Dixon Waterfowl Refuge

This natural area was recently restored in 2001 after the lakes and floodplains spent several decades completely drained. It is now a 3,000-acre wildlife habitat with a diverse ecosystem of marshes, wetlands, savannahs, and prairies. You can wander around the boardwalks or climb up the 30-foot tall birding tower to see more than 270 birds that might fly by at any moment. In 2004, the refuge became a designated Important Bird Area of Illinois due to the rare sightings of threatened species that were spotted in the area. Due to the restoration, these creatures now had a safe place to live, feed, and breed.