fbpx
Wikipedia

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge

January 01, 1970

This article is about the National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. For the National Wildlife Refuge on the Cache River in Illinois, see Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

The Cache River National Wildlife Refuge is a 68,993 acre (223 km2) (2014) wildlife refuge in the state of Arkansas managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).[3] The refuge is one of the Ramsar wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention signed in 1971. It is one of the most important wintering area for ducks and the largest remaining tract of contiguous bottomland hardwood forest on the North American continent. In 2005, a possible sighting of the ivory-billed woodpecker, thought to be extinct, brought attention to the refuge.

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map of the United States
LocationArkansas, United States
Coordinates35°03′30″N 91°19′45″W / 35.05833°N 91.32917°W / 35.05833; -91.32917
Area68,993 acres (279.20 km2)[1]
Established1986
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteCache River NWR
Official nameCache-Lower White Rivers
Designated21 November 1989
Reference no.442[2]

In 2012, the FWS proposed the gradual expansion of the refuge up to a maximum of 287,574 acres (116,377 ha).[4]

History and description edit

 
A map of Cache River National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding area, including areas proposed for expansion.

In the 1970s, duck hunters prevented the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from dredging and straightening the Cache River. The conservation movement led to the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge in 1986. The nearby town of Stuttgart, Arkansas calls itself the "Rice and Duck Capital of the World." The National Wildlife Refuge runs along the flood-plain of the Cache River for 70 miles (100 km) from the Cache River's mouth at Clarendon, Arkansas to the town of Grubbs, Arkansas. The refuge encompasses land in the Arkansas counties of Jackson, Woodruff, Prairie, and Monroe.

The Cache River NWR has gradually expanded to its present size through acquisition from private owners of land. Most of the land in the refuge, and that planned for acquisition, had been drained and used for agriculture. The long-term goal is to re-forest former farming areas with native vegetation along the meandering sloughs, oxbow lakes, swamps, and bald cypress forests of the Cache River and Bayou De View. The Cache River NWR already preserves the largest tract of contiguous bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States.[5]

The refuge currently includes 47,000 acres (134 km2) of bottomland forest and sloughs. It also includes several oxbow lakes and 17,000 acres (30 km2) of formerly agricultural land now in the process of reforestation. The refuge is home to over 50 species of mammals including deer, raccoon, bobcat, and river otter. It also is home for nearly 240 species of birds including ducks, geese, wading birds, and other assorted migratory birds. The swampy bottomlands are also home to 48 species of reptiles and amphibians.

The Cache River refuge is the most important wintering area for mallard ducks in North America and also important for other duck and neo-tropic species. It hosts the only native black bear population in Arkansas.[6]

Other similar protected areas for wildlife located nearby along the Cache and White Rivers include the Bald Knob, Big Lake, and Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuges. Other conservation lands such as several state owned wildlife management areas are also nearby. The White River National Wildlife Refuge borders the Cache River Refuge on the south.

Ivory-billed woodpecker edit

On April 29, 2005, a team from Cornell Lab of Ornithology claimed they had taken a four-second video and recorded audio calls of the ivory-billed woodpecker, believed extinct for 60 years, in the refuge. The woodpecker has not been seen since and whether it was actually seen in 2005 remains a source of considerable debate. Much of the refuge was closed to the public following the announcement. After further research could not locate the woodpeckers, the refuge was reopened to the public in 2006.[7][8]

Recreation edit

The refuge attracts 120,000 visitors annually. Hunting, fishing, canoeing, wildlife observation, and photography are popular. Deer, small game, duck, and goose hunting is allowed during seasons in the autumn and winter. Fishing is allowed year-round.[9]

Expansion plans edit

In 2012 the FWS proposed a major expansion in the acreage of the Cache River Refuge. The boundaries of the area proposed by acquisition include 287,574 acres (116,377 ha) within which land would be purchased from willing buyers and subject to the availability of funds. The objectives of the expansion are to restore the natural ecosystem of land that had been converted to agriculture, to reforest cleared land, and provide a buffer for the present refuge which consists mostly of a narrow corridor along the Cache River and Bayou DeView.

