INHF 25th Anniversary Event #23
Mississippi Blufflands
Eco Cruise

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Sit back and relax while the Blue Heron Eco-Cruise pontoon boat takes you on a peaceful, 75-minute ride on the mighty Mississippi River. Watch for birds and other wildlife, dodge barges and view the river's forested bluffs (dressed in their fall colors!)--all while naturalists onboard answer your questions about this special ecosystem.

Event details
This Eco-Cruise will be held on the Blue Heron pontoon boat, owned and managed by the Clinton County Conservation Board. The cruise will depart from the South Sabula Lakes Campground, located on the south edge of the town of Sabula. This park is managed by the Jackson County Conservation Board. There will be four cruises with a maximum of 25 people per trip, so you must pre-register with the Clinton County Conservation Board by e-mail or phone (563-847-7202) to reserve your space. Cruises depart at 1 p.m., 2:30, 4 and 5:30 and last 75 to 90 minutes. Lifejackets are provided.

The cruise is led by a Clinton County naturalist who can cover topics such as river navigation, wildlife habitat, hunting, fishing, recreational boating, gravel pits, barge traffic, suburban sprawl, nuclear power plants, camping, endangered species and water quality on the Mississippi River. An Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation staff member will also discuss the larger blufflands ecosystem and what INHF and other organizations are doing to protect it. Binoculars are provided to each passenger, but bring your own if you have a favorite pair.

Participants will travel under the C.M.St.P and P railroad bridge. This railroad bridge has to swing open to allow tows and other large vessels to pass. The tour will pass by the National Register of Historic Sites limestone house built by Jeremiah Wood, a retired riverboat captain. In the Sabula slough the treetop nests of a heron rookery will be visible, as well as the herons themselves and other residents of the sloughs. On the Illinois side of the river, participants will view a barge grain terminal and the Spring Lake Wildlife Area, a waterfowl management area that is part of the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife Refuge. Herons, geese, barges, trains, people, fish and turtles--they are all part of the Mississippi River and its backwater areas. Most or all of these residents and users will be encountered on this journey.

NOTE: If you can't make this particular trip (or if all seats are already taken), ask Clinton CCB about joining one of their regular weekly rides on the Blue Heron-or setting up a special group ride. For more information (and photos), visit the Blue Heron web page.

The story behind this place
When it comes to internationally noted natural attractions, the Mississippi River is as famous as the Grand Canyon--and the stretch along Iowa contains some spectacular scenery--especially in fall colors. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation led the creation of the four-state Mississippi River Blufflands Alliance in 1993 to focus on the protection and preservation of the bluffs along the Mississippi River in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Six non-profit partners in the alliance work directly with landowners and other organizations and agencies, with an emphasis on assisting voluntary, permanent land protection and land stewardship in the Blufflands. This tour explores the southern portion of the Blufflands Alliance region.

According to an entry in Scenic America's 2000 Last Chance Landscapes publication, "The unique beauty of the Upper Mississippi Blufflands Region of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois is different from any other areas in these states. In addition to the scenic qualities of the Blufflands, the area contains historic towns, important archaeological sites, small working farms and rare ecosystems. The region is experiencing tremendous pressure from residential development and resource extraction and needs a regional strategy to protect its special qualities."

Natural lands along the river are not just beautiful; they are also crucial to the survival of migratory birds. The Mississippi Flyway is a major international migratory route, and the neotropical migrant "jungle birds" that winter in countries south of the U.S. rely on Iowa's habitat for nesting and for travel farther north.

Most of us experience this region through our auto windows or at certain overlooks. This eco-cruise will give you a new view of the wildlife habitats and scenic views that INHF and others are working to protect along the Mighty Mississippi.

Partner Information
The Clinton County Conservation Board's Environmental Education Program offers field trips to nine different nature areas including Eden Valley Nature Center, Manikowski Prairie and Mockridge Wildlife Preserve, and their in-class discussion programs cover topics ranging from Astronomy to local fossils to snowshoeing. The Board operates the Blue Heron Eco-Cruise pontoon boat as well as two nature centers using three professional naturalists.
conservation@clintoncountyiowa.com

The Jackson County Conservation Board operates several parks and campgrounds within Jackson County. Their South Sabula Lakes Park offers electrical and non-electrical camping sites, modern restrooms and showers, picnicking, fishing, and boating access to the 150-acre South Sabula Lake and the Mississippi River. Call JCCB at 563/652-3783 for more information.
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Site Map
N/A

Driving Directions
From US Hwy 64/52 in Sabula, turn south onto Broad Street. Travel 6 blocks south, then under the railroad overpass, following Broad Street into the campground. The boat ramp and parking is at the south end of the campground. Look for pre-boarding information and educational displays by the boat ramp and/or in the nearby shelter. Restrooms are also located nearby.

Visitor Info
Jackson County Welcome Center
800-342-1837
jcedc@iowatelecom.net

Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce
800-828-5702
clintonchamber@mcleodusa.net

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