The Conservation Fund Opens Door to Public Recreation Access in Southern Illinois

FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL — The Conservation Fund has protected land that will create a pathway to public access for Illinois’s newest state fish and wildlife area.

Located along the Big Muddy River, Orient Bottoms State Fish and Wildlife Area was acquired in 2024 by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with the goal to offer opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. However, due to legal and safety concerns in entering the 1,728-acre property, the area is not yet open to the public. The Conservation Fund stepped in to purchase neighboring land on behalf of the Illinois DNR that can be transformed into a public entrance to Orient Bottoms, while expanding the boundaries of the fish and wildlife area itself. With this 346-acre purchase, the area will grow to over 2,000 acres.

“This land is the missing puzzle piece that will connect residents of southern Illinois and beyond to the things they love to do outdoors,” said Jim Johannsen, Illinois State Director, “We’re thrilled to help complete the puzzle and ensure Orient Bottoms is a place that everyone can one day enjoy.”

In addition to connecting visitors to more outdoor adventures, this land is also home to a wide variety of floodplain forest and wetland species. Not only have 35 bird species have been observed on the property — including the great blue heron, the red-bellied woodpecker, and the bald eagle — but the project also protects habitat for beavers and the federally-endangered Indiana bat.

The Conservation Fund will hold the land temporarily before transferring to the Illinois DNR, likely in 2027.

About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.