We are the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. We are a non-profit organization that serves to conserve & enhance the natural and cultural resources, rural character and scenic beauty of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and to connect people to these resources.
The Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge was first established by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2012. The Refuge is located in McHenry County, IL and Walworth County, WI. The boundary employs a Cores and Corridors concept for wildlife preservation with a focus on migratory and grassland birds.
Exercise, fresh air, good company, and improving the quality of Hackmatack lands . . .it’s a great combination! See our Stewardship page for more information.
There are many ways to Support the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. Find our more about how you can be involved in our mission to conserve.
Visit Our News page for announcements, programs, events, community activities, and Board meetings.
Current Announcements
Cranes! A Presentation for World Migratory Bird Day
May 7, 2023
10 AM – 11 AM
Glacial Park Lost Valley Visitor Center
Route 31 & Harts Road, Ringwood IL
World Migratory Bird Day 2023
Learn all about birds at this special event, and join us for bird banding at Four Seasons Nature Preserve.
In Search of Eagles 2023
Saturday, January 21, 8-10 a.m.
McHenry Dam, Algonquin Dam, Carpentersville Dam, Lake Geneva
Art Show People’s Choice Winners
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WINNERS: ADULT ARTIST: $100 Award Elizabeth Higdon, "Ripples" STUDENT ARTIST: $50 Award Avery Becker, "Summer Sunset Flowers" Congratulations to our winners and to all of the artists who participated. We had an exceptional level of quality for...
How to Visit Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
We are a different kind of refuge, with a Cores & Corridors Concept for growing. Building this type of refuge takes time. It will take many patient years to grow, and will consist of three types of protected land that form a “donut” shape in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.
Together, Refuge Core Areas + Local Conservation Lands + Privately Owned Protected Lands will create the unique Hackmatck National Wildlife Refuge, which will provide protected space for migratory and grassland birds, native plants, and native animal species. Surrounding the refuge boundary lies the Greater Hackmatack Ecosystem, a network of areas on which conservation work is occurring, just outside the actual boundaries of the Refuge.
Areas of the Refuge Open to the Public
Goose Pond Corridor:
Turner Tract
86 acres of high-quality woodland that explodes with wildflowers in the spring, also containing re-created wetlands, and fields of prairie on previously cultivated land
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, N541 Co. Trunk H, Genoa City, WI.
Directions: From Genoa City, WI, take Highway H north 1/2 mi. out of town. There is a small parking lot. Look for the USFWS sign: Goose Pond Corridor
Trails: There are mowed trails through the woods and along the edge of the prairie.
Tamarack Core Area:
Blackmon Tract
11 acres induding a small woodland, opening up to a peaceful view of fields & wetland
Located west of the intersection of Hunter Dr. & Highway 12, Richmond, IL.
Directions: Park in public parking off Broadway St. in downtown Richmond and walk or bike the Prairie Path Trail going south, to get to this 11-acre tract. No parking on site. Look for the USFWS sign: Tamarack Core
Trails: There are bike racks and picnic tables available, and an accessible path to an overlook of the wetland area. Visitors are permitted to explore the property off-trail. The Prairie Path Trail runs through this property. Prairie Path Trail Map: https://ipp.org/trail-map/
Queen Anne Prairie Corridor:
Perricone-Schaid Tract
60 acres of land bisected by the Nippersink Creek; previously cultivated land which has been restored to prairie
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, Woodstock, IL.
Directions: Located off Route 47 between Hebron and Woodstock, southwest of the intersection of
Rte. 47 & Thayer Rd. Look for a parking area on the west side of
Rte. 47, approx. 0.4 miles south of Thayer Rd. USFWS sign: Queen Anne Prairie Core
Trails: There are no trails at this site. Visitors are permitted to explore the 60-acre property.
Friends of Hackmatack NWR
P.O. Box 413
Richmond, IL 60071
friendsofhackmatacknwr@gmail.com
Call 262-448-3558 to listen for the latest updates on upcoming activities. If you need to reach us, please leave a message and we will return your call.
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