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| Newsletter from The Wetlands Initiative ■ December 2009 |
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 | Birds flock to Hennepin during lake rehab | | |
After four weeks of steady pumping, the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin and Hopper Lakes is now only about 1 inch deep in most areas. The shallow water has created a feeding frenzy for pelicans (at right), migrating waterfowl, and shorebirds
The drawdown is central to a massive effort by the Wetlands Initiative and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to rehabilitate the lakes. The goal is to remove the invasive common carp.
In late November, IDNR and TWI staff rescued much of the game fish population, including many largemouth bass, averaging about 6 pounds each. The lakes will re-fill in spring, causing an explosion in new flora and fauna. Shortly thereafter, IDNR will restock the lakes with native and game fish.
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| Spotlight on TWI Partner: Pam Horwitz, American Corn Growers Association | | |
Pam Horwitz is out to change the economic prospects of rural Illinois and she intends to do it by using what the region has plenty of: land.
Her mission began in 2006, when Horwitz moved back to her hometown of Manlius, Illinois, population 340. Manlius is typical of the small towns that dot Bureau County, an area that has nearly 90% of its land in agriculture, yet only 5% of the male residents claim farming as their occupation.
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| New postcards: Share restoration in living color | | |
Share the beauty of nature by sending a greeting to friends and family with full color photo postcards, compliments of the Wetlands Initiative. It's easier than a holiday card and more personal than an email.
  
To say thank you to our 2009 donors, we’re offering a set of 10 postcards, featuring the three photos from our restoration projects shown here, shot by TWI Ecologist Gary Sullivan. If you’ve already contributed this year, just drop us an email to request your free pack today. (Available while supplies last.)
If you aren’t a 2009 donor, contribute today. Your contribution supports our work to restore the lost wetlands of the Midwest to improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and reduce flood damages.
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