CACH RIVER WETLANDS: COOPERATION SAVES HABITAT

PERKS, Ill. -- The Cache River Wetlands is a joint venture of the Illinois Department of Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, the Nature Conservancy and the Citizens Committee to Save the Cache.

The conservancy's goal is to permanently restore and protect the region's natural areas, preserving critical habitat for its many endangered species.

In addition, the bottomland and wetlands provide habitat for up to 10,000 geese and 15,000 ducks.

The IDOC has been buying up private land -- on a willing-seller basis only -- since the 1970s. The joint venture partnership was formed in 1988, and the refuge was formally dedicated in 1990.

In 1994, the Cache River Basin was recognized by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, known as the Ramsar Convention. It is now one of 15 such sites in the United States, joining Everglades National Park, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Chesapeake Bay Estuarine Complex on the list.

Currently, more than 29,000 acres are protected in the Cache River Wetlands. Eventually, the entire project will cover 60,000 acres.

Jim Waycuilis, site superintendent for the IDOC, said all the agencies involved have been replanting trees to restore the forest, decimated long ago by logging and agricultural clearing.

Well over 60,000 trees have been planted each year since 1991. Most are native hardwoods.

To celebrate National River Month, the Cache River Wetlands will provide free canoe trips beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. Walking tours also were scheduled, but most of the preserve's trails are now under water.

Other canoe trips will begin at 11:15 a.m. 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Most of the canoe trips already are booked, a spokeswoman said. Because of the response, they are considering scheduling more free canoe days in the summer or fall.

The number at the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge is (618) 634-2231.

To reach the Lower Cache River Access, follow Illinois 3 to McClure, the Grapevine Trail to Tamms, and Route 127 north to the Ullin Blacktop, turning right into Ullin. Turn left on Highway 51 at Ullin to the Perks Blacktop. Follow east beyond Perks about 2 miles to the state access sign.