Three priority areas for purchase were identified. First, the FWS proposes to acquire up to 38,483 acres between the Cache River and Bayou DeView rivers. The addition of these lands to the refuge would enable the two watersheds to be re-connected and the 85 percent of the land now farmed to be reforested. Secondly, the FWS proposes to purchase 32,600 acres to extend the refuge about 30 miles northward in a narrow strip, now only six percent forested, along Bayou DeView. The third priority area for purchase is the Cache River Peripheral with 29,997 acres which to partially connect the Cache River Refuge with protected lands along the White River. Unique to the Lower Valley of the Mississippi River about 13 percent of this area consists of sand dunes with vegetation adapted to dryer climates.

As there are several hundred landowners in the priority areas, acquisition of the land will likely take many years.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Statistical Data Tables 9/30/2014" http://www.fws.gov/refuges/land/PDF/2014_Annual_Report_of_LandDateTables.pdf, accessed 1/14/2015
  2. ^ "Cache-Lower White Rivers". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Cache River expansion Proposal" http://www.fws.gov/southeast/cacheriverexpansion/overview.html, accessed July 8, 2013
  4. ^ "Cache River expansion Proposal. http://www.fws.gov/southeast/cacheriverexpansion/overview.html, accessed July 8, 2013
  5. ^ "Cache River National Wildlife Refuge" The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3503, accessed 8 July 2013
  6. ^ GORP http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/cache-river-national-wildlife-refuge-outdoor-pp2-guide-cid357837.html 2013-06-11 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 9 July 2013
  7. ^ Ivory Bill or Not? The Proof Flits Tantalizingly Out of Sight - New York Times - August 30, 2005
  8. ^ Scott, J. M., F. L. Ramsey, M. Lammertink, K. V. Rosenberg, R. Rohrbaugh, J. A. Wiens, and J. M. Reed. 2008. When is an “extinct” species really extinct? Gauging the search efforts for Hawaiian forest birds and the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Avian Conservation and Ecology - Écologie et conservation des oiseaux 3#2): 3. [online] URL: http://www.ace-eco.org/vol3/iss2/art3/
  9. ^ "Cache River National Wildlife Refuge" The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3503, accessed 8 July 2013
  10. ^ "Cache River expansion Proposal" http://www.fws.gov/southeast/cacheriverexpansion/overview.html, accessed 8 July 2013

