Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Inc.

"Birding the Bottomlands" Map

Jack Nawrot of the SIUC Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory is coordinating an effort to introduce the Middle Mississippi River Partnership to the public, using a birding map to showcase public lands as bird observation points. These locations and the boundaries of the public land will be displayed on a large, double-sided, folding map, along with information about the MMRP and the natural history of the bottomlands.

Southwestern Illinois RC&D is developing the map and graphic design. The Birding the Bottomlands map will cover the portion of the Middle Mississippi River from Rockwood to Thebes. The US Forest Service-Shawnee National Forest has generously funded the initial MMRP bird trail map. The remaining portion of the corridor may be mapped in the future, pending additional funds.

Excerpt from the draft basemap (Jackson County, IL): Birding observation points will be identified on the public lands in the corridor. The agencies that own and manage these areas are members of the Middle Mississippi River Partnership.