Upper Mississippi River Refuge Closed Area Regulations

The Fish and Wildlife Service reminds everyone about Closed Areas and No Hunting Zones on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge in Pools 12, 13, and 14.  These areas cover a small percentage of the Refuge and are subject to special regulations, relating to access and waterfowl hunting.  Upper Mississippi River

Ornament Painting at The Loft on Main

Stephanie Vavra wrote this article.   Editor’s note:  See the Letter to the Editor from Sharon Boyles. Monday, November 11, 2019, was a day that began with several inches of snowfall on the ground and temperatures that would keep it in place for days.  It was a windy morning for the

Halley’s Comet Bits Visible October 21-22

Jamie Carter wrote this article. Will you be alive in 2061?  If not, your only chance to see something of Halley’s Comet comes in both early May and late October each year.  That is when Earth moves through streams of particles which the great comet deposited in the inner solar

Visit Andresen Nature Center for Fall Fest

Andresen Nature Center, 409 N. 4th Street, celebrates Fall Festival on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days, in Fulton, IL.  Park downtown and ride the shuttle to the Center entrance. For youngsters and adults, entertaining activities await. On Saturday at

Heritage Canyon Fall Festival October 5-6

The Early American Crafters–Heritage Canyon historical interpreters–invite the public to enter 11 buildings on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, 2019, in Fulton, IL.  Fall Festival is held at 515 N. 4th Street from 10:00 a.m. from 4:00 p.m. both days.  Park downtown and ride the shuttle to the

September 14 WHOA Horse Show and Cookout

White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center (WHOA) will host its sixth Annual Benefit Horse Show, on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at the Gold Star FS Arena in the Whiteside County Fairgrounds, 201 W. Winfield Street, Morrison, IL.  All proceeds will benefit the WHOA program.  WHOA uses equine-assisted activities to provide recreational, educational, therapeutic,

Kids Fishing Day, September 7

Local area youth, ages five to 12, are encouraged to preregister now, for Kids Fishing Day at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.  A youth fishing clinic will be held at Frog Pond on September 7, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  Children six and under must

Explore the National Wildlife and Fish Refuge by Golf Cart

Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are hosting “Refuge Golf Cart Tours” that travel through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.  Tours are free and open to all ages.  Trips are the 1st and 3rd Thursday and the

Bridge Lessons Start May 16 at Resthave

Beginner’s Bridge lessons will begin Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation, 408 Maple Avenue, Morrison, IL. Play will take place in the Assisted Living Dining Hall for one or two hours, depending upon demand. There is no fee. If you are interested call Mary

Birding Tour of Lost Mound May 18

Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are co-hosting a birding tour, into the closed area of Lost Mound on Saturday, May 18, 2019.  Tours are free, but seating is limited.  This is an excellent opportunity to travel through the refuge with

Spring Lake Temporarily Closure

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has announced that the Spring Lake Management Unit’s recreation area, located off IL Route Highway 84 south of Savanna, IL, will be temporarily closed, to accommodate a levee rehabilitation project.  Closure is scheduled to extend from Monday, March 11, through Friday,

Young Artists at the Figge Opened January 5

Beginning Saturday, January 5, 2019, the Figge Art Museum’s second-floor Mary Waterman Gildehaus Community Gallery will feature the artwork of local elementary art students, for the annual “Young Artists at the Figge” exhibition.  The exhibition will kick-off with works by elementary art students from Pleasant Valley, IA, Schools. Nine area

Proposed Regulations Rollback Means Less Safe Water

This week, [Monday, December 10, through Thursday, December 13, 2018,] the Trump Administration has proposed sweeping changes to the Obama-era regulation known as the “Waters of the United States,” a move that threatens the safety of Illinois’ rivers, groundwater, and the drinking water of millions across the State. In 2015,

35th Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project, Clinton Community College, Clinton Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge invite the public to the 35th Annual Clinton Bald Eagle Watch.  It will be held from 9:00 a.m.

Explore Lost Mound National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service will co-host a birding tour into the closed area of Lost Mound, on Saturday, December 22, 2018.  Tours are free, but seating is limited. Registration is required.  Please call the refuge office at 815-273-2732 to