Upper Miss. River Refuge (Savanna Dist.)

Web Site:

Upper Mississippi River Refuge

Managing Organization:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Contact:

Pam Steinhaus

Phone Number:

815-273-2732

Site Amenities and Recreation Opportunities:

The Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center at the refuge southern most district is packed with interesting, hands-on exhibits and provides a dramatic view of the world's most majestic and celebrated river. Visitors can walk or bike the Grand Illinois Trail that traverses through the prairie and along Spring Lake. Other opportunities include photography, geocaching, hunting, fishing, and boating.

Hours:

The Ingersoll Wetlands Learnig Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. June to September the office is open on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Special Closings and Special Events:

Monthly bird walks are offered on the 2nd Saturday throughout the year, meet at Sloane Marsh (across from the visitor's center) at 8 a.m. Refuge Golf cart tours are offered the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month Thursday-Saturday, call ahead for reservations. In 2011 the Center will be showing a series of nature films at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 6/18, 7/2, 8/13, and 9/3. For more information on any of the special events visit the Stewards of the Upper Mississippi Refuge website at: http://www.sumriver.org

Natural Site Characteristics:

The Center sits on 35 acres of sand prairie that is home to the Ornate Box Turtle, Prickly Pear Cactus and a diversity of other plants and animals. The river portion of the refuge is also home to Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, American White Pelicans, and the Prickly Pear Cactus.

Site Acreage:

74,250 acres