Visitor Use & Perceptions of The Cache River Wetland Area

1. Visitor Use & Perceptions of The Cache River Wetland Area Julie Wittenborn-Sikorski SCI 503, Spring and Summer 2012

2. “Overall, land transformation represents the primary driving force in the loss of biological diversity world wide” Vitousek 1997 • due to extreme alterations of river systems, only 2% of rivers run unimpeded Vitousek 1997 • disturbance in the natural flow regime of a river system will also disturb the natural ecosystems and the biodiversity of the river Poff et al. 1977 • lack of ability of a river to flow out into flood plains may also disrupt life cycles of species dependant of the natural flooding cycle Poff et al. 1977 • wetland draining may actually cause flooding to become more sever

3. Loss of Biodiversity 35% of invertebrates 70% of plants 37% of fresh water fish 30% of amphibians 28% of reptiles 12% of birds 21% of mammals are threatened with extinction. (IUCN 2009)

4. (Gibbs 2000) A disproportionate number of these taxa are dependent on wetlands

5. 53% of which have been drained post European settlement of North America An estimated 90% of Illinois wetlands have been drained, primarily for agricultural purposes (McCorvie & Lant 1993) Post Creek Cut-off . Bisecting Upper & lower Cache River for drainage and logging

6. In 1913-1915, a drainage canal know as the Post Creek Cut-Off was constructed for the purpose of draining the swamp for agriculture and logging. This drainage canal bisected the Upper and Lower parts of The Cache River and diverted the majority of flow from the Upper Cache through the drainage canal and out into the Ohio River instead of allowing it to follow the natural, slower meander through the Lower Cache and out into the Mississippi River thus creating two watersheds.

8. A remnant of the boom times of the logging industry? The Cache River Wetlands is located primarily in Alexander and Pulaski Counties in extreme Southern Illinois. These counties are reported to have some of the highest poverty rates in the state. (U.S. census Bureau 2007)

9. Eco-tourism “ responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well–being of local people” TIES 1990

10. ECOTOURISM will: • Involve travelto natural areas • Minimize impact • Build environmental awareness • Provide direct financial benefits for conservation • Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people • Respect local culture • Support human rights and democratic movements Honey, 1990

11. Community Based Eco-Tourism “Voluntary wetland stewardship by local citizens”

12. Building Local Community Commitment to Wetland Restoration: A Case Study of the Cache River Wetlands in Southern Illinois, USA(Davenport 2010) Three dimensions of eco-sociological meanings: • the wetlands as a rare and treasured ecosystem • the wetlands as a revered historic and contemporary cultural landscape • the wetlands as a resource for local economic revitalization

13. Building Local Community Commitment to Wetland Restoration: A Case Study of the Cache River Wetlands in Southern Illinois, USA • (Davenport 2010) • Local participation in project planning is vital to building commitment • Project burdens should be identified and mitigated • Local cultural benefits should be emphasized and communicated • Uncertainty in restoration outcomes needs to be acknowledged and reduced where possible

14. Tourism/events Google search: (looking for Cache River Wetlands without naming it) • Southern Illinois Tourism – no listing • Southern Illinois Festivals – nothing listed • Tourism Bureau Illinois South – everything was north of us • Adventure Illinois – wineries and yard sales… • Alexander County – nothin’ (not even on the map!) • Pulaski County – nothin’ (at least Section Eight Woods and Heron Pond were noted on the map) • Shawnee Adventure Guides (SAG): http://www.shawneeadventureguides.com/Links/Links.html • Ecotourism Who Benefits lesson: http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/detail.asp?case_id=359&id=359

15. Current Study will be based on 2006 Study Rapid Assessment Management Information Report On Visitor Use and Perceptions Heron Pond Nature Preserve Cache River State Natural Area Illinois Dept of Natural Resource Study Conducted and Reported by Dr. Kenneth Chilman, Department of Forestry Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

16. Survey Sections: Observational Data (age estimates and number in group) Visitor’s past visit to CRW and present visit Visitor’s Choice of Recreation Settings Visitor Perception of Changes Occurring (at visit site) Visitor Perception of Use Densities Other Aspects of Visit to CRW (How did you learn about the area? Are visiting other places in the CRW on this trip?) Visitor Satisfaction with Visit (on a scale of 1-10) Additional Comments that you would like to pass along to the Area Manager? Visitor’s Address (town/state)

17. My Research Questions: Does the existence of the Cache River Wetlands Natural Area provide an educational opportunity for visitors which fosters support of wetland preservation and restoration? Does the existence of the Cache River Wetlands Natural Area provide opportunities for economic development for local citizens and the surrounding communities? Is it happening?

18. a question that I have going into the study… In relation to Community-based Eco-tourism and because the survey I will be doing only interviews the visitors to the site - which may or may not include some local citizens - Is there a follow up to the Davenport study going on and is there a way to combine/compare/contrast these to studies? Would it be helpful?