Chautauqua NWR: Birds, Bugs, and Blooms!

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1936 in the "Illinois River Sand Area Natural Division". Noted for its significant sand deposits, this natural division harbors a number of interesting endemic species typical of a more arid climate. The refuge has long been praised for its migratory birds, and deservedly so, but due to the unique a-biotic conditions there is much more going on. Habitats range from bottomland forest and moist soil wetlands, to spring seeps and upland forest. It's home to multiple threatened and endangered species, as well as some really weird plant associations you probably won't see anywhere else.

Refuge staff are looking for assistance in collecting presence/absence and phenological data for all flora and fauna within the refuge boundary. Birds, bugs, mammals, fungus, flowers, trees, snails, mussels, etc.-- You name it, they want it. Consider this a bio-blitz, sans blitz.

This data is critical and fills both practical and habitat management needs. Completing species lists, locating key habitats, and noting phenological differences are just several examples of how this data will be used. This is an opportunity for you to have a major impact on YOUR National Wildlife Refuge. less ↑