Illinois Wildlife Comebacks-Otters and Sandhills Offer Hope for Other Threatened Species Submitted by The Nature Conservancy in Illinois CHICAGO-Without a habitable home, it's difficult to thrive or even survive. Consider the chronicle of river otters in Illinois. Before European settlers arrived, these long-whiskered swimmers were abundant in the state's many rivers, streams and lakes. But, by the late 1980s, fewer than 100 called Illinois home. Habitat loss was a primary contributor to the otter's near extinction in Illinois. Sandhill cranes suffered a similar plight with the destruction of Midwest wetlands. The distinctive red-crowned sandhills, which stand four-feet tall, had nearly disappeared in Illinois by the 1940s. Fortunately, conservation efforts have reversed the demise of these two species across the Midwest. Fun-loving river otters-known to slide down slippery banks and juggle rocks-can now be found in every Illinois county. Sandhill cranes are also flourishing. The bird's distinctive call-"garoo-a- a-a"-used to only be heard in Illinois when the birds flew over or stopped by on the way to or from Wisconsin during migration. Now sandhill cranes nest during the summer in Northern Illinois. Habitat restoration efforts by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and others have been critical to these comeback stories. "We've restored the habitat in areas that were severely impacted by or converted for agriculture and other land uses," said TNC's Elizabeth Bach, PhD, ecosystem restoration scientist. For instance, at TNC's Nachusa Grasslands Preserve, southwest of Rockford, 4,000 acres of former corn and soybean fields have been transformed back to tallgrass prairie. At another TNC preserve, Emiquon, southwest of Peoria, 6,000 acres of agricultural land was restored into one of the largest floodplain wetlands in the Midwest. Both preserves are open to visitors. "By bringing these areas back, we are creating habitats not only for river otters and sandhill cranes but for a huge suite of species, including those still in decline," Bach said. At Nachusa Grasslands, TNC staff and volunteers track about 25 threatened or endangered species that use the preserve's habitat, either part or all of the year. Whooping cranes are one of these threatened species. At five-feet tall, snowy white whoopers are the tallest birds in North America. During the 2022 Midwest Crane Count, only three whooping cranes were spotted in Illinois, compared to 478 sandhill cranes. A close up of a river otter. Matt Williams Two sandhill cranes. Jackie Riley How can Illinois residents and communities help threatened and endangered wildlife? "One thing you can do is think about how to keep rivers and waterways clean and healthy," Bach said. "For example, be thoughtful about how fertilizer that's used in gardens and yards, or salt sprinkled on winter ice, might get transported to a stream." Supporting legislation that would positively impact wildlife can also help. The Endangered Species Act, which turns 50 in 2023, helped save 99% of listed species. Looking ahead, the federal Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAWA) is awaiting a vote by the U.S. Senate. During the last Congress, a previous version of the act passed the House. RAWA allocates $1.4 billion annually to help slow extinction rates through supporting the work of state wildlife agencies. A whooping crane in flight. Thomas McDonald/TNC Photo Contest 2021 Volunteering at or visiting an Illinois natural area is another way to get involved-and possibly spot favorite wildlife. River otters have taken up residence at both Nachusa and Emiquon, and sandhill cranes typically stop by during spring and fall migration. Visit nature.org/Illinois for volunteer opportunities. Illinois Wildlife Comebacks - Otters and Sandhills Offer Hope for Other Threatened Species Submitted by The Nature Conservancy in Illinois CHICAGO - Without a habitable home , it's difficult to thrive or even survive . Consider the chronicle of river otters in Illinois . Before European settlers arrived , these long - whiskered swimmers were abundant in the state's many rivers , streams and lakes . But , by the late 1980s , fewer than 100 called Illinois home . Habitat loss was a primary contributor to the otter's near extinction in Illinois . Sandhill cranes suffered a similar plight with the destruction of Midwest wetlands . The distinctive red - crowned sandhills , which stand four - feet tall , had nearly disappeared in Illinois by the 1940s . Fortunately , conservation efforts have reversed the demise of these two species across the Midwest . Fun - loving river otters - known to slide down slippery banks and juggle rocks - can now be found in every Illinois county . Sandhill cranes are also flourishing . The bird's distinctive call- " garoo - a a - a " -used to only be heard in Illinois when the birds flew over or stopped by on the way to or from Wisconsin during migration . Now sandhill cranes nest during the summer in Northern Illinois . Habitat restoration efforts by The Nature Conservancy ( TNC ) and others have been critical to these comeback stories . " We've restored the habitat in areas that were severely impacted by or converted for agriculture and other land uses , " said TNC's Elizabeth Bach , PhD , ecosystem restoration scientist . For instance , at TNC's Nachusa Grasslands Preserve , southwest of Rockford , 4,000 acres of former corn and soybean fields have been transformed back to tallgrass prairie . At another TNC preserve , Emiquon , southwest of Peoria , 6,000 acres of agricultural land was restored into one of the largest floodplain wetlands in the Midwest . Both preserves are open to visitors . " By bringing these areas back , we are creating habitats not only for river otters and sandhill cranes but for a huge suite of species , including those still in decline , " Bach said . At Nachusa Grasslands , TNC staff and volunteers track about 25 threatened or endangered species that use the preserve's habitat , either part or all of the year . Whooping cranes are one of these threatened species . At five - feet tall , snowy white whoopers are the tallest birds in North America . During the 2022 Midwest Crane Count , only three whooping cranes were spotted in Illinois , compared to 478 sandhill cranes . A close up of a river otter . Matt Williams Two sandhill cranes . Jackie Riley How can Illinois residents and communities help threatened and endangered wildlife ? " One thing you can do is think about how to keep rivers and waterways clean and healthy , " Bach said . " For example , be thoughtful about how fertilizer that's used in gardens and yards , or salt sprinkled on winter ice , might get transported to a stream . " Supporting legislation that would positively impact wildlife can also help . The Endangered Species Act , which turns 50 in 2023 , helped save 99 % of listed species . Looking ahead , the federal Recovering America's Wildlife Act ( RAWA ) is awaiting a vote by the U.S. Senate . During the last Congress , a previous version of the act passed the House . RAWA allocates $ 1.4 billion annually to help slow extinction rates through supporting the work of state wildlife agencies . A whooping crane in flight . Thomas McDonald / TNC Photo Contest 2021 Volunteering at or visiting an Illinois natural area is another way to get involved - and possibly spot favorite wildlife . River otters have taken up residence at both Nachusa and Emiquon , and sandhill cranes typically stop by during spring and fall migration . Visit nature.org/Illinois for volunteer opportunities .