External links edit

  • Cache River National Wildlife Refuge - official site
  • Refuges

January 01, 1970
cache, river, national, wildlife, refuge, this, article, about, national, wildlife, refuge, arkansas, national, wildlife, refuge, cache, river, illinois, cypress, creek, national, wildlife, refuge, acre, 2014, wildlife, refuge, state, arkansas, managed, united. This article is about the National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas For the National Wildlife Refuge on the Cache River in Illinois see Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge The Cache River National Wildlife Refuge is a 68 993 acre 223 km2 2014 wildlife refuge in the state of Arkansas managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service FWS 3 The refuge is one of the Ramsar wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention signed in 1971 It is one of the most important wintering area for ducks and the largest remaining tract of contiguous bottomland hardwood forest on the North American continent In 2005 a possible sighting of the ivory billed woodpecker thought to be extinct brought attention to the refuge Cache River National Wildlife RefugeIUCN category IV habitat species management area Map of the United StatesLocationArkansas United StatesCoordinates35 03 30 N 91 19 45 W 35 05833 N 91 32917 W 35 05833 91 32917Area68 993 acres 279 20 km2 1 Established1986Governing bodyU S Fish and Wildlife ServiceWebsiteCache River NWRRamsar WetlandOfficial nameCache Lower White RiversDesignated21 November 1989Reference no 442 2 In 2012 the FWS proposed the gradual expansion of the refuge up to a maximum of 287 574 acres 116 377 ha 4 Contents 1 History and description 2 Ivory billed woodpecker 3 Recreation 4 Expansion plans 5 References 6 External linksHistory and description edit nbsp A map of Cache River National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding area including areas proposed for expansion In the 1970s duck hunters prevented the U S Army Corps of Engineers from dredging and straightening the Cache River The conservation movement led to the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge in 1986 The nearby town of Stuttgart Arkansas calls itself the Rice and Duck Capital of the World The National Wildlife Refuge runs along the flood plain of the Cache River for 70 miles 100 km from the Cache River s mouth at Clarendon Arkansas to the town of Grubbs Arkansas The refuge encompasses land in the Arkansas counties of Jackson Woodruff Prairie and Monroe The Cache River NWR has gradually expanded to its present size through acquisition from private owners of land Most of the land in the refuge and that planned for acquisition had been drained and used for agriculture The long term goal is to re forest former farming areas with native vegetation along the meandering sloughs oxbow lakes swamps and bald cypress forests of the Cache River and Bayou De View The Cache River NWR already preserves the largest tract of contiguous bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the United States 5 The refuge currently includes 47 000 acres 134 km2 of bottomland forest and sloughs It also includes several oxbow lakes and 17 000 acres 30 km2 of formerly agricultural land now in the process of reforestation The refuge is home to over 50 species of mammals including deer raccoon bobcat and river otter It also is home for nearly 240 species of birds including ducks geese wading birds and other assorted migratory birds The swampy bottomlands are also home to 48 species of reptiles and amphibians The Cache River refuge is the most important wintering area for mallard ducks in North America and also important for other duck and neo tropic species It hosts the only native black bear population in Arkansas 6 Other similar protected areas for wildlife located nearby along the Cache and White Rivers include the Bald Knob Big Lake and Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuges Other conservation lands such as several state owned wildlife management areas are also nearby The White River National Wildlife Refuge borders the Cache River Refuge on the south Ivory billed woodpecker editOn April 29 2005 a team from Cornell Lab of Ornithology claimed they had taken a four second video and recorded audio calls of the ivory billed woodpecker believed extinct for 60 years in the refuge The woodpecker has not been seen since and whether it was actually seen in 2005 remains a source of considerable debate Much of the refuge was closed to the public following the announcement After further research could not locate the woodpeckers the refuge was reopened to the public in 2006 7 8 Recreation editThe refuge attracts 120 000 visitors annually Hunting fishing canoeing wildlife observation and photography are popular Deer small game duck and goose hunting is allowed during seasons in the autumn and winter Fishing is allowed year round 9 Expansion plans editIn 2012 the FWS proposed a major expansion in the acreage of the Cache River Refuge The boundaries of the area proposed by acquisition include 287 574 acres 116 377 ha within which land would be purchased from willing buyers and subject to the availability of funds The objectives of the expansion are to restore the natural ecosystem of land that had been converted to agriculture to reforest cleared land and provide a buffer for the present refuge which consists mostly of a narrow corridor along the Cache River and Bayou DeView Three priority areas for purchase were identified First the FWS proposes to acquire up to 38 483 acres between the Cache River and Bayou DeView rivers The addition of these lands to the refuge would enable the two watersheds to be re connected and the 85 percent of the land now farmed to be reforested Secondly the FWS proposes to purchase 32 600 acres to extend the refuge about 30 miles northward in a narrow strip now only six percent forested along Bayou DeView The third priority area for purchase is the Cache River Peripheral with 29 997 acres which to partially connect the Cache River Refuge with protected lands along the White River Unique to the Lower Valley of the Mississippi River about 13 percent of this area consists of sand dunes with vegetation adapted to dryer climates As there are several hundred landowners in the priority areas acquisition of the land will likely take many years 10 References edit Statistical Data Tables 9 30 2014 http www fws gov refuges land PDF 2014 Annual Report of LandDateTables pdf accessed 1 14 2015 Cache Lower White Rivers Ramsar Sites Information Service Retrieved 25 April 2018 Cache River expansion Proposal http www fws gov southeast cacheriverexpansion overview html accessed July 8 2013 Cache River expansion Proposal http www fws gov southeast cacheriverexpansion overview html accessed July 8 2013 Cache River National Wildlife Refuge The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History amp Culture http www encyclopediaofarkansas net encyclopedia entry detail aspx entryID 3503 accessed 8 July 2013 GORP http www gorp com parks guide cache river national wildlife refuge outdoor pp2 guide cid357837 html Archived 2013 06 11 at the Wayback Machine accessed 9 July 2013 Ivory Bill or Not The Proof Flits Tantalizingly Out of Sight New York Times August 30 2005 Scott J M F L Ramsey M Lammertink K V Rosenberg R Rohrbaugh J A Wiens and J M Reed 2008 When is an extinct species really extinct Gauging the search efforts for Hawaiian forest birds and the Ivory billed Woodpecker Avian Conservation and Ecology Ecologie et conservation des oiseaux 3 2 3 online URL http www ace eco org vol3 iss2 art3 Cache River National Wildlife Refuge The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture http www encyclopediaofarkansas net encyclopedia entry detail aspx entryID 3503 accessed 8 July 2013 Cache River expansion Proposal http www fws gov southeast cacheriverexpansion overview html accessed 8 July 2013External links editCache River National Wildlife Refuge official site Refuges Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cache River National Wildlife Refuge amp oldid 1011392437, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.