including wetlands and grasslands, within easy reach of millions of people living in largely urban areas of Chicagoland and northeast Illinois,” said Governor [Pat] Quinn.

Restoration of wetlands, prairie and oak savanna will provide environmental education and conservation opportunities for the estimated 3.5 million people within 30 miles of the project area. The refuge will reconnect this urban population with nature and provide outdoor educational opportunities to thousands of children and their families.

“Thanks to the vision of conservation leaders and organizations throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area, Hackmatack will provide a way to connect children, families and all urban and suburban residents to nature and wildlife,” continued Quinn.

The refuge will benefit a variety of wildlife and plants and their habitats. The boundaries were formulated based on the soils, historic vegetation, watersheds, existing conservation areas, habitat requirements of desired wildlife species, public roads, and comments received from the public. It will link and expand existing conservation areas to benefit migratory birds, endangered species, and provide wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities.

Land conservation methods for four core areas, encompassing up to 11,200 acres in total, will include

• purchase from willing sellers,
• conservation easements,
• public-private initiatives and
• partnerships aimed at creating contiguous natural habitat.

Conservation corridors that connect the core areas will be established primarily through use of partnership efforts and to a lesser degree through willing seller purchase.

Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius had words of praise for Openlands, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Friends of Hackmatack and the wider Hackmatack Planning Partnership, saying,

“This truly collaborative effort underscores our commitment to pulling in the best science together with the best community support.”

“Taken together, these components create a project far greater than the sum of its parts,” noted Melius.

Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will also provide habitat for 109 species of concern that include Federal and state threatened and endangered species and birds of conservation concern. The list includes 49 birds, five fishes, five mussels, one amphibian, two reptiles and 47 plants.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved the establishment of the refuge on July 10, 2012, with the first parcel added on November 6, 2012.

To learn more about our newest refuge by visiting, http://www.fws.gov/refuge/hackmatack/.

A message from Openlands, plus the press release from the Department of the Interior:

The original area proposed for the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

Openlands wants you, our friends and supporters, to be among the first to hear this important news:

The final map.

Just minutes ago, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar authorized the establishment of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. Located on the Illinois-Wisconsin border between Chicago and Milwaukee, Hackmatack will eventually grow to encompass 11,000 acres of prairies, streams, wetlands, and forests providing habitat to an array of wildlife.

Hackmatack, the dream of a small group of area residents that grew into a reality with national support, is the type of large-scale project crucial to the work of Openlands. The refuge brings clear environmental benefits to our region in addition to economic opportunities stemming from educational and recreational use.

Hackmatack is a grand initiative to substantively connect nature to the 12 million residents of the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and Rockford.

Now that the refuge is authorized, the work continues. Openlands plays an essential role in the creation of the refuge including indentifying land protection and acquisition opportunities from willing property sellers. Throughout the process, we have worked closely with the local organization Friends of Hackmatack as well as national partners Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter and The Trust for Public Land.

Grand projects like Hackmatack would not be possible without your support. Thank you!

Click here to learn more about Hackmatack!

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The Department of Interior press release is below:

New wildlife refuge between Chicago, Milwaukee will be at doorstep of 3.5 million people

MILWAUKEE – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced he has authorized the establishment of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois, eventually providing up to 11,200 acres of habitat for wildlife as well as outdoor recreational opportunities within easy driving distance of millions of people.

“When President Obama unveiled his America’s Great Outdoors initiative two years ago, we set out to re-energize a conservation ethic for the 21st century and to help Americans reconnect to the natural world,” Salazar said at a gathering of conservation stakeholders. “Thanks in large measure to the work of local communities and stakeholders, the creation of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will help conserve wetlands and prairies in Wisconsin and Illinois, while offering Americans a place to enjoy the great outdoors.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will establish the refuge on land or conservation easements purchased from willing sellers. Ultimately, the refuge is expected to include land on both sides of the Wisconsin-Illinois border between Milwaukee and Chicago.

The refuge, which will not be officially established until the first parcel of land is purchased, will provide for restoration of wetlands, prairie and oak savanna habitat and provide a home for 109 species of animals and plants that are of concern. The list includes 49 birds, five fishes, five mussels, one amphibian, two reptiles and 47 plants.

The Service will also provide ample environmental education and recreational opportunities for visitors, including the 3.5 million people within 30 miles of the refuge.

“Today’s announcement is really about the power of partnerships,” said Service Director Dan Ashe, who last month authorized the refuge’s boundaries. “After important input from the public, including conservation leaders, hunters and anglers, and members of the local communities, we’re taking an important step forward to protect this key habitat and make the area available for generations to come.”

