Illinois drained two lakes for farmland for about 70 years; after conservationists bought Emiquon in 2000 and began restoring the wetlands, spring waterbird counts exceeded 119,000

Since its transformation from farmland into a flourishing wetland began in 2000, Emiquon Preserve has seen extraordinary returns in wildlife, famously attracting over 119,000 waterbirds during the spring counts. Although the project has greatly enhanced wetland habitats and ecological recovery, vigilant management is required to combat threats from invasive species and to maintain aging infrastructures, underlining the importance of ongoing human efforts in environmental sustainability.