Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois.
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1993 to restore and protect wetland habitats at the confluence of the Illinois and Spoon Rivers and to help fulfill international obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties and conventions. The first tract of the refuge was purchased on December 29, 1993. The refuge has since grown to 2,631 acres. In 2012, the refuge was designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. The refuge is part of the traditional homeland of the Illinois people, past and present. Today, the Illinois people are recognized as the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, a confederation of Kaskaskia, Peoria, Piankeshaw and Wea tribes of Illinois and Indiana. They are descendants of those who created the great mound civilizations in the central Unites States. Subsequent tribes that also lived here were the Kickapoo and Potawatomi. We honor with gratitude their past and present as we continue stewardship of these lands, waters, fish and wildlife.
Emiquon refuge is managed as part of the Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex, this complex stretches along 124 miles of the Illinois River in west central Illinois and consists of three refuges: Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge and Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge. The complex totals 13,000 acres of backwater lakes, bottomland forests, floodplain wetlands and upland habitats.
In addition to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managed lands, The Nature Conservancy owns more than 7,000 acres adjacent to Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge. This area, called Emiquon Preserve, is managed by The Nature Conservancy to restore functional floodplain habitats along the Illinois River. The property includes Thompson Lake, which was once one of the most ecologically significant backwater lakes in the Illinois River floodplain.
While wildlife is the showcase feature at Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, the wider Emiquon area has a much bigger story to tell. This story encompasses thousands of years of human and natural history. The rich plant and animal life that once thrived in this area provided resources that sustained human cultures for more than 12,000 years. A trip to the Illinois State Museum Dickson Mounds will provide abundant opportunities to explore this rich story. The museum is located just north and west of the refuge.
Emiquon Refuge is located at the confluence of the Spoon and Illinois rivers in Fulton County, Illinois. Situated just west of Havana, Illinois, on Route 97/78, the refuge is accessible by State Highway 24 from Peoria or Lewistown, and State Highway 136 from Havana, Illinois.