Apple River

Protected Lands - Apple River Canyon State Park, McKeague Nature Preserve, Thompson Prairie Nature Preserve, Salem Unit, and protected lands of the Lost Mound-Hanover Bluff-Mississippi Palisades Conservation Opportunity Area (see below) along the lower Apple River

Priority Resources - coolwater streams and fishes, freshwater mussels, primary habitats; Trout Unlimited's nascent Driftless Area Restoration Initiative recognizes the need for restoration of hydrologic function, condition, and aquatic populations to coolwater streams, and the opportunity of broad scale interest in brook trout stream restoration within the Driftless area.

Conservation Philosophy - protect, manage and restore the natural communities of the area and provide for compatible recreational activities. Restore the continuum of the Upper Apple River Illinois Natural Areas Inventory site (coolwater stream with significant primary communities and associated wildlife habitats) to the Lower Apple River Illinois Natural Areas Inventory site (mussel beds, bottomland habitat and significant cultural sites) and the Lost Mound-Hanover Bluff-Mississippi Palisades Conservation Opportunity Area.

Partners - The Prairie Enthusiasts, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Jo Daviess Natural Areas Guardians, Driftless Area Partnership, Natural Lands Institute, Blufflands Alliance, National Wild Turkey Federation, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service