wetlands conservation

The Emiquon Nature Preserve in Fulton County is a carefully managed haven for many rare, native wetland species in the Illinois River Valley, but even it is not immune to the proliferation of invasive carp.

A U.S. Supreme Court decision last year stripping wetlands of most federal protections is drawing more attention to the threatened ecosystems, and what states can do in response.

Sandhill cranes have made a widespread regional recovery and been spotted more frequently in northern Illinois.The cranes, which nearly disappeared from…