Arbor Day marked by dedication of Cache River visitor center    

[MAY 2, 2005]  BELKNAP -- The Henry N. Barkhausen Visitor's Center was dedicated Friday at the Cache River Natural Area in southern Illinois, with announcement of plans for expanded hours. In addition to the dedication of the center, the area was also named an "Important Bird Area." This program, developed by the National Audubon Society, designates key habitats critical to bird conservation efforts.

"We are pleased to be able to announce today that when the new budget year begins in a few months, we will be able to add a site interpreter," said Leslie Sgro, deputy director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "Despite economic challenges facing the state of Illinois, Governor Rod Blagovich recognizes the importance of this facility, and we are able to expand the hours of operation by adding staff here. Opening this center will spur economic development in the region and foster appreciation of the magnificent natural resources of the Cache River."

When the new fiscal year begins, the Department of Natural Resources plans to open the Henry N. Barkhausen Visitor's Center five days a week. Currently, it is open Fridays and Saturdays.

The 6,500-square-foot wetlands center is designed to enhance understanding of the importance of the Cache River Natural Area and of wetlands in general. It includes exhibits, displays, audiovisual presentations, and indoor and outdoor viewing decks.

Another feature is a paved, handicapped-accessible path leading from the center into the wetlands. For bicyclists and hikers, a five-mile segment of the 45-mile-long Tunnel Hill State Trail passes through the region. Paralleling the Karnak-Belknap Road on its northern side, the Tunnel Hill Trail links Little Black Slough, the Lower Cache unit and the Henry N. Barkhausen Wetlands Center.

Designation as an Important Bird Area is also a boon to the region. This designation for the Cache River Wetlands is the first in Illinois. Nationally, there are more than 1,200 of the designated areas in 30 states. Many of the nearly 50 such areas in Illinois are managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"The Important Bird Areas program helps us focus our efforts on those places in which protecting bird habitat will have the most long-term benefits," said Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold. "The program provides a list of priority areas that need conservation in order to sustain healthy and diverse bird populations and helps guide our planning and action to protect and enhance that habitat."

The Cache River Basin Important Bird Areas include the Cache River State Natural Area, the Grassy Slough Preserve and the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

The newly dedicated center is named for Henry N. Barkhausen, an industrialist and avid outdoorsman, who served as director of the Illinois Department of Conservation from 1970 to 1973. He also is a longtime member of the Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River, established in 1979 to promote conservation practices in the Cache River area.

In addition to the dedication, other activities took place over the weekend as part of Birding Fest 2005, which included birding programs, hikes, tours and a birding blitz competition.

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release]