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Spunky Bottoms a wetland restoration success story on the Illinois River

Denim Perry of The Nature Conservancy and a colleague, Randy Smith, recently provided an update of progress at Spunky Bottoms. (Photo courtesy of TNC)

Spunky Bottoms, an appropriately-named stretch of the Illinois River in Brown County, has become one of Illinois’ most successful wetland restoration projects, demonstrating how careful management can help revive floodplain ecosystems that have been dramatically altered.
Managed by The Nature Conservancy, the 1,300-acre Merwin Preserve at Spunky Bottoms provides habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife while serving as a living laboratory for scientists studying floodplain restoration techniques that could benefit wetlands throughout the Illinois River Valley.

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