Durbin Visits Hackmatack Wildlife Refugee To Celebrate Expansion
RICHMOND – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge—the first such Refuge in the Chicago metropolitan area—to celebrate a major milestone in regional conservation. Durbin has championed Hackmatack for more than a dozen years, including by helping secure federal funding for the Refuge.
Durbin’s visit to Hackmatack highlights the recent acquisition of Tamarack Farms, the refuge’s largest acquisition, which connects to existing protected lands, and was made possible in part due to an earmark secured by Durbin in 2022.
“In 2012, I visited Hackmatack to officially designate the site as a National Wildlife Refuge. I am thrilled to return today to celebrate this historic expansion,” said Durbin. “The dream of protecting Tamarack Farms has now become a reality, and I was honored to secure an earmark that helped cover some of this acquisition. Hackmatack’s more than 11,000 acres are home to rare natural communities, unusual glacial landforms, high quality waters, and abundant native plants. Thanks to the work done by Friends of Hackmatack, Openlands, the Conservation Fund, McHenry County Conservation District, and Illinois Audobon Society, Illinoisans and Wisconsinites can enjoy these precious natural resources. I’ll continue advocating for the protection of this refuge on the federal level.”
“Hackmatack is more than a refuge for wildlife, it’s a refuge for people. With 80 percent of Americans living in metropolitan areas, the need for accessible nature has never been greater. Thanks to Senator Durbin’s leadership, dedicated grassroots advocates, and strong partnerships, this refuge stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when we work together: healthier communities, stronger local economies, and a deeper regional identity rooted in nature,” said Michael Davidson, President and CEO at Openlands.
“We were happy to have played a part in securing the 1,000 acres and are pleased to see that the plans put in place are moving forward to create habitat for threatened and endangered species of plants and wildlife, and to provide an opportunity in the future for the public to discover a new appreciation of nature here at the refuge,” said Jo Fessett, Executive Director at Illinois Audubon Society.
“Tamarack Farms will enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to dramatically expand public land access for residents and visitors of the region,” said Emy Brawley, VP Midwest for The Conservation Fund. “Senator Durbin’s steadfast support of Hackmatack has been key in achieving this top conservation priority and realizing the many benefits that will flow from it.”
To date, approximately 3,299 acres have been protected within the greater Hackmatack area, including 890 acres now owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Refuge provides vital habitat for 109 wildlife species of concern and serves as a key link in the regional conservation landscape. Hackmatack is poised to enhance McHenry County’s identity as a nature destination, contributing to a growing tourism sector generating $344 million in visitor spending and over 2,000 jobs.
Durbin worked with the Obama Administration’s then Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar to officially establish the area as a National Wildlife Refuge in 2012. In Fiscal Year 2022, Durbin secured a $500,000 earmark for additional land acquisition in Hackmatack—which was used for the acquisition and transfer some of the Tamarack Farms to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
-30-