Let's Hear It (Some More) for Hackmatack

After nearly five years of planning and grassroots organizing, the dream of a national wildlife refuge in the bi-state Illinois-Wisconsin region is moving closer to reality. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently hosted four open-format meetings (two in Illinois and two in Wisconsin) for members of the public to ask questions, offer comments, and provide ideas about the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. If you couldn't make it to the meetings, however, don't despair, the USFWS still wants your input to help guide their efforts as they review conservation opportunites in this region.

The USFWS is soliciting written comments regarding:

• Critical resource issues in the area,
• Wildlife species you think they should be targeting,
• Any "special places" you know about and would like to see protected as part of a refuge,
• The kinds of recreation opportunities you do (or don't) want to see in the refuge,
• Specific ways that a refuge could integrate itself into local communities, and
• Any other thoughts you may have regarding a bi-state refuge.

So, please, if you haven't already conveyed (or would like to reiterate) just how excited you are about Hackmatack, let the USFWS planning team know. Send your comments:

• Via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,
• By snail mail to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Division of Conservation Planning; Attn: Proposed Hackmatack NWR; BHW Federal Building, Room 530; 1 Federal Drive; Fort Snelling, MN 55111, or
• Through the Sierra Club's easy-to-submit "Make the Dream a Reality" Web form.

Click here for more information about the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, or visit the Friends of Hackmatack Web site.