Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge

Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area spanning southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois, featuring wetlands, prairies, and woodlands. The refuge provides habitat for more than 200 bird species along with mammals, reptiles, and other wildlife.

The refuge began in 2012 with a 12-acre conservation easement donation from a private landowner. It has grown substantially through additional land acquisitions and community partnerships over the past decade.

The Friends of Hackmatack organization received the Refuge Friends Group of the Year award in 2024 for their conservation efforts.

The refuge offers several access points with walking trails, observation areas, and parking facilities. Spring and fall are the best times to visit when migratory birds pass through the region in large numbers.

The refuge applies a Cores and Corridors strategy that links separate habitat patches so animals can move freely between protected zones. This network design is critical for successful long-distance migration and population survival.

Location: McHenry County

Inception: 2012

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/hackmatack

GPS coordinates: 42.38194,-88.46306

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:07