Friends of Hackmatack Our History . . . We are a group of local citizens from northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin, working on a rare opportunity to bring a National Wildlife Refuge to the Chicago Metro area to add to the handful of urban refuges nationwide, building on the commitment of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop an informed and involved citizenry that will support fish and wildlife conservation through recreation, scientific research, and environmental education in and near cities. Our Mission . . . Our mission is to facilitate the establishment of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in the northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin. The refuge will conserve our area’s unique natural landscapes, plants and wildlife; link existing open space areas; create recreational opportunities and provide long-term economic benefits to the residents of our region.

Our Vision . . . We envision a national wildlife refuge that recognizes, protects and restores the rare natural communities, unusual glacial landforms, high quality waters and abundant native plants and animals of the bi-state region.

The Refuge community . . . ■ Respects individual property rights by offering multiple mechanisms for land owners who choose to become part of the refuge system through conservation easements, management agreements and voluntary habitat improvement of privately owned lands. ■ Encourages and expands outdoor recreational opportunities while enhancing the appreciation of the natural landscape ■ Engages with local gateway communities to encourage commerce and build on their distinctive assets.   ■ Creates new opportunities for businesses and builds on the economic strengths of our region. ■ Highlights the historic and cultural contributions of native peoples, farmers and today’s residents. ■ Incorporates partnerships between private land owners, local business interests, conservation groups, state and local units of government and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in a mutually beneficial relationship.

Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge brochure