FREEPORT — The Northwest Illinois Audubon Society’s March program scheduled for 7 p.m. March 2 is entitled “Mussels, Lake Sturgeon and Hine’s Emerald Dragonflies, Oh My!” and features a virtual tour of the Genoa (WI) National Fish Hatchery (NFH). Presenter Orey Eckes, lead fish biologist employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will conduct the tour. NFH is one of the nation’s most diverse hatcheries and has played a major role in conserving aquatic species since its founding in 1932.
The hatchery rears more than 26 aquatic species of varying life stages equating to more than 40 million fish, eggs, and mussels to support management, restoration, and research objectives nationwide. The presentation will describe their projects with species such as the Higgins eye pearly mussel, lake sturgeon, coaster brook trout, Hine’s Emerald dragonfly.
Eckes’ experience and dedication to preserving and enhancing fisheries resources led him to a career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With a master’s degree from UW-La Crosse in biology aquatic science, his interests include research for depleted fish species (specifically, lake sturgeon) to develop fish management techniques that aid in species recovery. Those who wish to participate should email nwilaudubon@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link. The meeting begins with chapter announcements followed by the feature presentation. For more information, visit the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society website at nwilaudubon.org.
The Northwest Illinois Audubon Society will hold a scavenger hunt at Oakdale Nature Preserve from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on March 13. This activity, taking place one week before the equinox, encourages families to explore Oakdale by searching for certain tangible and intangible objects. Participants should meet by 10 a.m. at the parking lot near the Mogle Center. Masks and social distancing are required. The program is free of charge and open to the public. Participants must call leader Richard Benning at 815-865-5279 to register. Oakdale is located on Baileyville Road south of Freeport. For more information, visit the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society website at nwilaudubon.org.