Land conservation methods for four core areas, including up to 11,200 acres in total, could include conservation easements or purchases from willing sellers, and private initiatives and partnerships aimed at creating contiguous natural habitat. The boundaries are based on the watersheds, existing conservation areas, habitat requirements for wildlife species of concern, public roads, and comments received from the public.

As is the case with the 556 national wildlife refuges nationwide, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education and interpretation would be priority uses of the refuge.

As detailed in an Interim Comprehensive Management Plan, released as part of the Environmental Assessment, large and small game and waterfowl hunting opportunities likely would be offered on refuge lands after a suitable amount of land is acquired.

To learn more, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Hackmatack/

To learn more about the National Wildlife Refuge System, visit www.fws.gov/refuges

Here's the area under consideration for designation as the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

I think it was Last week when my scanner was not connecting to my computer that the post card was put in our mailbox.

The back of the post-election post card that looked like a campaign piece, but wasn't.

It is from “Friends of Hackmatack,” the group pushing for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to designate a Northern Illinois-Southern Wisconsin area as the “Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.”

A meeting will be held tonight at the McHenry County Conservation District’s Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park off Route 31 north of Ringwood from 5-8.

On Wednesday, a similar meeting will be held in Genoa City at the Brookwood Middle School.

Links for comments on the proposal are listed on the addres side of the post card.

Those without the time or sufficient interest to attend in person can offer comments at

• http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Hackmatack/index.html or
• http://bit.ly/Hackmatack.

The comment period ends April 27th.

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A friend of McHenry County Blog snapped this photo at the open house Tuesday evening:

Folks examining what the U.S. Fish & Wildlife officials had to present about the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

Tuesday afternoon a public hearing will be held at the McHenry County Administrative Building on Ware Road in Woodstock from 4-6 to obtain comments on the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

If you can’t make it there Wednesday from 4-6, you’ll have another chance at the Ringwood Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park north of Ringwood.

If you would like to comment without leaving your home, you can do so at this email address:

r3planning@fws.gov

Openlands created this Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge map. It is used with permission.

The McHenry County Libertarian Party sent the following information about open houses being held at the County Administrative Building and the McHenry County Conservation District’s Lost Valley Visitor Center concerning the Fish and Wildlife Service’s wildlife area in northern McHenry County and Southern Wisconsin:

The short version … The Feds are looking at taking 10,000 – 30,000 acres of residential area and possibly turning it into a wild life refuge.  They are reviewing 300,000 acres of McHenry County and parts of southern WI.  Read through both PDFs at the link.

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Hackmatack/

You are invited to share your thoughts with Fish and Wildlife Service planners at open house events scheduled in October.
Two open houses are scheduled in Illinois:

• Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the McHenry County Government Center Administration Building, which is located at 667 Ware Road in Woodstock, Ill.

Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lost Valley Visitor Center, Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood, Ill.

You can find more information here.

Openlands created this Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge map. It is used with permission.

Last week, the McHenry County Board endorsed creation of a wildlife refuge in northern McHenry County and southern Wisconsin. Now a feasibility study has been approved by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The following press release has been issued by Openlands:

HACKMATACK UPDATE:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Approves Feasibility Study

TERRIFIC NEWS! The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has approved the preliminary project proposal for Hackmatack and will now move forward with conducting a feasibility study.

Another Openlands map showing ecological assest of the proposed refuge area, used with permission. (Click to enlarge any map.)

The study is an important next step in making the refuge a reality and ultimately designating its boundaries.

The study area includes portions of McHenry and Lake counties in Illinois and Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha counties in Wisconsin.

Still another map, this one about connectivity and biodiversity, from the Openlands study, which McHenry County Blog has permission to republish.

Openlands Policy Director and McHenry County resident Lenore Beyer-Clow has been instrumental in leading advocacy efforts for the refuge, and we will continue to work with The Trust for Public Land and the local Friends of Hackmatack grassroots coalition to conduct outreach and gain additional support. We will also continue to coordinate efforts with the USFWS as they conduct the study. (Learn more about the study here.)

This is an exciting project that illustrates the potential for significant landscape-scale conservation that gives people an opportunity to connect with nature, the foundation of Openlands’ mission.

This bi-state refuge would provide extensive recreation and education.

For more information about this project, please contact Lenore Beyer-Clow at 312-863-6264 or via e-mail.

To support this project and many other sustainable green initiatives throughout northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region, please consider making a contribution to Openlands today: