Paddle Emiquon on July 22

ISM Location: Dickson Mounds

For Immediate Release:

LEWISTOWN, IL – Celebrate 10 years of restoration at the Emiquon Preserve at ‘Paddle Emiquon’ on Sat., July 22.  Enjoy wildlife viewing and learning about the wetlands restoration efforts at the Emiquon Preserve.  Participants will kayak and canoe their way through the far recesses of Thompson Lake as leading conservationists from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Therkildsen Field Station, and Dickson Mounds Museum highlight some of the benefits and challenges of managing the Preserve, including current scientific research. Participants may bring their own canoe or kayak (including paddling gear, life jackets, sunscreen, etc.), or reserve one of a limited number of canoes available on the day of the event. Participants may also reserve a seat in one of two Voyageur canoes that hold more than a dozen people.  Canoes are limited, so register soon. Meet at the Emiquon Preserve pull-off area near Ill. Rt. 97 to launch the watercraft at 8:00 a.m. Participants will provide their own drinks and snacks. In the event of adverse weather conditions (high winds, low water conditions, etc.), the back-up location will be Quiver Lake near Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge. Meet and start at the Riverfront Park boat ramp in Havana, IL at 8:00 a.m. to paddle up the Illinois River to Quiver Lake, explore the backwaters of the river, and then paddle back down. To register or for more information on ‘Paddle Emiquon,’call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 309-535-2290, email at mitchell_baalman@fws.gov, or Facebook message to Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex.  This program is sponsored by the Emiquon Partnership.

The Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds is located between Lewistown and Havana off Illinois Routes 78 and 97. The museum is open free to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Tours and special programs are available for groups with reservations. For more information, call 309-547-3721 or TTY 217-782-9175. Also visit us on Facebook at Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds or online at the Dickson Mounds link on the Illinois State Museum website at www.illinoisstatemuseum.org.

Contact Person: Christa Foster

Contact Email: christa.foster@illinois.gov

Contact Phone: (309) 547-3721

Release File (pdf): dicksonmounds-paddle_emiquon.pdf

Release File (doc): dicksonmounds-paddle_emiquon_final.docx