Paddle Event

Celebrate over 10 years of restoration at the Emiquon Preserve. Enjoy wildlife viewing and learning about the wetlands restoration efforts. Participants will kayak and canoe their way through the far recesses of Thompson Lake, as leading conservationists from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services, The Nature Conservancy, Therkildsen Fieldstation and Dickson Mounds highlight some of benefits and challenges of managing the Preserve, including the current scientific research. Participants may bring their own canoe or kayak (including paddling gear, life-jackets, sunscreen, etc.), or contact us to reserve one of a limited number of canoes. Participants may also reserve a seat in one of two voyager canoes that hold more than a dozen people! There are only a limited number of canoes, so register soon. Meet at the Emiquon Preserve pull-off area near Hwy 97 to launch the watercraft. 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 am to paddle up the Illinois River to Quiver Lake, explore the backwaters of the river, and then paddle back down. Registration is required by Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 309-535-2290 or email illinoisriver@fws.org to register or for more information. This program is sponsored by the Emiquon Partnership.