Crains Island I

Conserving Rare River Habitat

The Mississippi River once meandered over a broad floodplain and comprised a complex mosaic of habitats in its oxbows, sloughs and channels. Protecting this diverse and diminished habitat along the main stem of the river is critical to the survival of many fish and wildlife species.

ALC’s Crain’s Island project, just across the river from Chester, Illinois, conserves remnant wetlands and forested bottomlands containing native oak, elm and cottonwood. Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ALC acquired 400 acres for wetlands restoration and conservation and is currently working with another landowner to obtain an additional 160 acres. One of eight conservation projects along a 20-mile stretch of the Middle Mississippi River, Crain’s Island is the centerpiece of ALC’s efforts to acquire and restore some of the river’s most ecologically significant areas.